Complete Guide: How to Choose the Perfect Connubia Table for Your Home

The beauty is not just in choosing ‘a’ table, but in understanding how intensely this piece of furniture can define the mood of the entire room. Size, shape, colour, material, weight: every detail, even the smallest, such as a grain or the extension mechanism, can make a difference in choosing the perfect table. A difference that will determine your smile or grimace for many years to come.

Precisely because it will be with you for most of your days, enduring children, guests, sponges, plates and nails, it is always advisable to choose the right Connubia table for you right away. A table must be comfortable, durable and, of course, beautiful. It must blend in with the surrounding design without overpowering it, while boasting that quality that only an expert craftsman in the field can create. In other words, it must fit like a piece of a puzzle, giving meaning to the whole.

In this article, we bring you the best and guide you step by step in choosing the perfect table for you. If you are looking for a Made in Italy quality brand that combines craftsmanship and innovation, design and functionality, with a Connubia table you can get this and much more. A hundred years of history that, while passing on solid, ever-evolving know-how, have preserved a taste for freshness and dynamism. Furthermore, Connubia is strongly committed to sustainability, but we will talk more about this in a dedicated article.

Connubia is the young, contemporary offshoot of the Orbital Design Collective Group, one of the main hubs for leading Italian brands in the international furniture sector. It dominates the mid-range design segment: affordable prices but significantly higher than the mass market, with truly challenging levels of quality and finish. In short, Connubia is the ideal choice for anyone looking for pieces with character, eco-conscious, ready to use and, above all, colourful.

So, choosing a table – whether for the kitchen, dining room or open-plan space – means finding an ally that works well today and will continue to do so for many years to come. Here are the main factors to consider in order to make an informed and successful choice.

Dimensions and proportions: keep an eye on the space!

The first thing to consider when choosing the size is whether a fixed table is sufficient for your needs. Connubia fixed tables are ideal for small spaces and a limited number of people, but if you love entertaining guests or want a larger table when needed, it is better to opt for Connubia extendable tables, designed to combine practicality and design.

Remember to allow at least 60 cm of space per person, including chairs and movement, and at least 1 metre between the table and walls or other furniture. If it is not a passageway, 50 cm may be sufficient. The standard height ranges from 74 to 76 cm, while the ideal space between the seat and the edge of the tabletop is 28-30 cm, so as to ensure freedom of movement.

Two quick formulas to check the measurements of your new Connubia table:

1. Minimum length (rectangular table)
   length = number of seats × 60 cm
   Add 40 cm if you plan to place chairs at the ends.
2. Passage space
   Distance from the edge to walls or furniture ≥ 90 cm (110 cm to ensure drawers/doors can be opened at the back).

Choosing the ideal shape

Often, it is the space you have available that determines the shape of the table. The most common choice is the rectangular table: it simply optimises space, especially in narrow rooms, and fits anywhere. If, on the other hand, you have the opportunity to experiment, we offer some really interesting Connubia round tables, ideal especially for square rooms. Encourage conversation and eliminate the head of the table!

The material of the top: a beautiful and durable Connubia table

Here, it is essential to assess the intensity of use. A dining table will certainly be subjected to greater stress than a living room table. Ceramic is very resistant to scratches and high temperatures, and is also easy to clean. On the other hand, it can convey a certain coldness, albeit elegant. Wood, on the other hand, offers a warmer and more welcoming appearance. Connubia tables with melamine tops offer a wide variety of aesthetic solutions, stability and the right resistance for everyday use; they may require more delicate cleaning. Other distinctive options include glass, glass/ceramic combinations and laminate.

Tempered glass

Transparent and bright, it visually lightens the environment and reflects natural light. It is resistant to light scratches and heat, easy to clean with a microfibre cloth, but requires attention to fingerprints and side impacts.

Glass + ceramic

Double layer: tempered glass underneath, ultra-thin ceramic slab on top. Combines the ‘floating’ effect of glass with the scratch- and stain-resistant hardness of ceramic. A rather sophisticated solution.

Wood

Decorative paper impregnated with melamine resin pressed onto chipboard. More economical and lighter, it offers good resistance to scratches and stains but is sensitive to hot pots and knives. You can choose from a wide range of colours. A small clarification: you may come across the term “melamine”, but it is always melamine-faced. It refers to the finish, i.e. the resin.

Laminate

More resistant than melamine, it can withstand the heat of a coffee cup, for example, but it is not reliable for placing pots on (without a trivet). The finishes are more realistic.

HPL

It is a high-pressure laminate. It is highly resistant to steam, impact and scratches, and is also used for kitchen worktops and outdoor furniture.

In short:

Everyday use by family and friends, budget under control
→ melamine: all you need is a chopping board and a trivet to make it last a long time.

Want extra protection against scratches and stains without breaking the bank?
→ laminate: more robust surface, more realistic wood/stone finishes.

Indestructible worktop
→ laminated HPL: thin edge, resistant to 160 °C+ and water/steam.

Prefer a light and bright look that lets the space ‘breathe’
→ tempered glass: easy to clean, but be careful of impacts on the edges.

Need maximum resistance to extreme heat and want a special aesthetic effect
→ ceramic/porcelain stoneware: tolerates hot pots, does not stain or scratch.

The material of the structure: wood or metal

The choice of legs is a matter of style and space. Perimeter legs offer maximum freedom of seating, while a central base enhances the dramatic design. Connubia structures are mainly made of metal and wood; metal is certainly the most resistant and easy to match material. It could also represent an excellent visual ‘break’ in an environment where wood dominates.

Colours and finishes: reflective or soft-touch?

If your environment is dominated by neutral colours and materials, allowing you to play with the table finish, the possibilities are almost endless. Here are a few tips for choosing the perfect Connubia table:

• light colours visually open up the space, while dark colours create contrast;
• dark colours hide wear and tear better;
• a matt finish generates fewer reflections, offers a soft-touch effect, is easier to clean and has a more sober yet elegant appearance;
• a glossy finish attracts attention and brightens the room, especially if it is dark; on the other hand, it is more difficult to clean and may be annoying in the presence of spotlights or lights that are too close.

Opening mechanisms: comfort comes first!

There are different types of extensions. If you have specific requirements, always ask about the opening mechanism and how to store the extensions when not in use. The most convenient systems allow for extension with automatic positioning of the extensions; usually, the extensions are pulled out and slide on telescopic guides, then open like a book or simply align themselves. Other models, however, usually very long ones, require the extensions to be positioned manually and stored separately when not in use.

An example of practicality is Connubia's Easy X-tension extensions - found, for example, in the Snap table - a mechanism that allows for quick and easy extension, thanks to an integrated extension hidden under the tabletop. The tabletop slides smoothly and the extension opens like a book, always maintaining the perimeter legs to ensure maximum comfort. Soft wheels under some legs facilitate movement, while the finishes of the extension match the main tabletop.

Another important factor to consider is the finish of the extensions in relation to that of the tabletop. The grain may not necessarily be aligned (continuous), appear in the same direction and, in some cases, be made of the same material.

Now you have all the tools you need to choose the perfect Connubia table! Enhance your surrounding décor and transform your everyday space into a welcoming place with a unique and unrepeatable personality. And if you have any questions, don't hesitate to contact us: our consultants are at your complete disposal, so you can't go wrong!