Montrose, if you don’t want to spend alot of time dusting or polishing, definitely get marble or granite top. You can use many bases (even bases that come with glass top and replace the glass with marble/granite). Not only does it look exquisite, but no more fingerprints and dust showing everytime someone goes near it. Replaced glass tops here and never looked back. Make sure to get THIN marble/granite though and not thick as the heavier, the easier it is to topple and more dangerous if you do. 1/4" to 1/2" should be about right. You won’t regret it!

Okay…I’m actually going to ANSWER this…lol…best I can…
In my opinion you have to 1st take into account the SPACE where your table will be located.
MANY tables come with available ’’leaves’’ whereby you can USE those when you entertain you can put the leaves in to extend available seating space.
Regarding cleaning…well if you REALLY want it easy to clean you can always order and purchase a glass top (normally those have to be specially made) and then a spritz of Windex or the like is all you’ll need, PLUS the wood, if wood will be protected, however the BAD news is the glass would ONLY fit a table without leaves.
There are WONDERFUL tables that come with leaves ‘’built into’’ them whereby you open them up and UP pops a leaf.
There are fantastic antique tables on the market too, which if you think about it, even with shipping, those kinds of tables could be considered an INVESTMENT as well as YOU’D be recycling! THINK about it!
Delivery options ARE important! Such as IF one buys an antique that CAN be ’’Crated’’ it’s WORTH the investment to DO so!
ASK questions, and NOT only from the Seller, but the possible experts you can find, online about deliveries, types of wood, marble maintainance – if you go w/marble top, and the like!
Wood is warmer than marble, but marble is classy and classic!
The darker the wood the MORE dust will show!
Painted wood tables, if you’re looking for a color, might chip eventually, keep that in mind.
I have shopped both offline and online for major things around the home, and I’ve been EQUALLY satisfied with having a local store deliver as I have had an online purchase of furnishings, but I did my research or homework regarding deliveries, 1st!
I wish you all the best! I hope you will find a table right here on Bonanzle that fits your needs!
Good Luck, Be Blessed! Dee :)

Actually, I’ve heard that round tables can accomodate more diners for the amount of square footage it takes up, but only if it’s a pedestal style—not if the legs are positioned on the edges of the table!
Tables w/ leaves are awesome for accomodating more folks occasionally! But yes, Dee is right, you can only get as big a table as your space will accomodate.
And I personally think that a sideboard or some equivalent piece of furniture is a wonderful addition to a dining area if you have room for it—space for tablecloths or placemats, serving pieces that aren’t used often, as well as excellent space if you enjoy offering buffet style dining service!
Sounds like fun! Are you gonna show us some pix, MontrosE!?!

All I am going to add is that I think a round table has a much “warmer” feel to it and promotes conversation and equality. Remember King Arthur’s round table that he and the knights gathered at? Everyone was equal and there was no “head of the table”. Sounds corny, but it’s true!

A square table is more roomy than a round one. Get one with spare leaves to make it into a larger rectangular table, when necessary. If the table is wide enough, you can squeeze in two diners at each end, when you end up with and occasional large crowd.

Edited to respond to Loneelk’s answer.

I have a rectangular table that is 4’ wide, and expands with two leaves, to be 4 × 8. Although the corners are not square on it, there is still room to sit 2 people at each end, with lots of leg room. It is a pedestal table. Because the table is 4’ wide, even with a large crowd, there is always loads of room in the centre of the table, to put plates of food, etc.

I think a round table, unless it’s quite large, would have people’s legs crowded in the middle.

I also have a large sideboard, which will hold extra dishes if we have a big crowd.

OMGosh, you guys really got some tips I’ve never really considered. I value your opinions much.

…keep’em coming…

Pics of my new addition? OK, I can do that once I’m fully in next month…

I’m a rectangle table gal. I love wood. I still have the same dining room table for 38 years. The great thing about wood is that you can refinish it when it starts getting old and you have a new table again. I always have a lot of people at my home and love sitting everyone down. Tableclothes cover flaws. I have them for every occasion. I have sat up to 45 people in my living/dining area using rectangular folding tables and matching tableclothes. Every year I buy a few new wood folding chairs. It seems like the family is forever growing. Wood is timeless.

NOTHING but a round table!
You always can add a person or two!!
It’s so much easier on the eye too!

I have had both a rectangle and a round. I prefer round because it is easier to add a couple more people, plus I find it more intimate when entertaining friends or family. I also like the pedestal type as it is also easy for adding chairs.

I had found great deals on most of my furniture by buying direct from the manufacturers warehouses in NC. You can also check on CL, my sister sells a lot of her furniture on there and it is practically never used. You can also check with Goodwill in an upscale neighborhood. I found a great pair of designer lamps at the one in Westport, Connecticut – I just could not believe the fabulous stuff that was there.

Although wood and or marble are beautiful, if you have a small space or an open living/dining combination – a nice beveled glass top would not overcrowd your room.

I prefer a round table also but it depends on the size room you’re furnishing.I’m a “wood girl” too but I do love the glass top on tables.I think it depends on your decor & the look you’re trying to achieve ie- traditional, modern or country.. I think the important thing is the flow of the room & the furniture lending itself to the style of the room..Just my opinion though.. Good luck Montrose,I’m sure whatever you pick will look stunning..

I prefer a round table personally, because it gives more of a family feel to it. My wife and I bought a square table that is higher than most, and of course, high bar stool chairs as well. I don’t like it at all.

I have to go with Attic Collection’s suggestion here. A drop leaf table may be about your best answer. When you are by yourself, you can have both leaves down and have a smaller surface which makes moving around the space easier. If you have a couple of guests, you simply raise the sides and you end up with a lot more space. If you have a larger group over, you can add leaves to the center (if you get a table that has that as well) and suddenly you can pack 10 people and a 5 course Thanksgiving meal on it. But one thing that no one has mentioned yet is with whatever you get, check the construction closely. Examine how it was made. Ask a lot of questions. You can find plenty of cheap (relatively) ones that look pretty when you are standing next to it in the show room, but is it going to look as nice 5 years later in your house after actual use? Unless you are like an old boss of mine who actually told me he liked buying new dining sets every 5 years or so…..

Used/antique sets are also another good way to go. You can usually find them for a good price/particularly if they aren’t in perfect shape. Restoring or refinishing them yourself usually isn’t particularly hard if you are the handy sort. If not, you can take it to a professional refinisher or custom woodworker. Loose joints can be easily fixed. Scratches can be hidden. Loose veneer can easily be be reattached (as long as it is all there). Missing veneer can be fixed, but that is a whole lot harder.

I’m not sure how old my set is. It was purchased used in 1952 by my grandparents and I inherited it upon my grandmother’s death. The finish started to go and the joints were coming loose on some of the chairs. I ended up stripping it, knocking apart all of the chairs, glued it all back together, and finishing it with Behlen Rockhard Table Top Varnish. It took a couple of weeks (the table is over 100" with all of the leaves and 12 chairs) and the varnish needs to sit for a week before light use (it will take over a month to completely cure), but the results were well worth it.