Lotus Expandable Dining Table

Proudly maintaining functionalist ideals and Scandinavian modernist sensibilities for more than six decades, Denmark’s Dyrlund furniture company declares itself a maker of the antiques of tomorrow. Its durable and appealing mid-century pieces are recognizable to collectors owing to the brand’s golden circle logo, embossed with the name Dyrlund, which is synonymous with quiet elegance and superior quality. 

Working with ash, beech, oak and teak, Dyrlund’s furniture makers employ quality oil finishes by hand to protect and bring out the deep richness of the wood. The company outfits its sideboards and cupboards with sturdy, solid-wood oval handles — another signature that is likely familiar to enthusiasts of the manufacturer.

Established in 1960, the company set out to create long-lasting furniture that would remain beautiful and reliable throughout its life. Over the years, the brand's focus has mainly been on the manufacture of office furnishings. Dyrlund credenzas, desks and office cabinets — as well as living room items like sofas and coffee tables — are the most well-known pieces. However, Dyrlund occasionally produces limited runs of bedroom furniture, such as beds and nightstands. 

Dyrlund boasts a clientele that includes celebrities, royalty and heads of state. One client the company is particularly proud of is Mikhail Gorbachev. The late Russian and Soviet politician posed for a photo standing in front of a Dyrlund desk.

The company still operates out of Copenhagen, headed by director Bent Møller Jørgensen, who is just as often seen on the shop floor going over details with cabinetmakers as he is in his office speaking to clients. Dyrlund’s commitment to quality and Danish modern forms hasn't wavered and is sure to continue into the future.

On 1stDibs, find Dyrlund dining tables, seating and bookcases.

No matter your furniture style of choice, a shared meal is one of life’s true rewards. Why not treat your family and friends to a luxurious dining experience? Browse our top picks to find the perfect antique, new or vintage dining room table for this important occasion.

Modern furniture design borrows significantly from the trends of yore, and this is especially apparent in dining tables. Ancient Egyptians made practical use of the earliest four-legged tables of wood and rock — their models bear striking similarity to the dining tables of today — while common large medieval dining room tables in England were made of oak or elm. Romans and Greeks, renowned for big banquets that involved entertainment as well as good food, used early dining room tables made of marble or wood and metals such as bronze for meals. 

On 1stDibs, find a range of dining room tables that offers no shortage of options to accommodate modest interiors, midsize family homes and even lavish banquets (entertainment not included).

Beginning in the mid-19th century, more American homes featured dining rooms, where families could gather specifically for a meal together. In the States, upper-class families were the first to enjoy dining room tables, which were the centerpiece of the dining room. 

Dining room tables of the Victorian era were created in a range of revivalist styles inspired by neoclassical, Renaissance, Gothic and other traditions. Furnishings of the period were made of various woods, including oak, rosewood and mahogany, and referenced a variety of decorative arts and architectural motifs. Some dining room tables finished in the Rococo style feature gorgeous inlaid marble tabletops or other ornamental flourishes handcrafted by Parisian furniture makers of the 18th century.

In many modern spaces, there often isn’t a dining room separate from the kitchen — instead, they frequently share real estate in a single area. Mid-century modern dining room tables, specifically those created by designers such as Osvaldo Borsani, Edward Wormley and Alvar Aalto, are typically clean and uncomplicated designs for a dining area that’s adjacent to where the cooking is done. Furniture of this era hasn’t lost its allure for those who opt for a casual and contemporary aesthetic.

If you’re of the modern mindset that making and sharing meals should be one in the same — and perhaps large antique dining tables don’t mesh well with your style — consider a popular alternative. Working with a tighter space may mean that a round or oval dining room table, a design that references the festive meals of the medieval era, may be a better fit. Round dining room tables, particularly those that originated in the Art Deco period, still endure as a popular contemporary substitute for traditional rectangular dining tables. Giovanni Offredi’s Paracarro table for Saporiti Italia is a striking round table option that showcases the magnificent Italian industrial design of the 1970s.

Find a collection of antique, new and vintage dining tables on 1stDibs.