A Guide to Choosing 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 table top. Read on for sizes and shapes to consider when shopping for a 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 table top. Read on for sizes and shapes to consider when shopping for a dining room table.
Measure table-to-wall clearance
Measure the space around the room. To allow diners to sit down and get up easily from their seats, try to leave 100-120 centimetres between your table and the walls.
Measure the space around the room. To allow diners to sit down and get up easily from their seats, try to leave 100-120 centimetres between your table and the walls.
Measure table-to-furniture clearance
If there is furniture in the dining space, begin your measurement from the edge of the furniture instead of the wall.
If there is furniture in the dining space, begin your measurement from the edge of the furniture instead of the 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 leaves, include them in your calculations.
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 leaves, include them in your calculations.
Don’t overcrowd your table
The table manufacturer should recommend the number of people that can comfortably be seated 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 seat or two for those occasional larger gatherings.
The table manufacturer should recommend the number of people that can comfortably be seated 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 seat 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 it because it has 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.
Check out these dining solutions perfect for tiny spaces
They fit in tight spaces and have no sharp corners to bump into. You can usually fit more people around it because it has 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.
Check out these dining solutions perfect for tiny spaces
Seating size for a round table
I usually stick to this calculation 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 the legs that can get in the way of a chair.
I usually stick to this calculation 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 the legs that can get in the way of a chair.
- 90 centimetres with a pedestal base seats 4
- 120 centimetres with legs seats 4
- 150 centimetres with a pedestal base seats 6
- 150 centimetres with legs seats 4
- 180 centimetres with pedestal base or legs seats 8
- 210 centimetres with pedestal base or legs seats 9
A rectangular table works well in a long, narrow room
It leaves more room for traffic flow. For most tables, as the table length increases the width increases as well.
It leaves more room for traffic flow. For most tables, as the table length increases the width increases as well.
Seating size for a rectangular table
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 4
- 150-180 centimetres long seats 6
- 210 centimetres long seats 8
- 240-300 centimetres long seats 10
- 300-335 centimetres seats 12
Lazy susan feature
If you choose a round table, 150-180 centimetres in diameter, add the convenience of a centre lazy susan. Although the round table can be a space saver, the larger it gets the harder it becomes to reach the mashed potatoes.
Check out these dining tables that serve up oodles of style
If you choose a round table, 150-180 centimetres in diameter, add the convenience of a centre lazy susan. Although the round table can be a space saver, the larger it gets the harder it becomes to reach the mashed potatoes.
Check out these dining tables that serve up oodles of style
Go big on the table and small on the seating
When looking to take up less room in a space, try a bench instead of chairs on all or one side 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 a bench instead of chairs on all or one side 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 an equal distance apart. Also it will look great mimicking the room shape around it.
Like the round table, 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 leaves that you can turn into a rectangular shape for a dinner party.
Read more:
Discover Your Dining Table Style
Tell us:
How did you choose the dining table for your home? Did you have some specific measurements in mind for fitting it into your home? Tell us in the Comments below.
If your room is square, a square table, like a round one, makes for a more intimate dining experience because everyone is an equal distance apart. Also it will look great mimicking the room shape around it.
Like the round table, 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 leaves that you can turn into a rectangular shape for a dinner party.
Read more:
Discover Your Dining Table Style
Tell us:
How did you choose the dining table for your home? Did you have some specific measurements in mind for fitting it into your home? Tell us in the Comments below.
Comments (83)
See 80 more comments
mamalade