Lloyd’s Woodworking · Hudson, Massachusetts
By Lloyd’s Woodworking Inc.
Should I Buy a Custom Dining Table or a Store-Bought Table?
DIRECT ANSWER:
A store-bought dining table makes sense when an available size, design and quality meet your needs. A custom table may make more sense when room dimensions, seating requirements, proportions, extension needs or design goals cannot be solved well with standard products.
THE QUESTION ISN’T:
CUSTOM OR STORE-BOUGHT?
THE QUESTION IS:
DOES THE TABLE WORK IN YOUR ROOM?
START WITH THE ROOM
Measure:
Room length
Room width
Doorways
Traffic paths
Nearby furniture
HOW MANY PEOPLE ACTUALLY SIT THERE?
Separate:
Normal seating
Frequent guests
Maximum occasional seating
CHAIRS CHANGE THE EQUATION
Chair width and shape affect how many people fit comfortably.
Do not design the table without considering the chairs.
THE BASE MATTERS
Leg and base placement affects:
Chair placement
Knee room
End seating
Extension possibilities
DO YOU NEED LEAVES?
Think about:
How often the table expands
Where leaves will be stored
How the expanded table affects the room
Frequently asked questions
IS A CUSTOM TABLE ALWAYS MORE EXPENSIVE?
Do not assume a universal price relationship. Compare actual products and scope.
CAN A TABLE BE DESIGNED FOR AN ODD-SHAPED ROOM?
Potentially.
CAN AN EXISTING TABLE BE RESTORED INSTEAD?
Potentially. If you already own a quality table, evaluate it before replacement.
DOES A CUSTOM TABLE AUTOMATICALLY BECOME AN HEIRLOOM?
No.
BEFORE YOU SETTLE FOR THE WRONG TABLE—
LET’S TALK ABOUT THE RIGHT ONE.
Send Lloyd’s a photo of the space, approximate dimensions and an explanation of what the finished piece needs to do.
START A CUSTOM TABLE PROJECTCALL 978-562-9007ALREADY HAVE A PIECE THAT ALMOST WORKS?
Before replacing it, find out whether it can be repaired, restored or modified.
CAN THIS BE SAVED?