Updated Sep. 05, 2024
Our Senior Shopping Editor's Castlery review explores the brand's mid-price furniture collection. She tested and reviewed the Seb Dining Table Set to see if this online brand is worth the hype.
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There’s one piece of furniture I’ll always remember: My parents’ kitchen table. Growing up, this was our family hub. It’s where we shared spaghetti dinners, rolled out Christmas cookies and prepped Thanksgiving stuffing. It’s where I spent countless hours doing homework or thumbing through my mom’s magazines. It’s the spot where many conversations started—and lasted until the wee hours of the morning. That table has been a gathering spot for loved ones all throughout my life.
So, when my husband and I needed to find a table for our kitchen, I took the task seriously. As you’ll learn in my LoveSac Sactional review, I’m a big proponent of “forever furniture.” I want pieces that will carry us through every stage of life. But in a world of flat-pack, budget-friendly options, those heirloom-worthy pieces can be tricky to find. Especially on the internet!
When I came across an Instagram ad for Castlery, I was intrigued. The brand claims to produce high-quality furniture in mid-century and contemporary styles, with reasonable prices to boot. Thinking this viral find was too good to be true, I tested the Castlery Seb Dining Table Set so I could evaluate the craftsmanship in my own kitchen.
Founded in 2013, Castlery is an online-only furniture brand selling goods for every room of your house. You can find sofas, tables, chairs, beds, storage, patio furniture and accessories. The furniture is made in China and Southeast Asia.
The Seb Dining Table Set I chose is just one part of a larger collection. You can find a Seb bed, desk, tv stand, dresser, console—you name it. These large collections are perfect for anyone who loves a matchy-matchy look. But there are plenty of cohesive pieces if you prefer to mix it up. Most everything on the Castlery site has a classic look that would suit many interior design styles, from farmhouse to Scandinavian.
VIA MERCHANT
With a bevy of custom options and super-sturdy construction, this dining set will last for decades.
When researching the best kitchen and dining tables, one of the things that drew me to Castlery was the ability to customize furniture to your needs. We have a pretty small kitchen nook to fit seating, and thanks to baseboard radiators, a built-in banquette was out of the question.
The Seb is sold in individual pieces and as a set. For the latter, you can choose between two table lengths, three bench options, two or four chairs and wood or fabric chair finishes. There are also extendable table options.
The pieces are made from solid Acacia wood and include a 1-year warranty.
I received the Seb Dining Table Set in May 2024. I chose the 59-inch table with two wood chairs and a 51.2-inch bench.
I opted for standard service delivery, which allows for drop-off in the first dry area of your home. I received a text to schedule my delivery window. Then, on delivery day, two kind workers brought three large cardboard boxes into my entryway. Each box was fairly heavy and bulky, so I needed help from my husband to move them into the kitchen.
Luckily, assembly was a breeze. The first box I opened contained two chairs; all I had to do was lift them out and remove any packing materials. Next, I tackled the bench, which required screwing in the legs. The table was similar—just at a larger scale. All I had to do was attach the legs, and voila! The assembly was complete. I did need a hand to lift the table right-side up, but everything else was manageable by myself.
I could tell during delivery and assembly that this set was going to be sturdy. Each piece was heavily weighted—a stark contrast to the MDF flat-pack furniture I’m used to assembling.
More importantly, the set looked exactly like the listing photo. Everything from the cozy wood tone to the rustic, distressed finish matched my expectations. We have a lot of different wood tones throughout our kitchen. Specifically, the retro cabinets. And the table’s muted honey tone was a classic complement. Plus, if we ever decide to update the kitchen in the future, I’m confident this set will still look timeless.
Since it was delivered, my family has eaten several meals a week at our new kitchen table. While we’ve only had a max of four people around the perimeter, you could comfortably fit up to six.
We try to use placemats, trivets and coasters as much as possible, but there have been a few slip-ups. I’ve noticed some very slight water rings, but the table’s surface is surprisingly forgiving. For the sake of testing, I did purposefully spill some wine on the table. If you wipe it up immediately, there are no issues. However, the online listing makes it clear that this is a table surface that needs a little TLC, so, this may not be the most practical option if you’re cleaning up substantial messes on a daily basis.
The chairs and bench are incredibly sturdy. I’ve used them both to stand on when I need a little extra height, and they support my weight with ease. The padded fabric bench is definitely more comfortable than the plain wood chairs—especially if you’ve been sitting for a long time. My next step is to find some colorful chair cushions.
Beyond dining, this set has been useful for a bounty of tasks. We’ve used it to hold food for a family potluck, unpack groceries and sort mail. Since my kitchen is short on counter space, I’m excited to have a designated space for rolling out holiday cutout cookies and pie crusts.
This set has required very little maintenance since its inaugural assembly. I wipe crumbs up after we eat, but that’s about it.
Castlery recommends using a slightly damp cloth to clean and avoid harsh chemicals. They also suggest avoiding direct heat or sunlight to prevent fading. My kitchen is very sunny, but so far, I have had no issues.
I will say that this table is not as forgiving as materials like laminate or glass. So if you have young kids or messy eaters that require substantial clean-up after a meal, the wood will likely show signs of wear.
I’m not the only one who gives 5-star Castlery reviews. Over 150 reviewers love their Seb set.
“I recently purchased Seb dining table, and I must say, it has exceeded all my expectations,” says Igor B. “The craftsmanship is evident in every inch. This dining table feels substantial and built to last, instilling a sense of confidence in its durability.”
Castlery super-fan Mark M. writes: “Another Castlery work of art! We love the look, feel and how solid this dining set is. We look forward to this set proving our family many years of use. This is our 3rd order from Castlery this year and were already eyeing the Seb console table and Desmond leather arm chair to add to our home/ever growing collection. We love it!”
If you’re short on space, this table has uses beyond dining, too. “It’s a great size and very sturdy. Very well made and easy to put together,” says Allison B. “I’m actually using it as a desk because it holds my three monitors, my laptop, a desk lamp and all the notebooks I need to do my job.”
Yes! Castlery is a legitimate online furniture company that sells a wide assortment of home goods.
In my experience, yes. I was very impressed with the construction and quality of the Seb Dining Set I tested.
Nope! In order to keep costs down, the brand does not have a brick-and-mortar presence. That said, you can order free swatches for textile items.
I’ve tested 100s of products in my tenure as Senior Shopping Editor, including modular sectionals and mattresses. I have over eight years of experience aligning readers with home products that will make their lives easier. I also oversaw the research, testing and creation of our kitchen and dining table content, including the best dining sets, tables for small spaces, extendable tables, dining chairs, round tables and bar stools.
I consider Castlery to be the Goldilocks of online furniture. It’s not too cheap nor too expensive; the designs are contemporary yet classic, offering a timeless feel; the construction is sturdy, allowing solid materials like 100% acacia wood to sing. The Seb Dining Table Set, in particular, is a solid option that I expect to last for many stages of life.
VIA MERCHANT
With a bevy of custom options and super-sturdy construction, this dining set will last for decades.
You can find the full collection of Castlery furniture, including the Seb Dining Table Set I tested, on the Castlery website. The exact set I ordered retails for $1,426, but the price varies depending on the configuration.
Originally Published: July 24, 2024
