Solid wood tabletops can be designed with different edge profiles, or style of table edge. If you’ve ever looked at countertops during a kitchen or bathroom renovation, this is the same concept.
Wood table edge profiles are one of those design details that are often missed by the untrained eye—but the profile lends a lot to a piece including style, functionality, and durability.
Types of Wood Edges
Woodworkers utilize a wide variety of wood edges to create distinctive table designs. At Union Wood Co we’ve simplified the choice to three standard table edges: square, bullnose, and chamfer. In addition, the chamfer is available in three angles.
Each one of these edge profiles complement the contemporary design of our tables. This makes it easy for you to mix and match the wood edge with a table base for a table that perfectly suits your needs.
Square Edge
- Contemporary simplicity
- Works in all styles of spaces
- Visually has more heft or weight
- Displays the character of the wood more clearly
Bullnose
- Rounded ‘softer’ and smooth edge
- Classic, versatile style
- Good for casual spaces
- Tends to be more practical and durable
Chamfer
Available in three angles: 30° (seen above), 45°, or 60° (both seen below)
- Eased edge or bevel cut along the edge
- Adds visual interest to the edge
- Lightens the look of a thicker tabletop
- Typically traditional and more elegant but works with almost any style
Certainly there are more showy, complex profiles available but we believe that simpler is better. These three wood edge profiles blend with our table designs, rather than distract.
How to Decide on a Table Edge Profile
There are a couple rules of thumb to help you pick the right profile:
Style & Setting
The tabletop is the first thing that catches your eye when looking at a table. The edge profile - along with the choice of wood and table shape - helps define the style of the tabletop.
Do you want your table edge to stand out or blend in? Consider your room design and function. For example, an elegant dining room might suit a different table edge than a casual high-traffic kitchen table.
Lifestyle (AKA Practicality)
The edge profile serves practical purposes as well. For example, parents of young kids will tell you that some edges are definitely safer than others. The softer shape of rounded edges are preferred to sharply-squared edges (because heads and ‘pointed’ edges aren’t a good mix).
For someone that grips the table edge more often, either to push away from the table in a chair several times per day or to use it for stability purposes, a softer edge is also a better choice.
Certain profiles are more durable in that they protect the edges from damage. Square edges may ‘dent’ more easily than rounded edges, especially in high-use situations.
When you’re looking through our workspace or dining tables, keep in mind that the table edge shown in the image can easily be changed: Select the “Edge Profiles” drop down to see the options.