How to Choose the Perfect Table Top for Your Work or Home Space?

Choosing the right tabletop is an art of combining function and aesthetics. It can be a working or crafting surface and a highlight in your living space. When you choose a tabletop that fits the size of your space, you will feel comfortable every time you enter your home or have more energy when sitting at work. In this article, we will share with you how to choose the perfect tabletop to take your space to the next level!

Assess Your Space and Table Top Size

The first and most important step when choosing a table top is to assess the space and determine the appropriate size. For the workspace, you need to consider the aisles, seating positions and the job characteristics. If it is an office, a desk with a width of 120-180cm and a depth of 60-80cm is often preferred to accommodate the computer and necessary equipment. The US office area is 150-175 square feet (14-16.25 m2) per employee.

For the dining areas within the family, the tabletop must be large enough to accommodate plates. Apart from that, the appearance must also be dramatic in color or a flat surface to serve as the centerpiece while inviting visitors. An ideal dining family table would be 150-180cm long, which is adequate for 4-6 people to sit comfortably around.

Here are the detailed instructions for choosing the size of the table top based on the space area:

• Space under 10m²: 42″ x 48″ or a 42″ diameter round table top suits a small working corner or coffee table for 2-4 people.
• Space 10-15m²: 60″-78″ (152-198 cm) in length and 30″-40″ (76-102 cm creates balance in a medium-sized room.
• Space 15-25m²: 60″-120″ (152-305 cm) long and 40″-70″ (102-178 cm) wide table top creates a highlight in a large room.
• Space over 25m²: Approximately 108″ (9 feet) long and 42″ wide table top or larger is suitable for a large space.

Types of Table Tops: Pros and Cons

There are many different types of tables on the market today, when you search on Google you will easily find thousands of results such as wooden tables, plastic tables, etc. But which one will be the most durable type? If you choose a table with a beautiful design but not durability, it will be a waste of money and time to repair. In the table below, we have summarized all types of tables based on the material of each type.

You can easily see that epoxy table tops, despite their high cost, are clearly superior in terms of aesthetics and durability, lasting up to 20 years and at least 15 years. Natural wood is susceptible to warping and cracking if not properly cared for in an environment with continually fluctuating temperatures and humidity levels.

Epoxy table tops are completely different with absolute water resistance, a smooth, glossy surface and a flexible design from color to pattern. For example, you can refer to table types such as:

• River tables
• Ocean epoxy tables
• Live edge epoxy tables
• Geode epoxy tables
• Galaxy epoxy tables
• Abstract epoxy tables
• Embedded object epoxy tables
• Glow in the dark epoxy tables

Which Table Shape Is Best for Your Room?

In case you prefer to have a table for dining, coffee, etc., then shape is another consideration to bear in mind. The aesthetics of the room will change, depending on the shape of the table:

• Rectangular table top: This is best used for dining rooms and offices, or you can use it to make a desk. The size from 36-60 inches would be perfect for 4-6 people, but if you have a larger family, a 36″ x 72″ (6 feet) table would be the perfect choice. The strength of a rectangular table is that it makes the most of available space when against a wall and how simple it is to coordinate with many different types of chairs.
• Round table top: We love the way round tables promote conversation between people, without creating a “head of the table” area so everyone is on an equal footing. Round tables with 42 and 48 inches in diameter can seat 4-5 people and tables with between 60 and 72 inches in diameter can seat groups of 6-8 people. Round tables have no sharp edges, so they are extremely safe for families with children and easy to move around in narrow spaces.
• Oval table top: Customers usually choose oval tables when they want the spaciousness of a rectangular table but do not like angular tables. The 72 inches is for 6-8 people and is suitable for extremely long and narrow dining rooms. Blunt edges not only create a friendly atmosphere, but they also make it considerably easier to pass around compared to rectangular tables.
• Square table top: You can choose a square table for a small space or when the number of users is fixed. A size from 36″ x 36″ to 42″ x 42″ square table serves just enough for 4 people, while a 29″ x 29″ table is the perfect choice for a coffee corner or work. What we like most about square tables is the ability to combine multiple tables when a larger space is needed, creating surprising flexibility for the living space.

Key Factors to Consider When Choosing a Table Top

After researching different types of materials, we found that the following 4 factors significantly determine customer satisfaction with the product:

• The durability and longevity: Epoxy table tops are truly impressive, with the ability to maintain quality for up to 15-20 years. Many epoxy table tops are still as good as new after a decade of use, while other types of table tops have significantly degraded. In fact, 90% of epoxy table tops retain their quality after 10 years, far surpassing natural wood (60%) and plywood (40%). Epoxy’s resistance to water and mild chemicals makes it a great choice for spaces that are used frequently.
• The scratch and heat resistance: Epoxy table tops are far superior to conventional table tops. Epoxy is 3 times more scratch-resistant than laminate and conventional wood. You can place a hot cup of coffee or a plate of freshly cooked food on an epoxy table top (withstands up to 65°C) without worrying about damaging the surface. Granite is more heat resistant (over 480°F) but is very heavy and hard, while glass, although shiny, is easily scratched and at risk of breaking when the temperature changes suddenly.
• Cost and long-term value: Epoxy table tops are initially more expensive but save up to 25% in costs after 15 years of use compared to having to replace laminate 2-3 times. We often see epoxy table tops retain their original beauty after many years, while other types deteriorate quickly.
• The aesthetic and personalization: Epoxy table top is what makes us love this material. Most customers choose epoxy because of the ability to customize color, transparency and create special effects. We happened to watch a clip of a friend on YouTube embedding seashells, driftwood or even ancient coins into epoxy to create tables that tell their own stories. A recent trend we find very interesting is incorporating LED lights into epoxy table tops, creating a shimmering lighting effect for modern spaces.

4 Types Table Top Suitable for Your Space

You can refer to 4 types of epoxy table tops suitable for different spaces below including dining table, coffee table, end table and desk table. Each type has its own characteristics such as surface pattern, material, modern or simple style. Depending on your needs, you can choose the appropriate style.

1. Epoxy Dining Table Top – Durable and Customizable

Because the table top is covered with an epoxy coat, it is completely waterproof, so you can easily handle spills from food and drinks. The transparent epoxy layer creates depth for the natural wood grain below, creating an impressive 3D effect. The epoxy dining table top is typically 23 inches in size. If you have 6-8 people, 41 inches is enough to sit comfortably.

2. Epoxy Coffee Table Top – Sleek and Modern

Epoxy coffee table tops make a focus for the living area with a glossy surface that reflects light, producing a large sensation for the space. Special effects such as ocean waves, nebulae and marble patterns are particularly popular trends. The most typical size for epoxy coffee table tops is 15 inches – 41 inches in diameter for circular tables. Epoxy coffee table tops work well with a variety of home styles, including modern and neoclassical.

3. Epoxy End Table Top – Compact and Versatile

The epoxy end table top is tiny enough to be placed next to a sofa or bed. Because the surface is scratch-resistant and waterproof, you may place drinks or potted plants with confidence.

Epoxy end table tops are usually produced in sizes such as: 15 inches square or 19 inches in diameter. Simple colors like black, white, or gray are generally used for side tables since they are easy to match with surrounding furniture.

4. Desk Table Top – Stylish and Functional

The size of the desk top needs to be spacious, waterproof and easy to clean because you will likely put a lot of items on it such as bonsai plants, books, computers, glasses of water and even snacks. The size for the epoxy desk top is 120-160cm x 60-80cm (approximately 47-63 inches), enough space for a computer and necessary office equipment. Currently, there are models combined with integrated LED lighting systems, creating a modern and inspiring working space.

Epoxy table tops stand out with the ability to blend the natural beauty of wood and the great durability of epoxy resin, creating a product that is both highly attractive and meets functional requirements. To know how to choose the perfect tabletop for an office or home space, you need to consider your size, usage needs and budget. We hope you find your own beautiful and unique tables!

Sameer

Sameer is a writer, entrepreneur and investor. He is passionate about inspiring entrepreneurs and women in business, telling great startup stories, providing readers with actionable insights on startup fundraising, startup marketing and startup non-obviousnesses and generally ranting on things that he thinks should be ranting about all while hoping to impress upon them to bet on themselves (as entrepreneurs) and bet on others (as investors or potential board members or executives or managers) who are really betting on themselves but need the motivation of someone else’s endorsement to get there.

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