When it comes to furnishing your dining room, there’s nothing quite like finding that perfect table—a piece that not only anchors the room but also becomes the heart of your home, where memories are made, meals are shared, and style is showcased. But what happens when the table of your dreams comes with a price tag that makes you reconsider your entire furniture budget? That’s where we come in with a savvy solution that doesn’t sacrifice style for savings.
We absolutely love shopping designer websites as our starting point – that is of course where trends and fashions are started…but then we go looking for the affordable alternative – which is what we’ve done with a gorgeous dining table at Restoration Hardware. Let’s break down the details, so you can decide which one is the perfect fit for your dining space—and your wallet.
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The Designer Splurge: Restoration Hardware 87″ Oak Wood Rectangle Dining Table
Price: $$$$
Dimensions: Starting at 72″ L x 38″ L x 30″ H, ranging up to 132″ L x 46″ W x 30″ H
Material: Solid oak wood
Finish: Aged oak, showcasing a beautifully weathered look with rich, natural grain through an artisan crafted process.
Style: Restoration Hardware’s table is all about understated elegance and simple, organic midcentury design. It features clean lines, a robust silhouette, and that coveted blend of traditional craftsmanship with a contemporary twist. The thick tabletop and chunky legs exude a sense of permanence and durability, making it a true statement piece. The table is available in 4 colors and three sizes, giving you the option to customize to your style and audience size.
What We Love: This table is all about luxury. The aged oak finish gives it that heirloom quality, making it feel like a piece you could pass down through generations. Plus, the solid oak construction means it’s built to last. This is the kind of table that instantly elevates a room, making it feel like you’ve stepped into a designer’s dream home.
What We Don’t Love: The starting price point of this table is double the dupe, leaving you with less room in your budget for decorative accessories and lighting.
The Affordable Alternative: Bed Bath & Beyond 87″ Oak Wood Rectangle Dining Table
Price: $
Dimensions: 87″L x 43″W x 30″H
Material: White Oak Veneer
Finish: Weathered oak, designed to mimic the rich, natural grain of solid oak.
Style: At first glance, the Bed Bath & Beyond table could easily be mistaken for its pricier counterpart. It shares the same clean lines and robust silhouette, offering that same blend of traditional and modern contemporary styles. The thick tabletop and substantial legs give it a similar sense of permanence, making it a great centerpiece for your dining room.
What We Love: This table delivers high-end looks without the high-end price. The weathered oak finish is designed to mimic the natural grain of solid oak, and it does a pretty convincing job. It’s an excellent option for those who love the Restoration Hardware aesthetic but don’t want to spend a small fortune. It’s large enough for 8, so it is the perfect size table for entertaining! It also comes with a 180 day manufacturer warranty. The table comes in two shades – white oak and black.
What We Don’t Love: The price point of this table means that you’ll be building it yourself. It comes in three cartons, but easy assembly is mentioned.
Comparing the Specs: The Details Matter
While these two tables look almost identical, there are a few key differences that might influence your decision.
Durability: The solid oak construction of the Restoration Hardware table makes it a heavy hitter—literally. It’s a piece that’s built to last, but it also means it’s significantly heavier and harder to move. The Bed Bath & Beyond table, with its MDF core, is lighter and easier to handle, but may not stand up to as many years of wear and tear.
Material: The Restoration Hardware table is made from solid oak wood, giving it a more authentic, durable feel. The Bed Bath & Beyond version, on the other hand, uses an oak veneer over MDF. While MDF is a great option for keeping costs down and reducing weight, it may not have the same longevity as solid wood.
Finish: Both tables feature a weathered oak finish, but the Restoration Hardware table offers a richer, more nuanced grain that comes from using solid wood. The Bed Bath & Beyond table’s veneer finish is close, but if you’re a stickler for natural wood grain, you might notice the difference.
Price: This is where the Bed Bath & Beyond table truly shines. You’re getting a similar look and feel for a fraction of the cost. It’s a smart choice if you’re decorating on a budget or if you want to splurge on other items in your home.
The Verdict: Style Meets Savings
At the end of the day, both of these tables offer a beautiful, timeless look that will elevate any dining space. If you’re someone who values heirloom-quality pieces and has the budget to match, the Restoration Hardware table is a worthy investment. Its solid oak construction and nuanced finish make it a centerpiece that will stand the test of time.
However, if you’re more focused on achieving a high-end look without the designer price tag, the Bed Bath & Beyond table is an excellent alternative. It offers a similar aesthetic at a fraction of the cost, allowing you to allocate your budget to other areas of your home—perhaps a stunning set of dining chairs or that perfect chandelier you’ve been eyeing.
Check out below for how we’d style either dining table with a centerpiece, art, and lighting!
Ultimately, whether you choose to splurge or save, you’re getting a dining table that’s stylish, functional, and perfect for gathering loved ones around. And isn’t that what matters most?
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