A bespoke solid oak table – when the standard catalogue is not enough and how to order a table for a difficult space
Most tables in furniture catalogues are available in a handful of standard lengths: 120, 140, 160, 180, 200 cm. These dimensions cover typical needs — and in many homes they work perfectly well. But there is a significant group of spaces for which none of those dimensions is right. Twenty centimetres too large, or thirty too small. Too narrow for a generous dining room. Top too thick for an open-plan space with a low ceiling. Too tall for the bar stools ordered to sit at the kitchen island.
A bespoke solid oak table is not a luxury for the demanding — it is the solution for specific spaces with specific requirements. This article explains when ordering to measure makes sense, exactly what you can customise and how to describe your needs so that the quote comes back precise and fast.
When a standard table is the wrong choice
Before you start looking for a model in a catalogue, check whether your space fits standard dimensions at all. Here are the situations in which a made-to-measure order is simpler than looking for a compromise.
A non-standard dining zone length. You have 230 cm of clear space along the wall — a 200 cm table is too small (chairs become cramped), a 240 cm table is too large (it blocks the passageway). No standard model solves the problem. A 215 cm table with comfortable clearance on both sides — only possible with a made-to-measure order.
An open-plan living area with a kitchen island. A dining area combined with a kitchen requires a table matched to the depth of the island, the distance from the sitting area and the circulation axis between kitchen and living room. An off-the-shelf rectangle of 160×80 cm may be too wide in one direction and too short in another — or simply positioned at an angle that does not sit well with the rest of the space.
A conference room or study. A solid oak conference table for ten people with a standard depth of 90 cm and a length of 280–320 cm is a dimension simply not found in the dining section of standard catalogues. A meeting table for six with a cable grommet and a substantial 6 cm top — likewise.
A very high or very low ceiling. In spaces with ceilings above 350 cm, a standard 4 cm top looks delicate — proportions are lost in the volume of the space. A thick 6 cm top and more substantial legs restore the balance. In mezzanines and loft spaces the situation is often reversed — low beams require a table lower than the standard 75 cm so that the space does not feel cramped.
An alcove, pillars or a sloping wall. If the dining area has a pillar in the corner, a ceiling slope on one side or an alcove of a specific depth, the table needs dimensions precisely matched to that geometry. An off-the-shelf model in a standard length will either “almost” fit — or leave dead space that disrupts the arrangement.
Kitchen bar islands and high worktops. Standard tables are 75–76 cm tall and are designed for upholstered dining chairs. If your island is 90 or 110 cm high and bar stools stand beside it, you need a table top at the same height and in dimensions that match the island rather than a standard dining room.
What you can customise when ordering a table to measure
At RaWood, ordering a table to measure means full control over every parameter. Here is what you can change relative to catalogue models.
Top dimensions — to the centimetre. Length from 50 to 350 cm, width from 50 to 110 cm, top thickness from 20 to 60 mm. A slim top of 20–25 mm gives the piece lightness and suits minimalist spaces. The standard 30–40 mm is the most common choice — solid and well-proportioned. A thick top of 45–60 mm creates a piece with pronounced massiveness — a good choice for large spaces, conference rooms and interiors where the table is intended as a visual focal point.
Top shape. A rectangle is the most common, but not the only option. An oval works well in a dining area combined with a living room — the soft form without sharp corners sits naturally in a space that you also occupy from the living room side. A circle — for small dining rooms and kitchens where it matters that everyone sits close to the centre of the table. A trapezoid and right angle — for alcoves and irregular spaces. Live edge — the natural line of the wood preserving the shape of the trunk, for loft and rustic interiors where the organic character of the material is a quality in itself.
Top edge. This detail has a strong effect on the character of the piece — and is worth choosing consciously rather than by default. Straight cut (90°) — clean, minimalist, contemporary. Gentle chamfer — a subtle breaking of the edge for safety and an elegant detail. Swiss undercut — an elegant undercut from below that optically slims the top and gives it lightness — a very popular choice with thick tops of 4 cm and above. Rounded edges — family-friendly, pleasant to the touch, good in family spaces. Live edge — the natural irregular line of the wood as a decorative element.
Wood colour. Natural oak, whitened, honey, walnut oil, dark wenge — each finish draws out a different character from the same material. When ordering to measure you can request wood colour samples before making a decision — because the shade of oak on a screen differs from how it looks in the natural light of the room.
Leg colour and material. Powder-coated steel — black, white, chrome or natural. Solid oak wooden legs. The spacing of the legs adjusted to the length of the top and the style of the arrangement — wider spacing gives more freedom to people sitting at the ends of the table.
Leaf extensions and extension system. Even a made-to-measure table can have leaf extensions — side leaves or a front slide system. If you are ordering a 230 cm table but want to be able to extend it to 290 cm once a year — that is achievable. The dimensions of the leaves can also be specified.
Table height. Standard is 75–76 cm. But for bar heights (90 or 110 cm), for people above 190 cm tall or for specific ergonomic requirements — the height of the top can be changed. Specify which chairs or bar stools you will be using and the dimension will be adjusted accordingly.
Difficult spaces — specific solutions
Here are several typical “difficult space” situations and how a made-to-measure table solves each one.
An open-plan living area with a kitchen counter and sitting area. You need a table that does not block the circulation axis between the kitchen and the sofa, has a width matching the depth of the island (often 90 cm rather than the standard 80 cm) and a leg form that allows chairs to be pulled up freely from all sides. Solution: a table of 190×90 cm with a trapezoidal metal base, legs positioned at the short edges of the top for maximum freedom.
A generous dining room with a high ceiling and ample space. A standard 200 cm table under a 400 cm ceiling loses its proportions — the piece appears too small for the space. Solution: a table of 280×100 cm, 6 cm thick top, a substantial wooden base instead of slender metal legs, a dark oak finish (walnut oil or wenge) for visual weight and presence.
A conference room for eight to twelve people. A solid oak conference table is a statement investment — and requires precise dimensions matched to the room. You need a cable grommet in the top, often a 5–6 cm top thickness for a representative effect and a leg spacing that does not obstruct chairs in working position. More on conference tables: how to choose a conference table.
An alcove between pillars. A pillar in the corner of the dining room limits the available width to, say, 175 cm. A 160 cm table is too small; a 180 cm table will not fit. Solution: a table of 172 cm — precisely matched to the clear space with 1.5 cm clearance on each side.
A mezzanine or loft with a low overhead clearance. A structural beam at 205 cm above floor level with a standard 75 cm table leaves only 130 cm of headroom for seated guests — not enough to stand up comfortably. Solution: a table height of 68–70 cm, which adds 5–7 cm of clearance above seated guests and 12 cm when standing. Standard dining chairs with a 45 cm seat height still fit comfortably.
How to order — what to prepare so that the quote is fast and precise
Ordering a made-to-measure table at RaWood is done through a form — and the more information you provide upfront, the faster you will receive a precise quote without additional rounds of questions. What is worth preparing before filling in the form:
- Space dimensions — length of the clear wall or dining zone, width of passageways on each side, any slope or pillar
- Target table dimensions — length, width and height (or a range if you are uncertain about one of the dimensions)
- Number of people daily and at maximum — this allows ergonomic sense-checking of the dimensions
- Whether the table should be extendable — if so, by how much and on which side (side leaves or front slide)
- Leg style — wooden or metal, steel colour, base shape (straight legs, trapezoid, central beam)
- Top thickness and edge — if you have preferences; if not, describe the interior style and we will suggest
- Wood colour — natural, whitened, honey, walnut oil or another finish; it is worth ordering samples before deciding
- Inspiration photographs — if you have Pinterest images, photographs of completed projects or screenshots — attach them; this cuts the time spent discussing aesthetics in half
- A photograph or sketch of the space — optional but very helpful when assessing proportions
The lead time for a made-to-measure table is typically 20–35 working days. For projects of greater complexity — longer, which we will communicate at the quoting stage.
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