Q: How do you decide on maximum dimensions for a dining room table? My dining room is 8'11x10'6" and when I measure out where a standard 36" width table would sit, it seems like it would be crowded. It must be mostly in my mind, since half the dining rooms listed on the MLS are that size. Still, there must be a rule of thumb about x number of feet from the wall or no more than y percentage of the total space?
Sent by Marit
Editor: Marit- Since our dining table is a small antique that only seats two, we're opening this up to our community for advice. Readers- how did you select the perfectly sized dining table?
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My rule of thumb is: There should be enough space for people to move comfortably around the chairs and come in and out. Otherwise I like a nice, large table top. :)
view MODERnestS's profile
As a rule of thumb, you need at minimum 40" clear space on all 4 sides of a table.
When a person is seated they and their chair take up about 24" of space out from the table, so even with 16" behind them it's gonna be tight getting around someone seated in there...
...tho if you chose to use a banqette along one of the walls, you could eliminate the need for space behind your guests and fit a larger table in place.
view bepsf's profile
Very timely advice for me! And the 40" minimum sounds like very helpful rule. Thanks. :)
view burpchick's profile
My dining room is a 7' by 7' nook. If I followed the 40" rule my dining table would be 4" wide!
view k_darling's profile
I would want three or four feet around all of the table for people to get up and move around.
Currently we have an eat in kitchen with the table pushed up against a wall, so what I like is taking back burner to wanting space to seat four since we like to parents and friends over for dinner.
view ChrisGal's profile
Thanks for the insights. I've figured out why dining room seems smaller than it measures, it is also functions as the primary path between the kitchen and the living room. Putting a table in the middle of it means having to navigate around furniture instead of just walking through.
Since I don't entertain regularly, maybe I will find a table that would look ok against the wall until it is needed. I wish it was easier to find a table that would expand from 4 to 8.
view MLH's profile