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Custom Made Furniture | FAQ

What Is The Process Of Ordering Custom Made Furniture From Hardman Design?
What Is The Lead Time On A Custom Made Piece Of Furniture?
Which Pieces Of Furniture Can Hardman Design Custom Build?
Which materials can be used in a Hardman Design Custom Build Piece Of Furniture?
What type of oil is used to finish off a Hardman Design piece?
Does My Custom Built Piece Come With A Warranty?
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Size Guide:

So, you want to buy a dining table. It might sound obvious, but one of the most important things to consider is the size of your desired piece, and how it will look in your room.

There are numerous factors which can shape your decision, such as the size of your space, the positioning of your table, how much space the legs take up and where they are positioned, and how you plan to use your table - from small family meals to large social gatherings.

It’s certainly not a decision which should be taken lightly; picking the right dimensions is fundamental to creating the best visual and practical balance for your room.

Hardman Design can custom build tables to provide you with a bespoke piece for your needs. 

This guide will provide you with some key information to help you pick the right sized table.

The Size Of Your Dining Table: Number Of Seats

One of the biggest considerations is knowing how many people will generally be sitting around your table, and how many seats you want to accommodate.

As a general rule of thumb, these are the rough sizes depending on the number of seats:

2

Seater

4

Seater

6

Seater

8

Seater

10

Seater

12

Seater

Minimum
60 x 70cm

Minimum 120 x 70cm

Minimum 180 x 80cm Minimum 220 x 90cm

Minimum 270 x 90cm Minimum 330 x 90cm

These dimensions are based on rectangular tables. Hardman Design’s dining tables are hand built in this shape, but we can custom-build tables for a bespoke shape, size and finish.

Rectangular tables have multiple benefits; great for their practicality, functionality and comfort.

A rectangle table generally fits well into the design of a room, and can typically accommodate more people and more space for dishes - especially compared to a circular table.

Benches, too, work well with a rectangular table and are a great idea to maximise this space, as they enable people to squeeze up, if necessary.

A rectangular table can also be a versatile solution within a room, looking great against a wall or window, or taking pride of place in the centre of a room.

Rectangular tables tend to have their legs positioned on the four corners - instead of in the middle like many circular tables - helping to give each diner more comfortable leg room underneath the table.

Generally speaking, a standard table is 71 to 76cm in height, so when it comes to seating, opt for a chair or bench from around 43 to 58cm from floor to seat.

Hardman Design handcrafts a range of dining benches and chairs. Visit our seating collection to find your perfect seat for your table.

Choosing The Right Size Table For Your Room

Knowing how the table will fit in in your room is another key consideration. For instance, how it will work in relation to other pieces of furniture, its proximity to doorways and walls, and allowing enough passing space.

As a general rule of thumb, you will need a minimum of 30 to 36 inches (76cm) for clearance space, measured from the nearest obstruction - whether it be a wall, door, window or furniture - to your chairs.

Where relevant, allow 120cm square for an entrance or doorway. If you’re putting your table into an open-plan area, this isn’t something to factor in.

To ensure you do not choose a dining table size that is too small, don’t leave more than 6ft (183cm) from the edge of the room, at least on one side.

How To Estimate The Size Of Your Dining Table

Perhaps one of the best ways of selecting the most appropriate-sized dining table for your room is mocking up how your furniture will look. This will really help you experience the feel of your table and how it will work in your space.

There are a number of ways that this can be done, including using masking tape or cardboard to replicate the size of your desired table.

For a more complete picture, you can even fill this space with books/newspaper to gauge the height and mass of the table.

Aside from recreating the look and size of your table, you can also map out the room to scale on paper, including walls, walkways and other furniture.

It is important that you don’t just measure the size of your table; instead, think about how it will work in practice. Questions you need to be asking include, have I left enough room for doorways and drawers to open? Have people got enough space to push their chairs out? Can they walk behind pushed-out chairs?

This type of planning will create a clearer picture and help ensure you select the right-sized table for both the look and functionality of your space.  

Extendable Dining Tables

Extendable dining tables are a great option.

In fact, this type of furniture has enjoyed something of a revival in recent times.

And when looking at the benefits, it is easy to understand why extendable dining tables are en vogue.

Highlights include:

  • Dynamic Use Of Space: One of the biggest advantages of an extendable dining table is its dynamic change in size, starting in a smaller form before easily increasing in size, when needed. This functionality is a big space saver and means that a larger dining table does not dominate your room; but can be expanded, when needed, and can be easily put back to its original form. Of course, take the size of the extension into consideration when deciding which option to go for, and factor this into any measurements pre-purchase.
  • Plenty of space: Hosting a social gathering or entertaining extra family members? Then extend your table for extra space. And that’s the great thing about this type of furniture, extending dining tables enable you to expand the table when you need a couple of extra seats. And the dynamic increase in space isn’t only beneficial for meal times or gatherings. It can also be useful for other functions, such as if you require your table to double up as a desk as part of a home office, or if the kids need extra space for homework/hobbies.
  • Available in different sizes: Hardman Design’s extendable tables are available in a range of sizes, providing you with plenty of versatility. When picking the size, consider how many you want to seat and how often you are likely to extend the table. For instance, our Mira Dining Table can have extension leaves of 60cm or 70cm - or can be custom built - so the size of the extension depends on your needs and your space.
  • Beauty: Extendable Dining Tables are attractive additions to the house. Typically, the leaves or extension panels are either hidden within the fabric of the table, or can be added by sliding the leaves into place at each end of the table. This is certainly the case with Hardman Design’s extendable dining tables. What’s more, our signature collection tables can be built to convert into an extendable table, ensuring you benefit from the aesthetic beauty of our handcrafted, best-selling pieces, as well as the functionality of an extending dining table.

How To Choose The Right Sized Dining Table - Summary

Selecting the best-sized table takes some well thought-out planning, considering how you plan to use it and the space you wish to place it in.

But with some quick calculations before purchase, you can ensure you choose the correct piece which really sets off your room and becomes an important focal point of your house.

View Hardman Design’sdining table collection, with all pieces handcrafted from locally-sourced and sustainable materials. Each item can also becustom madeto provide you with a bespoke solution for your needs.

Alternatively,contact usto speak to our team for some advice.

Best Wood For Dining Tables

At Hardman Design, we take pride in building handmade quality dining tables from locally-sourced and sustainable wood. 

Our furniture is most commonly crafted from oak, walnut, and ash, although we do custom-made pieces, too.

These three natural wood types are quality choices in their own right - combining strength with gorgeous aesthetics - but which one is best suited to your needs?

It is an important question. After all, a dining table is a big purchase: a long-term investment, a focal point of your dining room or kitchen, and a gathering spot for your family and friends.

To help you decide, this blog explores the unique characteristics of oak, walnut and Ash.  

Oak

Classic, strong, versatile, and naturally beautiful - you can’t go wrong with oak.

This renowned wood has long been associated with use around the home, dating back many centuries, and is just as popular today.

As such, oak’s timeless nature looks as comfortable in contemporary settings as it does in traditional décor.

Durability

One of oak’s most distinguishing features is its durability; renowned for its strength and resistance to decay, liquids, heat, and surface blemishes. These characteristics make it a firm favourite, especially for people looking for a long-term investment. Oak is also a particularly good choice for families, and ensures maintenance is minimal.

Oak’s durability is a result of the trees’ slow growth, making the wood extremely dense, adding to its quality. 

In fact, oak performs well in the Janka hardness test, which charts the resistance of different wood types to denting and wear. Or to be more specific, it measures the force required to partially embed a small steel ball into the sample of wood. 

The results of this test show that oak is more resistant than woods such as walnut, teak, and cherry.  

Colour

Natural oak can take on virtually any hue, from light beige and yellow through brown and red. This colour diversity makes it easier to match the colour palette of your dining room and kitchen.

Over time, oak pieces have a tendency to change colour, adopting more darker, amber tones. This is caused by exposure to oxygen and UV light. However, this shift is subtle, and can, in fact add to the character of the piece and even enhance its appearance over time. Depending on your preference, we can apply a UV protection finish to our oak tables, when requested.

Hardman Design also builds smoked oak tables, such as the Carolina Smoked Oak dining table. We use a special manufacturing process to fume the oak; causing it to darken and draw out the rich detail of the grain.

Finish

Thanks to its natural beauty and hard-wearing nature, oak is gorgeous in its natural state, especially with character pieces filled with knots.

However, oak’s light tones make it great for adding a variety of finishes; whether that is stained or with a clear, natural finish. This makes it ideal for both modern and traditional furniture. 

Grain And Detailing

Oak has a swirling or striped grain. It also rates as open-pored, as it has wide, large cells, and many pores.

Oak can vary in detailing, with wild oak, for instance, having plenty of knots in varying sizes.

Eco-friendly

Oak trees grow in abundance, with around 450 species worldwide. Oak wood is generally considered to be an eco-friendly furniture choice because it is durable and long-lasting, helping to prolong its usability and keeping it out of landfills.

Hardman Design has also committed to a tree planting campaign, to ensure sustainability, and we use locally-sourced wood, where possible.

View the Hardman Design oak dining table range.

Walnut

Walnut is one of the most highly-sought after types of wood; prized by woodworkers and revered by fine furniture lovers.

Indeed, walnut adds a touch of class and style to any décor, and as such, it generally comes with a higher price tag.

Its strength, grain, and rich tapestry of colours make it a popular choice.  

Hardman Design handcrafts its furniture from two types of walnut, European walnut and American walnut. 

Durability

Walnut is a strong, hard and durable wood that carves well and holds a good shape for much longer. This makes it ideal for statement furniture that requires a high level of craftsmanship. 

Both North American Walnut and European walnut are more durable than cherry, but not quite as resistant to denting and wear and tear as hard ash or white oak, for instance.

Colour

One of the most distinguishing features of walnut is its vast and textured colour palette, stretching from light brown to dark chocolate. American walnut tends to have a darker, richer colour, while European walnut is lighter in tone, sometimes interspersed with wisps of delicious blonde, cream, or yellow, and the occasional note of red.

The middle of the walnut tree (known as the heartwood) produces the darker wood and the outer layer of the tree, just beneath the bark and known as the sapwood, produces the lighter wood.

The distinctive tones of walnut is perfect for making a statement and is ideal for a modern and contemporary look.

Finish

Walnut polishes to a very smooth finish.

A natural walnut piece is rarely stained, as this process tends to wash out the grain and remove bits of character. However, walnut furniture is more likely to receive a clear coat finish; such as a wax or oil.

The walnut tables handcrafted by Hardman Design tend to be finished with a matt hard wax oil. This enhances the natural colour of the wood, intensifying the walnut tones and drawing out the grain detail and the varying shades of brown.

Grain And Detailing

Walnut wood can be straight grained, but can also have waves or curls, helping to enhance the character of the piece and creating a lively, textured look. Our walnut tables tend to be handcrafted from wavey-grained wood. 

This beautiful grain pattern can be further enhanced by pairing it with furniture with clean lines or unique details. 

The grain pattern makes this the perfect choice for a room where the furniture can take the centre stage.

Eco-friendly

Walnut is ideal for investment pieces and furniture you want to stay in your family for generations; therefore reducing the burden on landfill.

That said, while not endangered, the number of walnut trees around the world has certainly reduced and they can take a century to mature. That’s why we select our walnut from local and sustainable sources.   

View the Hardman Design walnut dining table range.

Summary

Oak, walnut and elm are all great choices for a dining table, offering the perfect mix of durability and beauty. 

As all three for quality options, the type of wood you choose will likely come down to preference.

At Hardman Design, we involve you throughout the production process, including sending you samples of your preferred wood, to help ensure we build you the perfect table. For more information, contact us.

Order a sample

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Tips on Getting A Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Right

Mid-century modern style has been gaining popularity in recent years, and it's not difficult to see why. This design style is recognised for its clean lines, warm woods, and bold colours, making it an ideal match for the dining room.

mid-century-modern

Mid-Century Modern Style Explained

Mid-century modern design style originated in the mid-20th century, specifically between the 1930s and 1960s. It was a reaction to the elaborate and frequently crowded styles that came before it, like Art Deco and Victorian.

Mid-century modern design is recognised by its clean lines, simplicity, and practicality. It's frequently referred to as a blend of Scandinavian and American design since it combines the minimalism of Scandinavian design with the vibrancy and use of color of American design.

The furniture of this period frequently showcased streamlined and straightforward lines, with a focus on practicality and comfort. Natural materials like wood, leather, and metal were extensively used. Chairs were typically designed with tapered legs and upholstered in bold colours and patterns.

Mid-century modern design also welcomed novel materials and manufacturing methods, such as plastic and molded plywood. These materials enabled the development of new forms and shapes, including the iconic Eames Lounge Chair.

Mid-century modern design also extended to architecture, art, and graphic design, in addition to furniture. The style emphasized simplicity, open spaces, and a connection to nature. Numerous mid-century modern homes showcased big windows, open floor plans, and indoor-outdoor living spaces.

Today, mid-century modern design has seen a renewed surge in popularity, with many individuals appreciating its unique characteristics.

However, it can be challenging to execute this style perfectly. Below are some tips on how to create a mid-century modern dining room that is both stylish and functional.

How To Design Mid-Century Modern Dining Room

Designing a dining room with a mid-century modern dining table can be a fantastic way to introduce a hint of retro style to your home. Here are some tips to assist you in achieving a consistent and fashionable appearance:

mid-century-modern

Focus on clean lines and simple shapes: Focus on clean lines and simple shapes: The mid-century modern style is centered around simplicity and minimalism, therefore, when selecting furniture and decor for your dining room, focus on clean lines and simple shapes. Seek out dining tables and chairs with smooth, straight legs, and avoid elaborate details or intricate patterns. This will provide your dining room with a modern and streamlined appearance.

Choose the right table:The mid-century modern dining table is typically distinguished by its clean lines, simple shapes, and minimalist design. When selecting your dining table, seek out a piece that embodies these features, such as a rectangular or circular table with tapered legs and a sleek surface.

Use natural materials: The mid-century modern style frequently incorporates natural materials such as wood and leather. Consider pairing your dining table with chairs constructed of wood or upholstered in leather to add warmth and texture to the space. You can also include natural elements like plants or woven textures to create a comfortable atmosphere.

Accessorize thoughtfully: When designing a mid-century modern dining room, less is often more. Select a few key accessories to introduce interest and personality to the space, such as a vintage pendant light, a statement piece of artwork, or a simple vase of flowers. These items can provide visual interest without overpowering the simplicity of the space.

Play with color: Mid-century modern design frequently incorporates bold colours such as deep greens, blues, or oranges. Consider using these shades in your dining room decor, either through wall paint, artwork, or textiles. Remember to balance these vibrant colours with neutral tones like white or beige to avoid overpowering the space.

Keep it simple: The fundamental principle of designing a mid-century modern dining room is to keep it simple and uncluttered. Avoid excessive ornamentation, complicated patterns, or too many accessories. The emphasis should be on the clean lines and simplicity of the design.

By following these tips, you can create a stylish and functional mid-century modern dining room that is both welcoming and visually appealing. Whether you're entertaining guests or enjoying a family meal, your mid-century modern dining table will be the perfect centrepiece for your space.p>

Mid Century Modern Dining Table

If you're seeking to enhance your dining space, a handcrafted walnut or oak dining table from Hardman Design is the ideal addition. With sleek, modern designs and top-quality craftsmanship, these tables are sure to impress your guests and provide a robust, long-lasting centerpiece for your dining area.

Mid Century Modern Walnut Dining Table on Brass Legs

The mid-century modern style has experienced a resurgence in popularity in recent years, and this exquisite walnut dining table on brass legs is a perfect example of why. The warm, rich tones of the walnut wood complement the brass legs beautifully, creating a timeless look that will never go out of style. This table is ideal for entertaining guests or enjoying family dinners, and its sturdy construction ensures that it will last for years to come.

mid-century-modern-walnut-dining-table-emilie

Mid-Century Modern Oak Dining Table

If you prefer the appearance of oak over walnut, this mid-century modern oak dining table is another excellent option from Hardman Design. The clean lines and minimalist design make this table an ideal match for any modern dining room, while the natural beauty of the oak wood adds warmth and character. This table is available in a variety of sizes, allowing you to choose the perfect one to fit your space and seating requirements.

mid-century-modern

Bauhaus Walnut Dining Table on Metal Legs

For a more industrial appearance, the Bauhaus walnut dining table on metal legs is an outstanding option. The contrast of the warm, natural walnut wood and the sleek, cool metal legs creates a distinct and attention-grabbing piece of furniture that will make a statement in any dining room. The handcrafted construction guarantees that this table is both robust and long-lasting, making it a worthwhile investment for any home.

mid-century-modern

Mid Century Modern Oak Dining Table on Steel Legs

Finally, if you're seeking a more subtle option, the mid-century modern oak dining table on steel legs is an excellent pick. The table's uncomplicated, sleek design showcases the natural charm of the oak wood, while the steel legs add a modern and industrial feel. This table is adaptable enough to complement a variety of decor styles, making it a valuable addition to any home.

mid-century-modern

Conclusion

In conclusion, if you're in the market for a new dining table, a handcrafted walnut or oak table from Hardman Design is an excellent choice. These tables are not only beautiful and stylish, but they are also built to last, so you can enjoy them for years to come. Whether you prefer the warmth of walnut or the natural beauty of oak, there's a Hardman Design dining table that's perfect for your space. So why not invest in the best dining table for your home today?

Visit Hardman Design's website today to explore their selection of handcrafted walnut and oak dining tables. With a focus on quality craftsmanship and modern design, Hardman Design offers some of the best dining tables on the market. Shop now and elevate your dining space with a stunning new table that you'll love for years to come!