How to Choose the Right Table Tops

Choosing the right table tops is an important decision for any space including restaurant, café, coffee shop, bar or hotel. The right tabletop needs to complement your interior, withstand daily commercial use and be easy to maintain between customers.

From practical laminate and MFC surfaces to natural solid wood, elegant marble and durable outdoor table tops, each material offers different benefits.

In this guide, we explain the main types of commercial table tops, their best uses, how to choose the right size and how to care for your investment.

Which Table Top Material Is Best for Your Hospitality Space?

The best material depends on your venue, the look you want to achieve, how frequently your tables will be used and the level of maintenance you can provide.

1. Laminate MDF Table Tops

Best for: Restaurants, fast-food outlets, cafés, coffee shops and hotels.

Laminate MDF table tops offer a practical and versatile solution for busy hospitality environments. Available in a wide range of colours, patterns and finishes, they make it easy to coordinate your tables with your existing furniture and interior design.

Key benefits:

• Easy to clean and maintain.

• Available in a variety of colours and decorative finishes.

• Suitable for busy dining environments.

• A practical option for venues looking for an attractive, cost-effective tabletop.

Our laminate MDF table tops are intended for indoor use only. The heat resistance of up to 180°C stated for this range should be checked against the specification of the particular product you choose. Always use suitable mats or heat protection when placing hot dishes on a tabletop.

2. MFC Melamine Table Tops

Best for: Cafés, fast-food areas, workplaces, educational facilities and staff dining spaces.

MFC (melamine-faced chipboard) table tops offer a practical option for environments where ease of cleaning, everyday durability and value for money are important.

Our TUFF TOP Original MFC range features an easy-clean surface, scratch-resistant properties and impact-resistant 2mm ABS edging. The published product specification states heat resistance up to 90°C.

Key benefits:

• Easy-clean melamine surface.

• 2mm impact-resistant ABS edging.

• Resilient to everyday scratches.

• A choice of decorative finishes, including wood-effect and solid colours.

• Available in selected standard sizes, with alternative sizes available to order.

MFC table tops are designed for indoor use. To protect the surface, avoid abrasive cleaning pads and use suitable protective mats for hot items.

3. Solid Wood Table Tops

Best for: Restaurants, fine dining venues, cafés, coffee shops, pubs and hotels.

Solid wood table tops bring natural warmth, character and timeless appeal to a hospitality interior. Each top has its own natural grain, helping create a distinctive look that complements both traditional and contemporary spaces.

Our solid wood options include oak and walnut finishes, with staining options available to help coordinate your tables with your interior, subject to the product and finish selected.

Key benefits:

• Natural wood character and timeless style.

• Suitable for premium dining and hospitality environments.

• Available in different sizes and thicknesses, depending on the range.

• Stain options to complement your existing furniture.

• Can offer a long service life when properly cared for.

How to care for solid wood table tops

Lacquered and stained wood finishes need gentle cleaning to protect their appearance. Use a soft cloth dampened with warm water and a small amount of mild soap, then dry the surface with a clean cloth. Avoid abrasive cleaners, bleach, ammonia, solvents, alcohol-based sanitising products and aggressive sprays, including D10 sanitiser, as these can damage the lacquer.

Newly manufactured or installed tops need particular care while the finish cures. Allow several days for the finish to develop heat resistance and up to two weeks to fully harden, as specified for the finish supplied. During this period, use coasters and heat-resistant mats rather than placing hot items directly on the surface.

Store solid wood products in a stable, temperature-controlled environment between 10°C and 25°C, with air able to circulate around all surfaces. This is particularly important after delivery and during colder months.

Our guarantee for stained wood products does not cover damage caused by unsuitable cleaning products.

4. Marble and Porcelain Table Tops

Best for: Restaurants, cafés, coffee shops, hotels and premium hospitality spaces.

Marble and porcelain table tops offer a sophisticated finish for venues looking to create an elegant, contemporary or luxurious dining environment.

Natural marble is prized for its distinctive veining and individual character. Porcelain provides an alternative for customers seeking a refined stone-inspired appearance, with performance characteristics that depend on the particular product.

Key benefits:

• Elegant finishes that complement premium interiors.

• A choice of natural stone and decorative porcelain designs.

• Suitable options for a range of hospitality settings.

• White Carrara marble and selected porcelain décors available in our range.

Some porcelain and specialist table tops are suitable for outdoor use, while others are designed for interiors. Always check the specification of the individual product before using it outside.

How to care for marble table tops

Marble requires more careful maintenance than many synthetic surfaces. Clean spills promptly, especially acidic substances such as wine, fruit juice, citrus and some soft drinks, which can etch the surface and leave dull marks.

For routine cleaning, use a soft microfibre cloth with mild soapy water, then dry the surface to minimise water marks. Avoid vinegar and acidic cleaning products. Use coasters and mats to help protect the surface from hot items, scratches and stains.

A suitable stone sealant may help reduce liquid absorption, but it will not prevent acid etching. Seek advice on the appropriate treatment and maintenance schedule for your specific marble top.

5. Outdoor Table Tops

Best for: Pub gardens, restaurant terraces, outdoor cafés, hotel patios and other external dining areas.

Outdoor table tops need to cope with weather exposure and frequent use while retaining their appearance. Choosing a material specifically designed for outdoor conditions is essential.

Our range includes several outdoor tabletop options:

• Compact laminate: A durable, low-maintenance option with good resistance to moisture and everyday wear. Selected products are suitable for indoor and outdoor use.

• Robinia wood: A natural timber option for outdoor settings, offering distinctive grain and character.

• EKO table tops: An alternative outdoor tabletop range for hospitality environments.

• Topalit and Werzalit: Established tabletop brands offering practical, durable options for commercial outdoor dining.

How to care for outdoor table tops

Follow the cleaning instructions for the particular material and manufacturer. For compact laminate, routine cleaning with a soft cloth or non-abrasive sponge, warm water and mild soap is generally suitable. Remove spills promptly and avoid abrasive pads, bleach and harsh chemicals unless the product manufacturer specifically confirms compatibility.

Outdoor suitability, weather resistance and maintenance requirements vary between materials, so check the product specifications before choosing a tabletop for an exposed area.

How to Choose the Right Table Top Size

Choosing the right tabletop size helps create a comfortable dining experience while making the best use of your available floor space. Consider how many people you need to seat, the type of service you provide and the space required for customers and staff to move around the tables.

The following sizes are useful starting points for typical hospitality layouts.

600mm Square or Round Table Tops

Best for: Two-person café tables and compact coffee shop layouts.

A 600mm square tabletop or a round tabletop measuring 600mm in diameter is a popular option for smaller spaces. These sizes can work well for two people enjoying coffee, a light meal or a quick visit.

They are particularly useful where floor space is limited, although the available dining space will depend on the table base, chairs and service requirements.

700mm Square or Round Table Tops

Best for: Two-person hospitality tables and casual dining areas.

A 700mm square tabletop or a round tabletop measuring 700mm in diameter provides additional surface space for plates, drinks and tableware.

This size is worth considering for cafés and restaurants where guests may be staying longer or ordering a fuller meal.

1200mm × 700mm Rectangular Table Tops

Best for: Four-person dining tables in restaurants and casual dining spaces.

A rectangular tabletop measuring 1200mm × 700mm can accommodate four people in many dining layouts. Its longer shape makes it suitable for a variety of hospitality settings and can help create a consistent arrangement across a dining area.

Always check that the table base provides suitable support for the tabletop dimensions and that there is sufficient room for chairs and comfortable movement around the table.

What Other Table Top Sizes Are Available?

Larger tabletops may be suitable for group dining, family tables and commercial settings where more surface area is required. The number of people a table can accommodate depends on its shape, dimensions, chair arrangement and the type of dining experience you want to provide.

Consider the following when choosing a size:

• Table shape: Round, square and rectangular tops create different seating arrangements.

• Number of guests: Allow enough space for each person to dine comfortably.

• Available floor space: Leave adequate clearance for chairs, walkways and staff.

• Table base compatibility: Check that the base supports the top securely and is suitable for its dimensions and weight.

• Intended use: A compact coffee table may need different dimensions from a full-service restaurant dining table.

If you need a non-standard size, check the available made-to-order options.

How to Choose the Right Table Base

Your tabletop and table base need to work together to create a stable, functional table. Before ordering, check the base’s recommended tabletop dimensions, maximum supported weight, fixing method and suitability for the intended environment.

The shape and size of the tabletop, as well as the number and position of guests, can influence which base is most suitable. A larger or heavier tabletop may require a different base from a compact café table.

Consider the overall height, legroom and stability of the finished table, particularly in busy commercial environments.

Explore our range of table bases to find an option that complements your chosen tabletop.

General Table Top Care and Maintenance

Regular cleaning and suitable care can help extend the service life of your commercial table tops.

For the best results:

• Identify the tabletop material before selecting a cleaning product.

• Clean spills promptly to reduce the risk of staining or surface damage.

• Use soft cloths and non-abrasive cleaning methods where appropriate.

• Avoid harsh chemicals and sanitising products on lacquered or stained wood.

• Use coasters and suitable heat-resistant mats to help protect surfaces.

• Follow the manufacturer’s care instructions for specialist materials such as marble, porcelain and compact laminate.

• Check product-specific guidance before using disinfectants or commercial cleaning solutions.

Important: Cleaning products suitable for laminate or compact laminate may not be suitable for solid wood, veneer or natural marble. Always follow the care instructions for your particular tabletop.

Find the Right Table Tops for Your Business

Whether you are furnishing a busy café, designing a restaurant interior, updating hotel dining areas or creating an outdoor seating space, choosing the right tabletop is an important part of getting the finished result right.

Explore our range of commercial table tops to compare materials, finishes, shapes and sizes. If you are unsure which tabletop is most suitable for your venue, contact our team for advice on choosing a top and compatible base for your requirements.