What Size Dining Table to Use for a Dining Room

There are a lot of things to consider when decorating your dining room and picking the furniture. The size of your table is one of the first things you'll need to decide on, and several elements will come into play to make the right choice for you and your family. The table sets the mood for the entire room. Remember that when you are choosing your new table that dining room tables tend to be longer lasting than any other piece of furniture in the house---it is a long-term investment, so choose wisely. Does this Spark an idea?

Seating

Perhaps one of the biggest elements in choosing the size of a dining room table is how many seats you need on a daily basis. The number of members in your is the minimum number of seats you would need to place around the table. Comfortable seating arrangements require at least 2 feet of space per adult at a table setting. A family of four would require a table with at least 8 feet of length along the sides of a table, or 2 feet per side of a square table. For a small apartment or a kitchen nook/dining area, a small, round table that has a perimeter of at least 8 feet would be cramped, but sufficient. For elegant dining, the more space the better. Of course, you should consider more places if you will be entertaining often.

Room Size

Another consideration is the size of your dining room. If you have a completely separate room, you probably have plenty of space, but if you have a small nook, or combination living/dining area, you will have to make allowances for space. Even in a large room dedicated to dining a table, a table that overpowers the room can make the area look small and cramped. Allow enough space for movement around the table and areas to place chairs.

Shape

The common shapes for dining room tables are rectangular, square, oval and round. The size of your room and the number of seats will be a part of your determination on what shape suits you best. Other than that, personal choice and style are the main considerations. Rectangular and square tables take up the most room and round tables tend to be more space-saving.

Family

The number of people in your family isn't the only thing to consider when thinking about your table. People with younger children will want more durable types of furniture to put up with the roughness youngsters bring to a dining environment, but also as much extra space as possible as well to accommodate extra family activities.

Cost

Depending on your budget, cost may play a role in your decision on the size and style of dining room table you choose. Popular tables for formal dining rooms are heavy wood or glass tables, but less expensive models made from Formica are also available.