Selecting the Right Dining Table for Your Space

I don’t know about you, but I have wild daydreams about being able to host epic dinner parties for upwards of fifty people at my home – with everyone sitting at the same table, exchanging stories and eating delicious food (that I cooked myself and is Top Chef worthy, of course!). But, the reality is that the size dinner party I can host is directly proportionate to how many people I can fit in my dining room.

This is one of the top questions I get from clients: how do I pick the right dining table for my space? So, I wanted to share all my best tips with you!

The Basics

There are three main measurements to keep in mind while looking for a table:

·         The width of the table should be a minimum of 3 feet – this allows plenty of room for both place settings and serving dishes.

·         Leave at least 42 inches (about 3 ½ feet) between the dining table and the wall (or other furniture in the room) – this means your guests won’t be slamming their chairs into the walls whenever they get up!

·         When considering how many will be able to sit at the table, allow each person about 2 feet – plenty of room for eating without their elbows touching their neighbors.

Once you’ve got those measurements in mind and figured out, you can start to decide on the shape and size of your table.

Round Tables

Round tables are great for smaller spaces because you can fit more people around a smaller round table – no corners allow people to sit around all edges. To maximize the seating space at a round table, go for one with a pedestal base – no legs around the edges means no legs getting in the way of more chairs.

A 3-foot round table (that’s 3 feet in diameter!) with a pedestal base can comfortably fit 4 people (and you could probably squeeze in a fifth without it being too uncomfortable!). For round tables with pedestal bases, for every extra foot in diameter, you can comfortably add another 2 guests.

So, if a 3-foot table fits 4 people, a 4-foot table can fit 6, a 5-foot table can fit 8, and so on.

The biggest drawback to round tables is that once they start to get larger, it can be harder to reach the food on the table. So, for smaller spaces, circular is the way to go! For larger spaces…

Rectangular Tables

Rectangular tables will be your best bet in a larger space – especially if the room is long and narrow. The minimum length of a rectangular table will be about 4 feet – this takes into account the minimum width of the table being 3 feet.

A 4-foot long rectangular table will comfortably fit about 4 people. And, for every extra foot and a half in width, you can comfortably add 2 more guests.

So, if a 4-foot table fits 4 people, a 5-6 foot table can fit 6 people, a 7-foot table can fit 8 guests, and so on.

Other Things to Keep in Mind

·         If you choose a wider round or square table, consider a lazy susan for easier access to the center of the table.

·         When looking to save space, go bigger on the table and smaller on the seating: try a bench on one side of the table that can pushed underneath when not in use.

·         Don’t forget about the leaves! Consider the size of the table when it’s fully extended to make sure you’re able to use it at full size in your home.