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
Shoshana Gosselin
26 August 2017
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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 dining 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 dining 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.
How do I measure table-to-wall clearances?
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.
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.
How do I measure table-to-furniture clearances?
If you have existing furniture or other fixtures (such as a kitchen benchtop) in your dining space, begin your measurement from the edge of the furniture or fixture instead of from your wall.
If you have existing furniture or other fixtures (such as a kitchen benchtop) in your dining space, begin your measurement from the edge of the furniture or fixture instead of from your wall.
What is the easiest way to measure up a dining table space?
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.
Do you need some professional help to maximise your home’s layout and furnishings? Find an interior decorator near you on Houzz
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.
Do you need some professional help to maximise your home’s layout and furnishings? Find an interior decorator near you on Houzz
How not to 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 at least 60 centimetres of eating space – ideally more. Of course, if your table allows for it, you might be able to squeeze in another chair or two for those occasional larger gatherings.
Banquettes and benches fit in more people than chairs, so consider this if space if tight.
Table manufacturers should recommend the number of people who can comfortably sit around a table without touching elbows while eating.
Each person needs at least 60 centimetres of eating space – ideally more. Of course, if your table allows for it, you might be able to squeeze in another chair or two for those occasional larger gatherings.
Banquettes and benches fit in more people than chairs, so consider this if space if tight.
Why are round tables are great for small spaces?
Round dining tables fit in tight spaces and don’t have 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.
Round dining tables fit in tight spaces and don’t have 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.
How do I work out 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.
- 120-centimetre diameter with a pedestal base seats five to six.
- 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.
Where does a rectangular table work best?
A rectangular table works well in a long, narrow room as they leave more room for traffic flow. For most tables, the length increases with the width.
When choosing the right shape for your dining table, let the shape of your room dictate it – elongated rectangular rooms suit rectangular dining tables, while square rooms usually work well with square or round dining tables.
A rectangular table works well in a long, narrow room as they leave more room for traffic flow. For most tables, the length increases with the width.
When choosing the right shape for your dining table, let the shape of your room dictate it – elongated rectangular rooms suit rectangular dining tables, while square rooms usually work well with square or round dining tables.
How do I work out 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.
Browse more beautifully styled dining rooms
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.
Browse more beautifully styled dining rooms
What is a ‘Lazy Susan’ feature
If you choose a round table 150 to 180 centimetres in diameter, consider adding the convenience of a central lazy Susan (which we agree, is a terrible name). Although the round table can be a space saver, the larger it gets the harder it becomes to reach the mashed potatoes.
If you choose a round table 150 to 180 centimetres in diameter, consider adding the convenience of a central lazy Susan (which we agree, is a terrible name). Although the round table can be a space saver, the larger it gets the harder it becomes to reach the mashed potatoes.
If you’re stuck for space, 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 if space is tight.
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 if space is tight.
Where does a square table work best?
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.
As with 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.
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.
As with 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.
Your turn
If you found this story helpful, like it, save the photos for inspiration and share your thoughts in the Comments below. Join the conversation.
More
For more on planning your eating area, read: Has the Formal Dining Room Left the Building?
If you found this story helpful, like it, save the photos for inspiration and share your thoughts in the Comments below. Join the conversation.
More
For more on planning your eating area, read: Has the Formal Dining Room Left the Building?
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The painting...where can I source
Great Advice!!! Thank you
I am going to get rid of my dining table and chairs, we either sit at the breakfast bar or if we are entertaining people sit outside or eat around the island bench.