Dining Delights: How to Choose the Right Dining Table
Round, rectangle, or square? How big? Here's how to find a dining table that works for your space
There are so many shapes and sizes of dining tables. Which one is right for you? The look of your table is important, of course, but making sure it fits your space and gives enough seating is even more critical.
Your table needs to allow for the number of diners you want to seat comfortably and still leave enough room to walk around it. The width of your table should be at least 90 centimetres wide so there is ample space for place settings as well as food. Typically, as the table length increases, so does the width of the tabletop. Read on for sizes and shapes to consider when shopping for your next dining room table.
Your table needs to allow for the number of diners you want to seat comfortably and still leave enough room to walk around it. The width of your table should be at least 90 centimetres wide so there is ample space for place settings as well as food. Typically, as the table length increases, so does the width of the tabletop. Read on for sizes and shapes to consider when shopping for your next dining room table.
Measure table-to-furniture clearance
If you have furniture or other fixtures in your dining space, begin your measurement from the edge of the furniture instead of from your wall.
If you have furniture or other fixtures in your dining space, begin your measurement from the edge of the furniture instead of from your wall.
My crazy way of measuring
To test out a table size in a room I grab a bed sheet or two, place it where the table will go, and fold it into the shape of the table. This allows me to visualise the space it will take up. Then I can measure the wall/furniture-to-table clearance. If your table has extension leaves, include them in your calculations.
Bringing Back the Kitchen Table
To test out a table size in a room I grab a bed sheet or two, place it where the table will go, and fold it into the shape of the table. This allows me to visualise the space it will take up. Then I can measure the wall/furniture-to-table clearance. If your table has extension leaves, include them in your calculations.
Bringing Back the Kitchen Table
Don’t overcrowd your table
Table manufacturers should recommend the number of people who can comfortably sit around a table without touching elbows while eating.
Each person needs about 60 centimetres of eating space. Of course, if your table allows for it, you might be able to squeeze in another chair or two for those occasional larger gatherings.
Table manufacturers should recommend the number of people who can comfortably sit around a table without touching elbows while eating.
Each person needs about 60 centimetres of eating space. Of course, if your table allows for it, you might be able to squeeze in another chair or two for those occasional larger gatherings.
Round tables are great for small spaces
They fit in tight spaces and have no sharp corners to bump into. You can usually fit more people around circular tables because they have no corners. Pedestal tables are even better, as they offer more legroom.
Add transparent acrylic chairs to show off a beautiful table and make a small room feel more spacious.
Browse more compact dining spaces
They fit in tight spaces and have no sharp corners to bump into. You can usually fit more people around circular tables because they have no corners. Pedestal tables are even better, as they offer more legroom.
Add transparent acrylic chairs to show off a beautiful table and make a small room feel more spacious.
Browse more compact dining spaces
Seating sizes for round tables
I usually stick to these calculations to begin looking for round tables. Manufacturers may offer different recommendations, and you might be able to add more seating for a tighter fit. Also keep in mind that using a pedestal base allows more seating because it eliminates table legs, which can get in the way of chairs.
I usually stick to these calculations to begin looking for round tables. Manufacturers may offer different recommendations, and you might be able to add more seating for a tighter fit. Also keep in mind that using a pedestal base allows more seating because it eliminates table legs, which can get in the way of chairs.
- 90-centimetre diameter with a pedestal base seats four.
- 120-centimetre diameter with legs seats four.
- 150-centimetre diameter with a pedestal base seats six.
- 150-centimetre diameter with legs seats four.
- 180-centimetre diameter with pedestal base or legs seats eight.
- 210-centimetre diameter with pedestal base or legs seats nine.
A rectangular table works well in a long, narrow room
It leaves more room for traffic flow. For most tables, the length increases with the width.
Dining Tables: Which Shape is Best?
It leaves more room for traffic flow. For most tables, the length increases with the width.
Dining Tables: Which Shape is Best?
Seating sizes for rectangular tables
These are the sizes I stick to when looking for rectangular tables. Again, manufacturers may offer different recommendations, and you might be able to add more seating for a tighter fit.
These are the sizes I stick to when looking for rectangular tables. Again, manufacturers may offer different recommendations, and you might be able to add more seating for a tighter fit.
- 120 centimetres long seats four.
- 150 to 180 centimetres long seats six.
- 210 centimetres long seats eight.
- 240 to 300 centimetres long seats 10.
- 300 to 335 centimetres seats 12.
Lazy Susan feature
If you choose a round table 150 to 180 centimetres in diameter, consider adding the convenience of a central lazy Susan. Although the round table can be a space saver, the larger it gets the harder it becomes to reach the mashed potatoes.
Space-Saving Ideas for Tables and Chairs
If you choose a round table 150 to 180 centimetres in diameter, consider adding the convenience of a central lazy Susan. Although the round table can be a space saver, the larger it gets the harder it becomes to reach the mashed potatoes.
Space-Saving Ideas for Tables and Chairs
Go big on the table and small on the seating
When looking to take up less room in a space, try incorporating a banquette or bench seat instead of chairs on one or all sides of your table. Make sure you can push the bench under the table so you can stash it away when not in use.
When looking to take up less room in a space, try incorporating a banquette or bench seat instead of chairs on one or all sides of your table. Make sure you can push the bench under the table so you can stash it away when not in use.
Go square
If your room is square, a square table, like a round one, makes for a more intimate dining experience because everyone is grouped closely together. It will also look great mimicking the room’s shape.
Like round tables, the bigger a square table is, the harder it will be to reach for food. If you are looking to seat more than eight people comfortably, try out your table in person. You might be better off with a square table that comes with extension leaves that you can transform into a rectangular table for a dinner party.
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If your room is square, a square table, like a round one, makes for a more intimate dining experience because everyone is grouped closely together. It will also look great mimicking the room’s shape.
Like round tables, the bigger a square table is, the harder it will be to reach for food. If you are looking to seat more than eight people comfortably, try out your table in person. You might be better off with a square table that comes with extension leaves that you can transform into a rectangular table for a dinner party.
Tell us
If you found this story helpful, like it, bookmark it, save the photos and share your thoughts below. Join the conversation.
More
Read more stories about dining areas
First, measure the space around the room. To allow diners to sit down and get up easily from their seats, try to leave 100 to 120 centimetres between your table and the walls.
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