Live Edge vs. Traditional Dining Tables: Which Is Right for Your Home?
When it comes to choosing a dining table, two styles dominate the conversation: live edge and traditional. Both bring beauty and function, but each offers a distinct look and feel. If you’re torn between the two, this guide will help you decide which style best suits your home.
When it comes to choosing a dining table, two styles dominate the conversation: live edge and traditional. Both bring beauty and function, but each offers a distinct look and feel. If you’re torn between the two, this guide will help you decide which style best suits your home.
What Is a Live Edge Dining Table?
A live edge table highlights the natural edge of the wood slab. Instead of straight, manufactured lines, the edges follow the tree’s natural contours. This creates a raw, organic look that brings the outdoors in.
Pros:
Unique, one-of-a-kind character
Modern yet rustic appeal
Showcases the natural story of the wood
Best For: Homeowners who want a statement piece that feels like art and furniture in one.
What Is a Traditional Dining Table?
A traditional table has straight, squared edges, often paired with classic joinery or ornate bases. This style emphasizes symmetry, balance, and timeless design.
Pros:
Classic, versatile style
Pairs easily with existing furniture
Easier to fit into formal dining rooms
Best For: Families who value elegance and practicality, or those furnishing more traditional spaces.
Style Considerations: Rustic vs. Modern
Rustic Homes: Live edge fits beautifully in cabins, farmhouses, or spaces with exposed beams and natural finishes.
Modern Homes: A live edge with a sleek steel or bronze base can create a striking focal point.
Traditional Homes: Straight-edged tables work best for formal dining spaces, especially when paired with rich hardwoods like cherry or walnut.
How to Decide What Works Best for You
Ask yourself:
Do I want my dining table to be the centerpiece of the room? → Go live edge.
Do I want something timeless and versatile? → Go traditional.
Do I want to blend modern and rustic? → A hybrid: live edge top with a traditional base.
Ready to Build Your Perfect Table?
Whether you lean toward a live edge showpiece or a classic traditional design, our team at Hopes Woodshop can craft the perfect dining table for your home. Every table is handmade in Massachusetts and designed to last for generations.
Start your custom table consultation today
How to Choose the Perfect Size Dining Table for Your Space
In this guide, we’ll walk you through the key factors in choosing the right size dining table, from room measurements to seating capacity, so you can bring home a table that feels tailor-made.
When investing in a dining table, size is everything. Too small and guests feel cramped; too large and your room looks crowded. The good news? With a custom dining table, you’re not stuck with “one-size-fits-all” options—you can design a piece that fits your home and lifestyle perfectly.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through the key factors in choosing the right size dining table, from room measurements to seating capacity, so you can bring home a table that feels tailor-made.
Standard Dining Table Sizes Explained
Before diving into custom options, it helps to understand the most common table sizes:
Rectangular Tables: Usually 36–40 inches wide.
Seats 4: 60 inches long
Seats 6: 72 inches long
Seats 8: 96 inches long
Seats 10–12: 120 inches long
Round Tables: Ideal for smaller spaces and conversation.
42–48 inches: seats 4
54 inches: seats 5–6
72 inches: seats 8
Square Tables: Work best in large, open rooms.
36–44 inches: seats 4
54 inches: seats 8
These measurements are a helpful starting point—but remember, with a custom-built table, you’re not limited by standard dimensions.
How Many People Do You Want to Seat?
Think about your household first, then add in how often you entertain:
Small Family (2–4 people): A 60–72 inch table will be comfortable.
Medium Family (4–6 people): A 72–96 inch table gives flexibility.
Large Family or Frequent Hosts (8+ people): 96–120 inches is ideal.
Rule of thumb: plan for 24 inches of table length per person for comfortable seating.
Measuring Your Room for the Right Fit
One of the biggest mistakes buyers make is choosing a table that’s too large for the room. To get the fit right:
Measure your dining room or dining area.
Subtract 72 inches (6 feet) from the length and width.
This leaves 36 inches of clearance on all sides so chairs can slide back easily.
Use painter’s tape or cardboard to outline the footprint of different table sizes—you’ll quickly see what feels comfortable.
Example: If your dining room is 14’ x 12’, the maximum table size would be 8’ x 6’ (96" x 72").
Benefits of a Custom Dining Table
Most big-box retailers offer a handful of standard sizes. But homes aren’t standard—your table shouldn’t be either. Here’s why custom is worth it:
Tailored Fit: Get exact dimensions for your room.
Personalized Seating: Whether you want seating for 6 or 16, we can design it.
Style Flexibility: Choose round, square, rectangular, or oval.
Unique Materials: From walnut and oak to exotic monkey pod slabs, every table tells its own story.
At Hopes Woodshop, every dining table starts with the slab selection at the sawmill, ensuring we can match your space, seating needs, and style perfectly.
Pro Tips for Choosing the Right Table Size
Think about lifestyle, not just looks. If your family eats together nightly, prioritize comfort and space.
Leave room for movement. Especially important in open-concept homes where the dining area blends into other spaces.
Plan for holidays. If you host Thanksgiving or large gatherings, a table with extensions or a larger build may be best.
Don’t forget ceiling height. Large tables in rooms with low ceilings can feel heavy—balance proportions with light fixtures.
Ready to Design Your Perfect Dining Table?
Choosing the right size is just the first step—our team can help you bring it to life with custom slabs, live edge designs, and handcrafted bases that make your dining table one of a kind.
Contact Hopes Woodshop today to start designing your custom dining table.
Live Edge Dining Table and Coffee Table with Custom Brass Inlays
A Dining Table and Coffee Table BTS
At Hopes Woodshop, we believe furniture should be more than functional — it should tell a story. Our most recent project with Cedar House Design Collective in RI included not just one, but two handcrafted statement pieces: an 8-foot live edge dining table with a custom matching base, and a 44-inch round single-slab coffee table — both featuring custom cut brass inlays that highlight the natural beauty of the wood.
Premium Hardwood from GL Veneer
For this build, we sourced slabs from GL Veneer in Los Angeles, California, a supplier known nationwide for extraordinary hardwoods. Each piece was carefully selected for grain character, color, and durability. Once shipped to our Massachusetts workshop, the transformation began.
Dimensions and Design
Dining Table: 8 feet long × 3 feet wide × 30 inches tall
Coffee Table: 44 inches round × standard coffee table height
The dining table base was crafted from the same live edge material as the top, giving the entire piece a seamless, unified feel. For the coffee table, we used a single slab and created a matching base that complements the natural flow of the wood.
Custom Brass Inlays
To add a layer of artistry and refinement, both tables feature precision-cut brass inlays set into the tops. These subtle accents not only highlight the organic lines of the slabs but also elevate the pieces into true works of functional art. The brass reflects light beautifully, creating a striking contrast against the rich wood grain. I wanted to inlays in the dining table to appear like they were floating in the wind through the natural wood grain.
Crafting the Bases
Unlike many tables where the base contrasts with the top, both of these builds were designed with bases constructed from the same slab material. This approach ensures that every surface, from top to bottom, carries the same warmth and natural beauty. The result: two pieces that feel organic, cohesive, and enduring.
The Finished Set
Together, the custom live edge dining table and single-slab round coffee table create a one-of-a-kind furniture set. Bold yet refined, rustic yet modern, these handcrafted pieces bring the outdoors inside while showcasing the skill, creativity, and craftsmanship that define Hopes Woodshop.
Start Your Own Custom Furniture Project
Looking for a custom live edge table or a handcrafted piece built to your exact specifications? At Hopes Woodshop, we transform premium hardwood slabs into heirloom-quality furniture that reflects your style and lasts for generations.
Contact us today to start designing your own custom dining table, coffee table, or complete furniture set.
Moving slabs is never fun but we try to make it fun.
Slab Flattening and CNC Service
CNC flattening a slab of walnut
We’re excited to announce our cnc services to the following areas (Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut and lower Vermont). Pickup and Delivery options are available as well. Save time and increase quality with our cnc flattening service. Our hourly rate is starting at $100/hr.
Table Flattening including epoxied surfaces
Sign Making and Engraving
Cabinet part cutting from sheet goods
Please feel free to reach out and let us know how we can assist with any project you may have?
A story about refinishing
Mid-Century Modern Meets Me
I am mister solid wood. I am the epitome of “live edge” and yet I find myself tip toing around precious little veneers. Truth be told, I have always been interested in manufactured furniture. I am someone who reverse engineers everything in my head until I have figured out how I can foreseeably build it. Which is why I am in love with woodworking. It gives me the ability to constantly learn and push the boundaries of what is possible.
Any who, enough about me. Lets talk about these gorgeous little hunks of California nostalgia by way of Carolina. My wife and I spotted these at an estate sale while vacationing on the Cape. They were in pretty decent shape and needed a little TLC at a later date but for now they would work for us. Fast forward 9 years and we actually don’t really need them anymore. They survived two toddlers and a few moves, but they were tired and in desperate need of a refininsh. So without further ado, I present the midcentury modern end tables and coffee table by lane furniture:
Armoire or Wardrobe? Either way, they are here!
Wardrobes and Armoires are in right now and you should have one!
The Wardrobe is something that I have doodled for years now. I always thought it would be one of the best showcases for the wood. I have to admit, the storage and use was an afterthought. That was quickly resolved once I jotted down my design from my head to paper. The idea of having everything I use in one cabinet gave me a feeling of joy. Don’t just take my word for it, in Em Henderson’s most recent Blog post “Why You Should Be Using Armoires In Every Room” she says:
It’s one of those pieces that are often overlooked, but let’s all agree to stop that right now and consider the armoire.
Even though we didn’t make the list, It shows that there is a great use for these pieces in your home. And I think ours is the best!
After designing our wardrobe I knew I wanted it to be one of a kind. Even though this would inherently raise the cost, I felt it was important to let the wood tell a story. In our launch of the “SEBA” Wardrobe line we introduced a reclaimed wood option. The previous summer we had taken down a large barn that was built in 1780 and was falling apart. It was an endeavor and an adventure. At the time I had no idea what I would use the wood for but knew I wanted it to be special. Reclaimed wood is extremely difficult to work with. It is dirty (dulls the knives), contains big cracks and voids/rot, weathered differently (N,S,E,W Building Sides). But there is absolutely no denying the beauty and character that comes from this lumber. I will say this, I have enough reclaimed material to make more wardrobes but Im not going into barn demo! Call it a limited series if you will. Even though we built the outside of the wardrobe in reclaimed wood, everything on the inside is new. The drawer boxes are new dovetailed white oak solid 5/8”bottoms to resist sagging. The runners are all top of the line Blum soft-close (sorry purists).
The thought of buying a custom piece like this can seem expensive. I like to think of it as an investment. It is something that you will use for the foreseeable future. It will help you stay looking good and organized. Provides something beautiful to look at on a daily basis. And when you move, you can take it with you. I also love the idea of handing this piece down from generation to generation.
Pricing for our wardrobes starts at $6500 and up. We can use any material that you see in our other furniture in addition to the reclaimed. We also offer other sizes and configurations. If you are interested in having us make a Wardrobe or would like more information please feel free to contact us.
Cheers!
Marc
Live Edge Walnut with Extensions (Company Boards)
A beautiful 8’ heirloom table made from bookmatched claro walnut. The figure in this table made for an extremely nice and tedious build. Taking our time every step of the way and examining from every angle. Using touch to feel any inconsistencies within the wood. Planing and sanding until we achieved the smoothest finish possible. With the extensions this piece finishes at 10’ long x 48-50” wide.
This bookmatch features 2 live edge claro walnut slabs from the same tree. We used black resin to fill voids on the top and bottom. Claro walnut bow-ties were used to strengthen and reinforce cracks within each slab. There are 6 on the bottom and 4 on the top. Here is a quick video showcasing the method we use for inlaying our bow-ties:
Company boards were custom made for this table from claro walnut as well. We fabricated the custom connections for these in house. They are sleek and minimal. They give the live edge table a little extra seating during the holidays without taking away from the design. The metal also goes great with the black omega cast iron by Ares Iron.
Live Edge Slabs Available for Tables
Let’s start the conversation here. We can talk about the base after…
Live edge walnut bookmatch with some amazing figure and color. Some cracks and voids need to be addressed with epoxy or wood patch work. This set is about 99” long x 68” wide and 2.5” thick (We can trim these down to make a top that is functional south of 4’ wide).
A live edge black walnut set from Easthampton MA. This set will finish at about 9’ long x 40” wide. These will be headed for surfacing soon. They are very clean and free of defects.
Single slab butternut that is 8’ long x 36” wide. This piece was finished to show the color and figure but can still be trimmed down to size to fit your space.
9’ Long x 44” wide this is going to make a good looking match. Sugar Maple is a beautiful wood to works with. This particular set has a strong white sapline that runs along the outer edge. This was caused by a void on the top of the tree that water had been trickling into over the years.
Solid Wood Built-Ins For Cape Cod Home
A Contemporary Cape Cod Getaway
Cherry Shelves made with sliding dovetail construction. Light grey stone fireplace with solid cherry mantle.
Solid cherry shaker style drawers with ebonized pulls. Custom toekicks allow for the HVAC unit were done in house on our cnc.
We worked with the customer while they were remodeling their home. They sent us the design they had, the dimensions and we did the rest. Building the units was a nice change of pace for the shop and we loved putting it all together. The construction of this piece was done using sliding dovetail construction for the shelves. We wanted to use solid wood on the shelves so the cherry would age evenly. This was important because you can see the tops of the units from upstairs. Here are some installation photos:
As our shop continues to evolve, we are thrilled to start taking on these unique spaces for your home. So if you have an idea for us, feel free to send it our way! Contact us here
Handcrafted Stools in Walnut
We make these stools from 100% Black Walnut and use the very best selection to ensure you have this stool for generations. These are not available on Wayfair or Amazon. They are made for you with thought and care. Any purchases before 04/30/2019 will ship free of charge (curbside) anywhere in the lower 48 (minimum order of 2) .
Classic Walnut Stools for the kitchen
This three legged walnut stool has been with us since the beginning. Its sturdy, comfortable, and great looking. Made from Walnut using traditional mortise and tenon construction. The scooped seat is 16” wide x 10” deep.
Made to order. Please allow 6-8 weeks to complete.
Modern Round Walnut Stools
The Merrick stool was built for family. Each rung on the stool is a different height. Pick the height you like, and take a load off. The round walnut stool seat is scooped to provide additional comfort for those long morning coffee breaks or late night wine downs. Made from 100% locally harvested walnut.
Made to order. Please allow 6-8 weeks for completion. This stool is handmade in Wilbraham MA.
If you have any questions please feel free to contact the shop: