Choosing a dining table: shapes, sizes and seating
By Tuna Living design team,
The right dining table depends on your room, how many people you usually seat and how you like to eat together. Here is how to work it out.
1. Allow space for each person
Plan about 24 in of table edge per person, or 28–30 in if you like generous chairs with arms. A 72 in rectangular table seats six comfortably; 84–96 in seats eight.
2. Leave room to pull chairs out
Keep at least 36 in between the table edge and a wall or other furniture, so people can pull a chair out and sit down. Where people need to walk behind seated guests, 42–48 in is more comfortable.
3. Pick the shape for the room
- Round: sociable and easy to move around in small or square rooms. A 48 in round table seats four.
- Oval: the softness of a round table with the seating of a rectangle; good in narrow rooms.
- Rectangular: the most seating for its size, and easy to line up with a long wall or window.
- Extendable: a smaller everyday table that opens for guests.
4. Check the height and legs
Most dining tables are 29–30 in high. Look at where the legs sit: a pedestal or legs set in from the corners make it easier to fit an extra chair.
Let us help
Our dining tables are made to order, and many can be made to a different size or finish. Send us your room measurements and we will suggest a size and shape that works.
