Thursday 20 April 2023

Dining Table Sizes & How To Choose The Right One

Whether it's a cosy, romantic dinner for two, a family meal for a special occasion, or a glamorous dinner party with friends, all of these events have one thing in common: they need a suitable dining table!

It's not always easy to find the right size dining table, as it's likely that you'll need to cater for all of the situations above and others that aren't mentioned. So, how do you choose the right size table for your needs?

What you need is a clear, easy-to-follow dining room table size guide, and that's just what Homesdirect365 has done right here. And when you have a better idea of the size you want, you can check out our outstanding collection of furniture on our exclusive online store.

Champagne Apollo Mirrored Dining Table

Dining Tables: Standard Sizes

The trouble with humans is that we are all different sizes, which makes things difficult for furniture designers and manufacturers. Take the height of a dining table, for instance: it's not practical for them to only make furniture for people over six feet tall! So, the designers often have to opt for somewhere in the middle.

However, having standard sizes means that not everything will be ideal for everyone. Dining tables in the UK are typically between 28 and 31 inches high, with the average being 30 inches (76 cm). Because of this, your choice might be limited when it comes to the height of your dining table.

Then again, you could search for a bar table, counter table, or extra-tall table. The average heights for these are:

  • Counter table: 85-90 cm (30-35 ins)
  • Bar table: 105-110 cm (41-43 ins)
  • Extra-tall table: 110-120 cm (43-47 ins)

If you choose one of these, always make sure you get the right chairs to match!

Most people, however, go for the standard height as it suits a wide range of people of all ages and sizes.

Dining Table Size Guide

Here's a handy guide to standard sizes in the UK:

Dining Table Size For 2

A small square or round dining table is ideal for two people, and these are usually 60-90 cm (23-35 ins) across. An oval dining table would also be suitable, with an average length of between 51-102 cm (20-40 ins).

Astley Round Walnut Dining Table

Dining Table Size For 4

Square, round, oval and rectangular tables are great for seating four people, although these will need to be slightly bigger. For a square or round table, go for something between 75-120 cm (36-47 ins) across, and between 104-140 cm (41-55 ins) for an oval or rectangular dining table.

Madrid Oval Dining Table

Dining Table Size For 6

A six-seater dining table is perfect for four to six people to sit comfortably, giving you plenty of space. A round or square dining table for six should be between 120-150 cm (47-59 ins) while oval and rectangular dining tables should be between 140-175 cm (55-68 ins).

Arriana White Glass 1.8 m Dining Table

Dining Table Size For 8

A square or round dining table for eight people would ideally measure between 150-180 cm (59-71 ins) and as for oval dining table or rectangular dining table size you should consider getting one between 178-213 cm (70-84 ins) in length.

Idenhoe Dining 2.2m Dining Table

Dining Table Size For 10 or More

If you regularly need to seat ten people or more, then you'll need something at least 183 cm (72 ins) long in a square or round dining table, and probably as large as 254 cm (100 ins). For an oval or rectangular dining table, this would need to be 216-254 cm (85-100 ins) long.

For very large groups (if you have the space), you'll need to invest in something very big, and a rectangular dining table would lend itself to the job perfectly. You're looking at a table size of between 300 and 340 cm (118-133 ins). This would give everyone plenty of room, but would also make a fantastic statement piece!

Hopton Blue 2.5m Cross Legged Dining Table

Tips For Making More Space

An oval or round dining table is a great space saver, and you can maximise your room by investing in an extendable table.

Alternatively, you could go for bench-style seating, as the benches fit neatly beneath the table, saving you precious space. These don't have to be rustic; you'll discover some sumptuous examples of contemporary bench-style seating in the Homesdirect365 collection!

A folding or drop-leaf table would be great for a home without a lot of space, as these can be stowed to one side and only set up when needed.

Butterfly Dining Set

Why not take a look at our mirrored dining tables for a luxurious dining experience?

Things To Consider

Getting the right dimensions can be tricky, as you need a table that's practical at all times, not just when you have guests over. There are a lot of factors that you may not have considered, so let's go through a few of these to help you get on the right track:

Table Shape

While this is connected with aesthetics and personal taste, you need to think about whether you can comfortably seat everyone around a long rectangular table within the room. A circular dining table is often a better choice in smaller dining rooms as it takes up less space.

A rectangle table may look odd in a square dining room, as it makes it feel out of balance, just as a round dining table could appear strange in a rectangular room.

Huntington Dining Table

Room Size

This is linked to the above point but needs to be considered carefully - how much space do you have in the room? Is there adequate clearance space around the table for people to come and go freely? Squeezing everyone around a rectangular table could lead to problems when someone needs to get up to leave the room!

Measure your dining space accurately and take into account any other furniture or obstacles in the room. When choosing a table, allow extra space for people to move around easily and don't forget to include the dining chairs in your calculations. If possible, allow at least 90 cm (35 ins) between the table and any other furniture in the room.

Subtract 180 cm (90 cm each side) from the dimensions of your room to find the maximum size of your table.

Also, bear in mind any doorways to prevent blocking access to the room.

Of course, if you're fortunate enough to have an open-plan kitchen or dining area, you should have plenty of space to play with, but it's still worth making sure.

How Many People Will You Need To Seat?

Think of the minimum and maximum amount of seating capacity you might need for any one occasion. Couples that occasionally invite friends or family round for dinner parties may not want to sit around a massive table when there's just the two of them at home!

An extendable round dining table (square or rectangular tables work, too) might be the perfect solution here; your table isn't too big for the two of you but can be extended to comfortably seat guests when the need arises.

Source: https://unsplash.com/photos/JKMnm3CIncw

Allow Elbow Room

Think about how much surface space everyone will need during meal times - nobody wants to be cramped around the table with their elbows tucked in! You should allow at least 50cm of horizontal space for each person so they have enough room to move freely, but ideally, you should aim for between 60 and 66 cm per person.

Table Leg Spacing

When choosing your table, it's important to consider where the legs are. Many round tables (and some oval tables) have a large central leg, allowing easy seating for everyone, but this isn't the case for all examples.

Rectangular dining tables and square tables usually have their legs positioned in each corner, while drop-leaf tables have a moveable leg at either end that folds inwards when not in use.

While drop-leaf tables are handy - especially those with storage space for folding chairs - the central body often prevents anyone from sitting comfortably in the middle section at either side of the table.

Contemporary furniture styles can have unusual leg spacing, as the designs are varied and unique, so always check these carefully when assessing the number of people you'd expect to seat comfortably.

The width of the table legs is also important, as it will affect the amount of available legroom.

Teak Root Drift Round Glass Dining Table

Dining Table Height

This was mentioned earlier, but this time we're talking about this in relation to your dining chairs. If the table you choose doesn't come with matching chairs, always make sure you find a set that suits the height of your table!

While it's impossible to find the perfect size and height for everyone, you need to do your best to ensure that everyone can eat comfortably. Buying a 31-inch high table and very low chairs will mean that most people will be seated uncomfortably with their elbows in the air while eating.

Also, a lower-than-average table height with thickly-padded and upholstered chairs may not allow enough room for your knees.

As for the non-standard heights, it's wise to consider who will be using these. If your dinner guests are elderly or have mobility issues, they might find it difficult to use a bar-height or extra-tall table.

Other Uses

A dining table isn't just for eating dinner! Many families and groups of friends gather for drinks, board games, card games and so on. The dining table is also where homework is done or kids and parents tackle craft projects together. It pays to remember this when choosing the right size dining table for your home.

Source: https://www.pexels.com/photo/people-playing-an-azul-board-game-8111357/

Finding The Right Dining Table Size With Homesdirect365

When all is said and done, it's your choice, although you are restricted by the size of the room and the need to ensure everyone is comfortable.

You'll need to cater for the maximum number of people you expect to accommodate at any time, but without burdening yourself with a table that's far too big for everyday use. With our helpful guide, finding the right size dining table for your home shouldn't be too difficult.

And when you know the size, Homedirect365 has the perfect dining room table for you in our online store! Don't forget to check out our fantastic range of dining table and chairs too!

The following article Dining Table Sizes & How To Choose The Right One Read more on: www.homesdirect365.co.uk



from Homes Direct 365 | Blog - Feed https://www.homesdirect365.co.uk/blog/2023/04/dining-table-sizes/

No comments:

Post a Comment