My Honest Take on the Asta Oak Dining Table

We'd been eating off a wobbly IKEA table for three years when my partner finally put their foot down. "We're getting a proper dining table," they announced after it collapsed during a dinner party. Embarrassing doesn't begin to cover it.

After scrolling through endless furniture websites, we stumbled across Nordisk Planke and their Asta table. The price tag made me wince initially - 11,400 kr after discount - but we decided to bite the bullet. Here's what we actually got for our money.

The Good Stuff

This thing is seriously heavy. Like, we had to clear a path through the house and recruit two neighbors to help move it into position. The oak is properly thick at 4cm, and you can tell it's solid wood immediately. No particle board nonsense here. The grain patterns are gorgeous too - ours has these sweeping lines that catch the light differently throughout the day.

The split tabletop with that V-groove down the middle looked a bit weird in photos, but it works brilliantly in person. It breaks up what would otherwise be a massive slab of wood and gives it some character. Plus, it's actually functional - the groove acts like a subtle centerline when you're setting the table or serving food.

We went with the white oil finish, which was the right call for our kitchen. It's light enough to keep things feeling airy but still shows off the wood grain. The trapeze legs in black metal look sharp against the pale oak, though I was tempted by some of their other base options.

Like with all other wooden plank tables from Nordisk Planke, the wood is main from sustainable products and natural oils. Nordisk Planke even sponsors a new tree for every wooden table that is sold.

Living With It Daily

Six months in, and this table has become the heart of our kitchen. The 240cm length means we can actually have people over without playing Tetris with chairs. We regularly seat eight people comfortably, which was impossible with our old setup. The 103cm width is perfect too - wide enough for proper place settings but not so wide that you can't pass the salt across.

The surface has held up remarkably well considering we don't use placemats and my partner has a habit of placing hot pans directly on tables (much to my horror). A few minor water rings have appeared, but they buff out easily with the maintenance oil they recommend. Speaking of which, the care instructions are straightforward - just oil it every few months and wipe up spills promptly.

The Reality Check

Let's be honest about the downsides. It's expensive, even with the discount we got. The delivery took nearly a month since it's made to order, which was frustrating when we were hosting family. And yes, it's heavy enough that rearranging furniture becomes a two-person job minimum.

The natural wood variations mean yours won't look exactly like the photos online. Ours ended up darker in some spots than expected, though I've grown to love the character it adds. If you're the type who needs everything to match perfectly, solid wood might not be for you. A wooden plank table is the perfect fit for many types of homes.

Is It Worth The Money?

Look, you don't "buy again" a table like this - it's built to outlast you. This is the kind of furniture our grandparents had that got passed down through families. The solid oak construction means it'll probably still be rock-solid when our kids are adults, assuming they don't completely ruin it first.

What you're really paying for is never having to think about buying another dining table again. No more browsing furniture stores every few years because something wobbles or looks tired. This thing will age beautifully - the oak will develop more character over time, and any scratches or dings just add to its story.

It's transformed how we use our dining space. We actually eat dinner at the table now instead of on the couch, and having friends over doesn't stress me out anymore because I know we have proper seating for everyone.

Bottom Line

If you're tired of furniture that feels temporary and you've got the budget for something substantial, the Asta table delivers. It's not cheap, but it feels like something we'll still be using in twenty years. Just make sure you've got the space for it and some strong friends to help with delivery day.