There is nothing quite like a real dinette set — a table, four chairs — preferably “vintage” — to anchor a kitchen design. A kitchen island? I had one once, and it was nice. But we still spent our best times, fee firmly planted on the ground and lounging around the kitchen table. There is something — democratic — about the kitchen table.
If you have a kitchen built in the 1940s, 1950s, 1960s or 1970s, it was likely designed to hold a dinette set. So this page focuses on where to find dinette sets — vintage and new, how to clean up a vintage dinette, how much they typically cost, and we have a fantastic slide show of 200+ dinette sets in readers kitchens.
Where to buy vintage dinette sets:
I am cheap. Used stuff is usually cheaper. And I think old stuff is usually better quality. Put these all together, and I vote: If you want a dinette set, shop for one vintage. Here are some ideas where to look:
- Craiglist — Anything bigger than a breadbox is going to be easier to buy locally. You can go look at it. You can throw it in your car and avoid shipping costs. So tip #1 is to start watching craigslist like a hawk. Read this story for 4 tips on finding great furniture deals on craigslist.
- Estate sales — These are my #1 favorite place to shop. They are ground-zero, houses full of lifetimes’ worth of possessions. If you are really hot on the trail for a vintage dinette, get there early and expect no discounts. These days, lots of dealers are also seeing the value in dinette sets, so you may have some competition, depending on your local market dynamics and the beauty of the set. See my story 8 tips to shop an estate sale.
- Garage sales — These can be hit or miss, but if you town doesn’t have many estate sales, you may have to cruise these.
- Thrift stores — Shop local thrift stores, including Salvation Army, Goodwill and the like. Think about branching out to smaller towns further from your house. In particular, look in smaller towns that were once thriving — maybe there was a factory that’s now closed? Any place that was thriving during the 1950s and 1960s likely has vintage stuff in it that is still coming out of houses built and furnished during those years.
The value of vintage dinettes:
- Expect to pay a few hundred dollars, more if the set is really special and more if you live a “hot” market for vintage.
- However, if you are willing to wait it out… you may find a set for as little as $50. I still do see deals like that on craigslist and at estate sales.
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Reupholstering your dinette chairs:
- Here’s a great story — and video — about how to reupholster your dinette chairs — affordably.
- There are numerous places to find fabric for dinette chairs, I archive them in this furniture category, scroll through to see the stories.
Vintage dinette sets — 1930s and 1940s:
Above: Before World War II, I think it was much more common to see dinettes built with metal tops painted in porcelain (baked on) enamels. We recently saw this New Old Stock table top for sale. It was from 1947, marketed by Sears. It sold on ebay for $229 plus shipping.
Vintage dinette set styles — 1950s:
I tend to think that 1950s dinette sets were usually similar to the one above — laminate top, wrapped with aluminum edging, fat upholstered chairs. But unusual or rare: Inlaid designs like the apples in the photo above. Also rare-ish to see chairs with built-in scrollwork or handles at the top of the seat.
Above: Daystrom, 1953.
The coolest vintage dinette ever — the Daystrom Playdine:
Yes, this vintage Daystrom PlayDine dinette set may be the coolest dinette ever. The laminate table top opens to reveal a poker table.
Vintage dinette sets — 1960s:
Above: I’m guessing this is from the 1960s. Lines are sleeker, designs more… stylized. It’s hard to say for sure, though, because trends seem to have lasted longer back in the day.
Jenny says
I just purchased a GORGEOUS dinette set at an estate sale today. It is in very good shape but does have a little bit of rust and needs to be cleaned up. I’ve been reading about how to clean and remove rust from chrome, but the chairs look to be made out of chrome and another type of metal – it is light bronze or cocoa in color and almost has a lightly hammered texture to it. Any ideas what this metal is so I can research the best ways to restore it? The set is by Queen City Dinettes.
pam kueber says
Hi Jenny, No, I am not an expert on this question. On questions regarding old materials like this I suggest you seek out an expert.
Joel says
I found a site that sells made-in-USA retro diner chairs/tables. I apologize in advance if this site is known to you guys. They sell chairs on Amazon too and get five-star reviews. Their tables come in a wide variety of legs, sizes, and laminates, including the gorgeous cracked ice laminates. Check them out:
http://www.barstoolsandchairs.com/diner-chairs.aspx
http://www.barstoolsandchairs.com/retro-tables.aspx
Shannon says
I just wanted to thank everyone for the inspiration and all the picture posts. I’ve been obsessed for years about finding something in good shape. I’m picking up a yellow and gray cracked ice table tomorrow from a Craigslist ad at last! 🙂
pam kueber says
Woot! We have an uploader planned for tomorrow — upload it!
Tula says
I was looking for ‘how to’ redo the laminate table top with inlay. I have my parents original vintage table with grey cracked ice. No luck. I wanted to see specifically how the inlaid is pieced, glued and sealed together. Does anyone have any information on this?
pam kueber says
I believe that most laminate tabletops with designs were ‘inlaid’ by stacking the various color deco papers, then putting them through the melamine press. See this story on how laminate is made – https://retrorenovation.com/2013/06/04/how-laminate-is-made/ This would be impossible to replicate today unless you get a company to do it for you. Alternatively, you could design your own tabletop and have them print the file and laminate it for you. Wilsonart has a custom-printing program like this, and Formica may have too.
If you don’t have an inlay – you can still get gray cracked ice laminate in sheets today. See https://retrorenovation.com/2010/08/01/where-to-find-crackle-ice-laminate/
Be wary of vintage nastiness that may be in your adhesives and/or other layers. Get with your own properly licensed professional to assess what you have so you can make informed decisions.
Linda says
I have a set of chrome dinette chair handles (8) very similar to the ones in the “Vintage dinette set styles — 1950s:” pictured above… does anyone know of a restoration place that might be interested in these? They are from the dining set that my parents purchased in 1959.
Carla McKinney says
Can anyone tell me where I can find pricing for the kitchen set on this page; it is the round white table with the round stand…about halfway down the page in the second column……two white chairs with matching round stands and beige cushion seats…I have a larger oval table with 6 chairs I am selling and I have no idea hot to price!! Thanks you!
Grace Schnick says
Anita, Can you smell the coffee? Looking at these brings back memories. Grandmom ,Mom and my Aunts in the kitchen drinking coffee! I can smell it!
Anita says
Hello, How can I purchase a dinette table on line? They are amazing! Thanks
pam kueber says
We don’t sell anything here
Anita says
Thanks for the reply back! This is only for show? Do you know if they are for purchase else where?
pam kueber says
These are photos uploaded by readers to share their treasures and so that we can see a sample of the variety out there.
You need to find these vintage – at local antique stores, on ebay and craigslist, for example. See the blog tomorrow – I am showing a GORGEOUS set currently for sale in Michigan.
Irene says
I have a set I would like help identifying. I have never seen another one like it. How can I upload pics? Thanks!
Chandra says
Hi there!
Can anyone tell me the best way to sell my 1950’s Daystrom Playdine dinette/poker table, with grey cracked ice Formica top and green felt on the poker top and chrome legs and trim? I have to sell it soon! Simply don’t have the room for it!
Thanks
Chandra
Sarah says
I need this if you haven’t already sold it
Chandra says
Hi Sarah no I have not sold it yet, however I do have someone that wants it bad! The only thing is that he won’t be able to buy it until he gets his tax return sometime in February. I really would like to be able to hold it for him, but I don’t have the space. I really need it gone and just like any business would say first come, first serve or leave a deposit! So if you still want it let me know!
pam kueber says
Folks, take this over to the buy/sell Forum please – https://retrorenovation.com/forums/
No buying/selling here on the main blog or it becomes chaos.
I will take this thread down momentarily.