We wanted to make sure that we could sit easily and comfortably and cross our legs underneath each table. Comfort: We sat at each table to determine its comfort.(All of the tables within our sub-$1,000 budget were held together with hardware, versus the traditional tongue-and-groove wood construction you might find in models at higher prices.) Stability and construction: We tried to shake, lift, and move the tables to gauge their quality.Many seemed bigger and darker than they did online-something to consider if you’re decorating a smaller space. Looks: We judged the tables for their overall appearance and compared with how they looked online.One person was able to put it together in around 15 minutes. We found the Damen easy to assemble-we just needed to attach the legs. You could tone down the country-kitchen look by using more-modern chairs or, down the line, painting the table it also comes in an unpainted version. The narrow, widely spaced legs offer maximum seating capacity. The piece’s small scale helps it work well for an apartment, as a kitchen table, or even as a desk or craft table. The oak tabletop on this model should be more durable than the pine that IKEA uses on its solid-wood tables (although it will still dent and scratch easily).

The price includes delivery (through Amazon Prime), making it a good alternative if you want an inexpensive wood table and don’t live near an IKEA store (or have a car to get there). Despite being one of the cheapest solid-wood tables we’ve found, it’s well made and sturdy, with a varnished solid-wood top that feels like it will last. Why it’s great: The butcher-block-style Coaster Home Furnishings Damen Dining Table is one of Amazon’s best sellers and has high customer reviews.

Small kitchen tables for sale