Your Guide to Choosing the Perfect Rustic Dining Table

Your dining table is the heart of your home and a place for good food, conversation, and the people that matter most.

At Acumen Collection, every rustic pine dining table is handcrafted to order in the UK using sustainably sourced, kiln-dried Scandinavian red pine — a timber celebrated for its strength, warmth, and timeless beauty.

This wood has a long history of use in artisan furniture making. It’s a reasonably dense pine, grown ethically and known for its distinctive pinkish grain and natural stripe variations, which give each table its own unique character. Durable yet full of charm, it’s the perfect foundation for furniture that’s built to last a lifetime.

From choosing your leg design and finish to selecting your wax tone and edge detail, every Acumen table is made to your exact specification. Here’s how to design your perfect rustic dining table, step by step.

Step 1: Choose Your Leg Style

Your table legs set the tone for the whole design. Choose from five distinctive styles, each crafted for balance and strength:

• Trapezoid Legs – clean and contemporary.

• Spider Legs – sculptural and bold, ideal for statement spaces.

• X Frame Legs – classic industrial style with strong symmetry.

• Square Legs – timeless and versatile.

• V-Leg – modern with a subtle angled design.

Each style pairs beautifully with both rustic and modern interiors.

Step 2: Choose Your Table Length

Select the perfect length for your space — from 90cm up to 300cm.

Smaller tables suit compact kitchens and dining corners, while larger designs make a striking statement in open-plan living spaces.

Step 3: Choose Your Table Width

Pick from 88cm, 110cm, or 132cm widths depending on your layout and seating needs.

Need something specific? We also offer bespoke sizing — simply get in touch for a tailored quote.

Step 4: Choose Your Timber Thickness

Our solid pine tabletops are available in two thicknesses:

• 35mm – a balanced, classic look (similar to a scaffold board).

• 50mm – a chunkier option for real presence and durability.

For tables over 180cm, we recommend the 50mm top for added stability.

Step 5: Choose Your Wood Style

Select the timber finish that best suits your home:

• Rustic Weathered – highlights the natural timber grain with a unique, textured appearance. The waxed and oiled surface preserves the rough-sawn look for a striking two-tone rustic effect — perfect for those who love authentic, artisanal charm.

• Modern Planed – offers a sleek, smooth surface with even colour and a refined, contemporary aesthetic ideal for modern interiors.

Step 6: Choose Your Wax Finish

Bring out the natural character of your table with one of seven premium Fiddes wax finishes.

You can choose between two types of protection:

• Hard Wax Oil – our most durable option. Water- and stain-resistant, child-safe when dry, and even suitable for outdoor use (with care).

• Fiddes Supreme Wax Polish – a traditional, environmentally friendly wax blend that enhances the grain and gives a warm, natural sheen.

We recommend maintaining your finish once a year to keep your table looking its best — and we’re always here to advise.

Step 7: Choose Your Leg Finish

Finish your chosen base with one of three options:

• Satin Black Powder Coat – a tough, protective layer with a smooth, uniform appearance.

• Clear Coat (Raw Steel) – a lacquered raw steel look with visible welds, giving an industrial edge.

• Custom RAL Colour – for a completely bespoke look, we can powder coat your legs in any RAL colour.

All coatings are suitable for indoor use. If you plan to use your table outdoors, please contact us before ordering for tailored advice.

Step 8: Choose Your Edge Profile

The finishing touch. Choose from two handcrafted edge styles:

• Rounded Edge – smooth, soft, and family-friendly.

• Live Edge – organic and natural, following the original shape of the timber.

Each edge is individually finished by hand to complement your chosen wood style.

Step 9: Add an Extendable Leaf (Optional)

Need extra room for guests? Add two leaf extensions to either end of your table.

Attached with a robust cantilever steel frame, the extensions add 40–100cm of extra dining space when you need it — and store neatly away when you don’t.

Assembly takes just a few minutes.

Step 10: Get Your Space Ready & Care for Your Table

Once your order is placed, your table will be handmade to order and delivered within 6–8 weeks.

Before delivery:

• Let us know if you have any access restrictions (stairs, narrow doors, etc.).

• Clear and protect your space before assembly.

• Turn off or lower underfloor heating (to 16°C) for the first two weeks after delivery.

For ongoing care:

• Wipe clean with a warm, damp cloth only.

• Use our Fiddes Surface Cleaner for daily cleaning.

• Re-wax or re-oil every 6–12 months to nourish the wood.

• Always use coasters, placemats, and trivets to protect from heat and marks.

Each table will naturally develop small movements or hairline cracks over time — this is part of the wood’s charm and doesn’t affect strength or longevity.

Every Acumen table comes with a Lifetime Guarantee, reflecting our confidence in its craftsmanship and quality.

Crafted for Living

Whether you’re drawn to rustic warmth or modern minimalism, your Acumen table is designed to grow with your home — made from honest materials, crafted with care, and built to last.

Explore the Rustic Pine Dining Collection →