apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

Try Craigslist and the Rose Bowl Flea Market.

Ikea has one like that for $150. That 100 bucks cheaper than the CB2 one.

Yeah, I was going to say Ikea too. We have one in our office lunch room. Looks nice and holds up well.

Doesn't the IKEA one get all wobbly? Friends had one for a while, but they ended up replacing it with a pedestal table they got on Craigslist.

My Ikea tulip table has held up perfectly. No wobbles what so ever. The only problem is the table surface, very easily damaged, so be careful. Otherwise, it's great for the price.

Craigslist

I recently had to consider a dining table for the first time in my life as well. I also ended up deciding on a round table (extendable), to help it feel less bulky.

I really liked the Avalon table from Crate and Barrel ($499), so I searched religiously on craigslist, and in 3 weeks, found the exact table I wanted for less than half the price!

While I also considered the IKEA model, I am glad I didn't go with it, as even the C&B version feels sturdy, which I'm sure I'll value in the end.

I searched "round dining" and "round kitchen table" every morning on Craigslist, and had plenty to choose. Good luck!

Does anyone know of a tulip table like the Ikea and CB2 ones but smaller (28" or smaller?) I love the look, but don't have the space.

Some things to consider when buying a table: Surface durabilty and structural durability.

MDF & particle board are great for table surfaces - but only as a substrate. But they both are damaged by water if not protected. So - Ikea & CB2 may have a great prices, but the table surfaces are only paint/paper laminate. If you leave a cold glass of water on it the water will damage the surface fairly quickly. A sheet of glass can protect the table surface from moisture fairly effectively.

Everyone I know who bought the Ikea pedestal table complains of wobbliness. I tend to go Craigslist rather than new for a couple of reasons. Pricing is usually better, and the table is sturdy enough to have survived one owner - its probably sturdy enoug to survive you. And its basically recyling rather than creating new products/waste.

The one downside is that you can't always get the style you want... but you can be surprised. I ended up with a GORGEOUS oak victorian pedestal table for only $75... saw a similar table in an antique shop for $500 3 days later.

CariJoyce - Restaurant suppliers often sell pedestal bases and round tops in whatever size you want, so you can make your own.

I have the ikea docksta now and i love it (a tiny wobble and all), BUT the BURBANK ikea doesnt carry it in the store now. so you have to special order it and have it delivered, meaning a LARGE delivery fee.
they said they can only hold so much inventory in the store.

*carljoyce: target has a small tulip end table (for like $20!) but i can't seem to find it now. good luck!

Cool, my question got posted! Thanks for the responses everyone!


Good to know about the wobbliness on the Ikea table. Thanks for that pointer. I'll need to go to a store and try it out!

I don't think i'm worried about water rings. I'm pretty anal about coasters and stuff like that. Plus I could always get a tablecloth or something.

I have been scouring craigslist almost daily. So far haven't come up with something I like (but I'm still looking).

Where is a restaurant store I'd be able to mix/match tops/bottoms? That might be a neat idea.

Thanks for the tip on the Burbank store. I planned on heading over there after work today to check it out. Guess I won't need to battle traffic now!

Cheers,
M