How to Choose a Dining Table for Your Home

The dining room table is where friends and family come together over a bountiful meal to share stories, trade jokes and catch up. Choosing the right dining room table is crucial to decorating and completing your look. But before you run out and buy the first thing you fall in love with, you’ll need to consider a few factors first.

Here are some quick tips on choosing the right table size for your room or space. There are two main points to consider when determining the right size: the size of the space and how many people you would like to sit. In addition, you should also take note of what you want to accomplish in the space; will you be hosting large parties for dinner or do you more often have small dinner parties and prefer a more intimate setting?

SIZE OF THE ROOM

Generally, you will want to have approximately 36 inches from the edge of the table to the wall, or obstacle behind it, in order to allow for guests to push the chair back and get up. If you have the room, 42-48 inches would be even better to enable room for people to walk behind while others are seated.

SIZE OF THE TABLE

Consider the table length. Each person sitting at the table should have about 24 inches of space. A little extra room per person allows for more elbow room and space. Add a 12 inches at each end if you are planning for a rectangular table to account for each person seating at the ends.

Considering the table width

A table width can be anywhere from 30-48 inches wide. A narrow table has the advantage of being more intimate; people do not sit as far away from those across and this can allow for a more easy conversation. Wider tables do have an advantage for the generous surface space. If you like to put food platters in the middle of the table, or even flowers and table decoration, then wide tables can create more space for a feast-like setting.

There are also a few wildcard factors to consider. Different chairs obviously take up different amounts of space; armchairs versus side chairs, wide upholstered chairs, narrow back chairs, etc. Keep your chair style in mind when thinking about space at a table.

Table height 

A good table height is about 30 inches. Chair seating should be around 18 inches off the ground so double check to make sure you do not have an unusual chair height.

The dining room is the heart of your home, where you serve up food and laughter with family and friends. Choose dining furniture that fits your needs and makes the room an even more comfortable place to spend time. We hope this Grain table guide will help you think about how to express your flair for interior design while you furnish your dining room with functionality and style.

Watch our blog for more information on how to spice up your dining room! You can view table styles in our “build” section at our furniture and mercantile store to touch and feel various samples, styles, and offerings for tables and more. 

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