Who doesn’t enjoy an epic hunt for the perfect dining room table? Here’s our story.
We’ve been searching for a large round table ever since we first walked into our house. The small formal dining room immediately felt like it should be an office—John suggested adding French doors so I could have a workspace, and I was sold. But we’re a big family: when everyone gathers for birthdays, movie nights, or spaghetti dinners there are easily a dozen of us. The original dining room simply wouldn’t fit the table we needed.
After many floor plans, sketches, and passionate discussions, we decided to open up the wall between the kitchen and the former living room, creating a casual dining room and library off a defined entryway. That change would allow for a much larger table and a more functional layout for family life.
The new room calls for something less formal than a traditional rectangular table—so I pictured a round table: softer, friendlier, and better for conversation. I also imagined pairing it with green leather or faux-leather Parsons chairs to keep the room casual and wipeable for kids’ crafts and after-school projects. The goal was a table that would host big family meals but also withstand everyday use.
The problem with round tables is that most seat four; 60-inch versions seat six and 70-inch versions can accommodate eight. Our target was seating for eight at the table itself, plus additional seating at an island in the adjacent kitchen. Ideally the combination would bring us to a comfortable twelve places around the house for gatherings, but that meant finding a true 70-inch round table.
I measured and taped out a 70-inch circle on the floor to confirm the fit and then started searching. A 70-inch round table seemed elusive and expensive—most options I found were either too small or in the $1,000–2,000 range. I looked at several retailers and even considered used and thrift options, visiting antique shops and a Habitat ReStore. We found everything from a 50-inch retro laminate diner table to modest pedestal tables, but nothing that matched the chunky, solid look we wanted at a reasonable price.
DIY crossed our minds, but creating a large round top that looked substantial and not cobbled together from narrow planks felt risky. We wanted a single, solid-feeling surface with texture and durability, not a contrived solution.
Then someone suggested a local discount furniture store called The Dump. Despite the off-putting name, we decided to check it out. To our surprise, there it was: a beautiful rustic yet clean-lined 70-inch round table with a non-invasive pedestal base—the ideal fit for our vision. A pedestal base would keep knees and guests’ legs comfortable and uncluttered, which felt important for long family dinners.
The table was lovely but the initial price tag was steep: $1,800, which included eight chairs. We were already set on buying new green Parsons chairs, so paying that much for chairs we didn’t want wasn’t feasible. I asked whether the table would be sold without chairs. After some negotiation and a plea to the manager that I’d give the table a loving home, we were offered the floor model table for $799 without the chairs. I paid on the spot—relieved and thrilled to have finally found exactly what we’d been dreaming of.
The table is solid wood—Sheesham, also known as Indian rosewood—which is a durable hardwood that stands up to everyday use. That durability was a major factor for us: we want furniture that can be used and loved without worrying about every little nick or scratch.
The tabletop itself is hand-carved with a subtle, wavy texture. It’s not perfectly smooth, but the shallow ripples are barely noticeable when you set a glass down; instead, they help hide the inevitable dents and dings that come with a busy family life. That finish felt far preferable to the glossy lacquered tables of my childhood, where every scratch showed. This table’s surface promises to age gracefully and keep the table looking lived-in and loved.
So that’s the long, winding tale of how we found a 70-inch round dining table that seats at least eight people and suits the casual, welcoming style we wanted for our home. We can’t wait for it to arrive and to fill it with holiday meals, birthday celebrations, and everyday projects. Photos to come once it’s in place.