Find the Dining Table Shape That Is Right for Youp
How do you know which dining table shape is right for you? There is more to it than preferring one shape over the other. Not that your preference for one shape over another does not matter, but there are a couple of other things to keep in mind.
The two main factors that should determine the shape of your dining room table should be the shape and size of your dining room or dining area and the number of people you usually seat around your dining table. You will find that certain shapes lend themselves better to certain conditions. When you match the two, you create a flow that makes your space look and function better.
Rectangular Dining Tables
A rectangular dining table shape is perhaps the most common, and there is a pretty good reason for it. Most dining rooms are also rectangular. A rectangular dining table is also a good shape to seat more than four people, especially if it comes with an extra leaf for extending the length, should you need to seat additional guests.
Ideally, a rectangular table should be between 36 inches to 42 inches wide. Narrower rectangles can work well in a narrow room, but if the table is any narrower than 36 inches, you may find it difficult to fit place settings on both sides and enough room for food on the table. If you do prefer to have a narrow table, you might want to consider placing the food on a sideboard or buffet table, so guests can help themselves before sitting down.
Square Dining Tables
Square shaped rooms look best with a square dining table. Square dining tables are also a good solution if you do not have a large group to seat most of the time. A square table that can be expanded with leaves is good for those times you will need to seat more guests. Two square tables can even be grouped together to create a larger rectangular seating arrangement for special occasions.
A benefit to having square tables is that they provide intimacy and a satisfying solution to seating a small number of people. It can be off-putting to have large a rectangular table if there are only two or three people present for most of your meals—a larger table can make the space seem cold.
Round Dining Tables
The square table is not the only solution for a smaller or square-shaped room. A round dining table is another possibility, and it is one of the best shapes for small gatherings since everyone can see everyone else, conversations are easier to carry on, and the setting feels cozier and more intimate.
Keep in mind that a round table is not ideal for larger gatherings. A large round table means that, while you can still see others, they seem far away, and you may have to shout across the table to be heard. Besides, most dining rooms are not large enough to accommodate large round dining tables.
If you do prefer a round table over a rectangular one and you think you may need to seat a larger number of people from time to time, consider getting a round table with an extension leaf. That way, you can use your round table most of the time but extend it when you have company over.
Oval Dining Table
An oval dining table is very similar to a rectangular one in almost all its attributes. Visually, it seems to occupy less space than a rectangle because of the rounded corners, but this also means that it has less surface area. You might want to consider an oval table if you have a narrower or smaller room and might occasionally need to seat more people.
The Ultimate Guide to Dining Table Styles
In the strangeness of 2020, the dining room has truly become the new center of the home. For many households, this (newly) multipurpose room has taken on the roles of home office, homeschooling zone, and arts and crafts space, as well as hosting all our family meals. So, this space now needs to be functional for far more than dining! On top of all that, our typical plans for holiday hosting have probably gone out the window. Basically, our dining rooms have been turned on their heads!
But, even as things look different this year, we’re taking any chance we can get to make this space feel extra special. And the best way to do this is with a dining table that you really love. It sets the tone for your space, bringing in unique style and functionality.
But here’s the thing: there are so many dining table styles to choose from, you’re probably wondering where to begin. A dining table can be a big investment, so you want to make sure you pick one that fits your style and meets all your daily needs. So, whether you’re doing some holiday entertaining prep for a small group, figuring out how to make a dining room office work, or simply just dreaming up some dining room design ideas to give this workhorse space a refresh, we’re here to guide to our favorite dining tables for 2020 and beyond.
There are so many dining table styles to choose from, you’re probably wondering where to begin. A dining table can be a big investment, so you want to make sure you pick one that fits your style and meets all your hosting needs. To help, we’re breaking down the different dining table styles here so you can find the one that works best for you.
Farmhouse Dining Table Style
A farmhouse dining table design is generally an expansive, warm, and welcoming option. This style is great for complementing rustic styles and makes for an extra cozy vibe. It adds a rugged, vintage-inspired touch to your dining room that makes you feel like you’ve stepped into an old country farmhouse, even if you live in a high-rise apartment. And, since farmhouse tables are usually made of rough, solid wood, they tend to be very sturdy.
Choosing the best dining table shape for your room
As the dining table itself is the focal feature of a dining room, it’s important to select one that not only suits the space but also your lifestyle. In smaller homes, the dining or kitchen table must cover a myriad of different uses, and with a range of shapes and sizes available, there’s no reason why you should ever have to sacrifice space for style.
If you’re furnishing a small dining room, an extendable dining table could be the answer, whereas a rectangular or round table may be a better option if you’ve got more space to play with.
We’ve drawn up our own guide to dining table shapes to figure out which one works best for your home.
Rectangular
This is the most popular dining table shape found in the home. When it comes to seating larger numbers of guests, it’s the best option: the long, narrow design lends itself to large-scale entertaining, with the hosts positioned at each end.
The simple, linear shape of a rectangular dining table easily fits into most rooms, allowing for ease of movement when walking around the table. In small dining rooms, a rectangular table can be pushed up against the wall when not in use, but if you’re really tight on space, opt for long dining benches instead of dining chairs (they can be neatly tucked under the table and are adept at squeezing on an extra person or two). Choose an upholstered bench with a comfortable seat and ornately carved legs for a formal setting, and a plain wooden one for a more relaxed, country-inspired dining room (you can add scatter cushions for extra comfort if required).
Round
A round dining table is the most versatile of all the shapes as it works in any size or shape of dining room. The circular shape helps to create a sense of intimacy, encouraging the whole table to chat. This particular shape also makes clever use of the space available, and with no corners, it can seat the maximum number of guests possible. Look for a round table with a pedestal base – these offer the most leg room, so your guests won’t need to contend with awkwardly placed table legs.
A round dining table is best if you prefer informal dining. It immediately feels more casual than a rectangular dining table because there is no head of the table and will easily accommodate an uneven number of guests (but limit your table setting to 6 to 8 people at the most to maintain that feeling of intimacy). A round table in a hallway can serve as an occasional table or an extra dining table for versatile dining.
Many of our round and rectangular dining tables are also suitable for outdoor use. The next time you decide to update your dining room or think about dining table décor ideas, take a peek at our roundup of garden tables that also work indoors.
Square
Square dining tables are the perfect shape for smaller homes where the table serves a multi-functional purpose, as they can be pushed neatly into the corner of the room. If there are just two or four people in your household, a square table is an obvious choice.
The geometric shape helps to create a sense of symmetry and balance in a square dining room. This contemporary, linear style is enhanced further using sleek modern materials such as glass and chrome, and by pairing the table with matching dining benches. Should you need a larger dining table, pushing two square tables together often works better than a rectangular one as the width of the table increases with the length, leaving you with plenty of space for serving platters or centrepieces.
Oval
If you’re deliberating between a rectangular and a square dining table, don’t overlook an oval-shaped table. An oval table combines the linear layout of a rectangular dining table with the intimacy and flexibility of a round table, resulting in a table that works anywhere. The rounded edges of the dining table incorporate curves into the space, helping to break up angular lines and soften the scheme.
The best dining tables for small spaces
If you need a space saving dining table, look no further than our versatile range of extendable dining tables, which can fit your entire family. Suited to special occasions and spontaneous dinner parties, our dining tables for small spaces seat lots of guests but are also perfect for everyday use.
For daily dining, an extendable table can be collapsed down to its smallest form, but additional leaves mean it can be extended by up to three times its size. Our most popular extendable dining table, the Petworth, can seat up to 18 people when fully extended for truly flexible entertaining. Another best-seller is our Charlotte Dining Table, which can either be a neat four-seater or a table of epic proportions, depending on how many leaves are added.
Once you’ve chosen a dining table to suit your space, here are a few tips to remember:
Choose your chairs carefully
Consider how your chairs will function alongside the table. Measure the height of the chairs to make sure they will fit underneath the table, especially if you choose a dining chair with arms. For further inspiration, have a look at our guide to choosing a dining chair.
Leave enough space
It’s important to leave enough room around the table (so guests can slide their chairs out easily) and also between each chair (to avoid clashing elbows!). There should be a distance of at least 80cm between the wall and the dining table and there should be approximately 30cm between each chair.