From Fred Albert,
Your Guide to Furniture.
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Style

Let the architecture of the house, your décor, and the other elements in the room dictate the style of dining table you choose. “Complement the context,” says Los Angeles interior designer Jaime Laurella Rummerfield. If the atmosphere is traditional, a traditional table will usually look best; if it’s contemporary, go with a contemporary table.

Likewise, choose materials that echo the materials used elsewhere in the home. If you’re buying a wood table, select a wood that appears in the architecture or in another piece of furniture in the room, so the table will feel like a cohesive element in the home’s decor. If you’re going with a painted piece, repeat the color in the walls or other items in the room.

Finish

Traditional tables are usually made of wood. Certain woods, such as walnut and mahogany, will feel formal, while others, such as cherry, oak and pine, tend to look more casual.

Contemporary tables can be wood, glass, or another material, such as metal. If you want a table that extends, you’ll probably want to pick wood, since few manufacturers produce glass tables that expand. (Ligne Roset is one exception: Their Extensia table features overlapping panels that can be extended to nearly double the table's length.).

How concerned are you about staining and scratching? A wood tabletop is more susceptible to damage than glass, but can be refinished if needed. Traditional wood tables are a bit more forgiving, because they tend to feature carvings or figured veneers that help hide irregularities in the surface, while contemporary wood tables have little to distract you from errant scratches or water rings.

Glass-topped tables are less susceptible to spills and staining, but show fingerprints more readily, so they require some diligence to maintain. Many hosts don’t like glass tabletops because you can see your guests’ laps and feet, but table settings will usually obscure the view.

New or Antique?

Do you want a new table or something with a bit of history to it? Antique dining tables can add a sense of age and character to a room, but offer their own shopping challenges. If the table has leaves, be sure you take them out and try them before you buy, to make sure they fit correctly and match the finish of the rest of the table. If you’re buying an old farmhouse table or similarly rustic piece, check the height to make sure it’s suitable for dining (29-30 inches is standard), and try sitting at the table with the dining chairs you plan to use. (Some old tables have aprons that hang down from the top, making it hard to slide your legs under them.)

Quality

Last--but certainly not least--buy the best table you can afford. You'll remember the quality long after you've forgotten the price.