Choosing the Perfect Finish for Your Bespoke Wooden Table

When investing in a bespoke wooden table, the finish you choose is just as important as the wood itself. The right stain or coating will enhance the natural beauty of the timber, protect it from daily wear, and ensure your table lasts for years to come. At The Table Guy, we work with a range of woods — from reclaimed scaffold boards to chunky pine, oak, teak, and even bamboo — each finished with carefully chosen oils, waxes, or stains.

Patio & Garden Tables: Reclaimed Character, Protected for the Outdoors

Our patio and garden tables often feature reclaimed scaffold board tops, celebrated for their natural charm and individuality. For outdoor use, we finish them with OSMO — an all-in-one translucent wood stain that colours, protects, and nourishes exterior timber.

• Clear coat option: One of our most popular finishes is a simple clear coat, which allows the unique character of each reclaimed board to shine through. Because the boards vary in tone, you’ll often see a blend of lighter and darker shades.

• Adding colour: If you introduce a stain, the intensity can soften some of these natural variations. We normally apply one coat followed by a clear finish, striking the balance between protection and character. Two coats deepen the effect but may give a slightly “painted” look at first, which will mellow with age unless refreshed.

Tip: We always recommend requesting scaffold board stain samples to get a sense of the final effect. Bear in mind that every board is unique, so the final finish may vary slightly from the sample, and oils naturally age over time.

Dining Tables: Durability Meets Elegance

When it comes to indoor dining tables, practicality and longevity are key. For these, we use a water-based stain from Manns, followed by two or more coats of Fiddes Hard Wax Oil. This blend of waxes and oils not only enhances the natural grain but also provides:

• A hard, durable coating

• Scratch and scuff resistance

• Protection against liquid spills

This method seals the stain in place, offering greater stability than natural oils alone.

Note: Stains behave differently on chunky pine compared to reclaimed scaffold boards, so if you request a sample, be sure to specify which material your table will be made from.

Colour Options: Wooden Frames & Metal Legs

Your bespoke table isn’t limited to timber finishes. We also offer a wide choice of frame and leg colours to match your interior or exterior style.

• Wooden frames: Can be painted in virtually any colour. For outdoor frames, we often use Cuprinol Garden Shades, while for dining tables we can match to Farrow & Ball tones for a refined, interior look.

• Metal legs: Powder-coated in a wide range of RAL colours. Standard shades are included, while unusual colours may involve a small extra fee.

• 
  

⚠️ Dark colours tend to show scuff marks more easily than lighter shades — something worth keeping in mind when making your choice.

Making the Right Choice

Choosing a stain or finish can feel overwhelming, given the endless options. Here are a few guiding points:

• Consider the room or setting: outdoor finishes need greater resilience; indoor finishes can be more refined.

• Think about maintenance: clear oils and lighter shades may need refreshing sooner than darker, heavier stains.

• Embrace natural variation — it’s part of what makes every reclaimed or bespoke table truly unique.

Final Thoughts

Your table isn’t just a piece of furniture — it’s the heart of your home, a place for meals, celebrations, and everyday moments. The finish you choose helps tell its story, blending character with durability. Whether you prefer the raw individuality of reclaimed boards with a clear coat, or the smooth, protected look of a stained pine dining table, we’ll help guide you every step of the way.

👉 Explore our gallery for inspiration or request stain samples to see how your dream table could look.