People choose a table by its top and think about the base afterwards. Yet in daily use the base is what you notice most: where your knees land, how many people sit comfortably, whether the table is steady.
Four legs (classic)
A leg at each corner. The best known and the most stable solution.
Strength: The soundest carrier for heavy tops. Natural stone and thick compact porcelain are heavy; four legs spread the load evenly.
Weakness: Anyone at the end has a leg between their knees. On an eight-seat table those at the short ends are uncomfortable. The legs also get in the way of a vacuum or a mop.
Best for: Tables seated along the long sides, with the short ends left free.
Pedestal (central base)
One carrier in the middle of the top with a wide foot below it.
Strength: The perimeter is completely clear. People sit where they like, knees never meet a leg, chair numbers are flexible. On round tables it is close to the only sensible choice.
Weakness: If the foot is not heavy enough, leaning on the edge can unbalance the table. On large rectangular tops, twin bases are used instead of a single pedestal.
Best for: Round and oval tables, rectangles up to about 140 cm.
Sled base
Legs at both ends sitting on wide runners parallel to the floor. The whole underside stays open.
Strength: Nothing obstructs the long sides; the number of seats is limited only by the length of the top. Visually it reads light.
Weakness: Sitting at the short end is awkward — the runner comes in front of your feet. And because the runner takes floor space, chairs may not push all the way in.
Best for: Long tables with many seats; tops of 200 cm and above.
Twin bases (U or V)
Similar to a sled but with shorter feet. Two separate carriers, one at each end.
Strength: Gives the open underside of a sled while taking less floor space. Carries heavy tops safely.
Weakness: How close the bases sit to the ends matters. Too far in and the end seats meet a leg; too far out and the top can flex in the middle.
Material
The base material affects both look and balance:
- Metal — high load capacity in a slim section. The most common solution under heavy stone tops. Powder coated in a choice of colours.
- Wood — reads warm, but needs a thicker section for the same strength. Visually it weighs the table down.
- Stone or porcelain base — the same material as the top. The most unified look, and the heaviest solution.
Three questions before deciding
- Will anyone sit at the short ends? If yes, four legs and sled bases are out.
- How heavy is the top? Natural stone and thick porcelain strain a single slim pedestal.
- How often will the table move? A sled runner can scratch the floor on a table that gets moved; felt pads are essential.
On our tables the base is chosen per order — you can have a top you like on a different base. Tell us how the room is used and we will work out which one fits.