Does IKEA Carry Solid Wood Dining Tables?

When you're furnishing a space as central and important as your dining room, finding a durable and beautiful piece is likely at the top of your list. IKEA, with its reputation for stylish and affordable furniture, is a natural first stop for many. But anyone focused on longevity and quality is probably wondering: Does IKEA actually carry solid wood dining tables? The answer is a nuanced yes, but it pays to know what exactly you are looking for.

While IKEA is well-known for its clever use of efficient, lightweight materials to keep prices down, it does also offer an attractive selection of dining tables crafted from solid wood. Tables like the NORDEN (solid birch), the SKOGSTA (solid acacia), and the NORDVIKEN (solid pine and solid birch) are just a few options. These are the tables designed to stand the test of time, blend with many dining table decorations, and develop a gorgeous patina with age (while offering a much sturdier feel, to boot). However, navigating the company's huge catalog to find these gems does require an informed eye; it is not always immediately obvious from the product name or even the brief product overview what the core material truly is.

What exactly does "solid wood" mean here? While the term seems straightforward, there are a few points worth noting. Simply put, solid wood consists of a single slab of natural wood rather than bonded layers. The term excludes medium-density fiberboard (aka MDF, a dense engineered wood product), particleboard (wood chips and resin), and wood veneer (a thin wood layer only a few millimeters thick glued to a cheaper substrate). When you invest in a solid wood dining table (and even other solid wood IKEA pieces that make for great kitchen storage), you are getting furniture that can often be sanded and refinished to remove stains, dents, or scratches and extend its already impressive lifespan.

IKEA's solid wood dining tables have a fairly classic design: four legs and a rectangular top. Some have rounded edges within more rustic designs, like the acacia NACKANÄS. Other models, including the gateleg PINNTORP and the small, storage-laden RESARÖ, have more functional features to help save space. Comparatively, if we drop the "solid wood" requirement, IKEA offers dining tables in a slightly larger variety of designs, such as those with rounded tops or iron legs.

You might be wondering how to choose between a hardwood or softwood table. A softwood like pine will be more affordable, lightweight, and easy to stain, but its soft structure means it will scratch or dent more easily. Alternatively, hardwoods like birch and acacia are stronger and more durable, making them great in high-traffic areas; however, they are typically more expensive. There are plenty of options, either way.

Now, how do you identify a solid wood dining table at IKEA? The key is to carefully read the "Product Details" or "Materials" section on the tag. Look for terms like "solid pine," "solid birch, "solid beech," or "solid acacia," as those are the most common wood types IKEA uses, to verify the table is, in fact, solid wood. 

Be careful about shopping what IKEA calls "solid wood", though. Some tables on the site only use a thin hardwood veneer for the surface, and others, such as the DANDERYD, may list solid wood alongside veneer, particleboard, and other cost-saving materials. While they have some unique benefits, wood veneers can chip or bubble over time to reveal the inferior interior layers, so consider how much other material you are willing to let in to your table. The devil's in the details, as they say.

While solid wood tables might come with a slightly higher price tag than IKEA's engineered wood counterparts, they still often represent excellent value compared to many options from other retailers. Moreover, the ability to repair and personalize your wooden table — maybe with stunning wood stain and paint color combinations years down the line — adds to the long-term appeal. So, if you're aiming for a beautiful item that'll last for years and offer the authentic feel of natural materials, a bit of careful research into IKEA's product descriptions might just lead you to your new solid wood dining table.