Dining tables come in all kinds of sizes and shapes.
The right dining table depends on your unique needs. Although the look or appearance of your table is critical, a size that fits your available space is more important. It’s even more essential to choose a table with sufficient seating for the entire family.
The number of diners or people you want to use the table should be able to seat comfortably and even leave space to walk around it. A table with at least 36 inches width provides enough room for food and place settings.
The longer the length of a dining table, the wider the width of its table top.
Whether your dining room is square, or you’ve carved out a transitional space between the family room and open kitchen, there’s need to choose the right dining table. A dining table can be the focal point of your room, attracting the attention of family and friends.
Therefore, the right dining table is functional, comfortable and aesthetic to improve the appearance of your interior space. With all sizes and shapes to choose from, there’s a table for every need.

Size of the dining table

Table-to-furniture spacing

Start measuring your dining space from 42 to 48 inches off other furniture edges if the room has other items, instead of the wall.

Table-to-wall spacing

Leave an allowance of 42 to 48 inches from the wall to ensure that diners have enough space to sit down for meals or get up easily. It’s also important to measure your room to determine available space.

Tip: Place a bed sheet or two in your dining room to help you determine the right table size. Fold it into the shape of your desired table to visualize the amount of space it’ll occupy. You can then measure the table-to-furniture or table-to-wall spacing. Include table leaves, if any, in your calculations or measurements. Table manufacturers recommend the right number of diners for each table to ensure they seat comfortably without their elbows touching each other. This means that the right table doesn’t cause overcrowding in your room.
Every diner requires almost 2 feet of eating space. You can also squeeze in an extra seat as required or for an occasional larger meeting. Well, only if your table allows.

Shape of the dining table

Round Tables

Opt for a round dining table if your space is small. Round tables easily fit in tight spaces because they lack sharp corners. Therefore, you can easily fit more people around one.
Pedestal tables have more legroom to accommodate more guests. Choose acrylic chairs to add to your space and show off the beauty of your dining table. The transparent chairs also make tight spaces feel more spacious.

The right seating size for a round table

Manufacturers offer different seating recommendations, allowing for the addition of extra seating in tight spaces. Pedestal tables eliminate legs that get in the way of a chair, explaining why it can accommodate more diners.
The following measurements can help you pick the right dining table for your room:

• A 3-foot diameter pedestal table seats four diners
• A 4-foot and 5-foot diameter table with legs seats four diners
• A 5-foot diameter pedestal table seats six diners
• A 6-foot diameter pedestal table or one with legs seats eight diners
• A 7-foot diameter pedestal table or one with legs seats nine diners

Tip: It’s difficult reaching food on large round tables. This means round tables are only ideal for a small gathering. A center lazy Susan works well with a 5- to 6-foot diameter round table for added convenience. Otherwise, rectangular tables are ideal for large gatherings.

Rectangular dining tables

If you have a long, narrow room, opt for a rectangular dining table. The width of rectangular tables increase with length. And, the tables leave enough space for foot traffic.

The right seating size for a rectangular table

Just like round tables, you’ll find different seating size recommendation from different manufacturers, allowing for extra seating. This gives your table a tighter fit. Consider the following seating sizes:

A table that’s

• 4 foot long seats four diners
• 5- to 6-foot long seats 6 diners
• 7-foot long seats 8 diners
• 8- to 9-foot long seats 10 diners
• 10- to 11-foot long seats 12 diners

Tip for saving space: opt for benches instead of chairs to use on the sides of tables if you want to take up less space in your room. Make sure the benches are shorter in length than the table so you can easily stash them beneath it when not in use.

Square dining tables

Just like a round table, square tables offer intimate dining experiences, ensuring that diners are equally spaced apart. It can also complement the shape of a square dining room.
Square tables make it difficult to reach for food if they’re large, as in round tables. Test your table in person if you want to seat over eight people comfortably.
If there’s need for versatility, a square table with leaves easily converts into a rectangular shape for a dinner gathering.