we have a 60 inch square table with 8 chairs. I do not care for even the 60 inch with my 8 chairs, as you can not push them all in under the table- they have to be slightly pushed out. I have, however, ordered a counter height table with 8 chairs, but 2 of those counter height chairs will stay at the island unless they are needed for guests. We are a family of 6 so it works just having the 6 chairs at the table. My chairs are pretty wide however, 21" wide, so maybe smaller chairs would work. You'll love the square table, though! I really do like ours, which is why I ordered another square one!

Do you use placemats? If you have 8 placemats, I would try laying them out in a 54 inch square and seeing if that gives you enough room. I am thinking it is going to be really tight.

I would *love* a 60 inch, but until we remodel it would not fit.

BetterAtTheLake  where did you find the 60 inch? IÂve Googled this and have come up empty handed. Is yours counter height?

Dekeoboe  Great idea about the placemats! Maybe IÂll take them with me to CostCo and ask 7 strangers to sit with me! :-)

We are a family of 4  so it would probably be fine most nights. The room is actually screaming for a round table  but I just prefer square. Actually  if I could find a 54" square that had drop leafs to open into a 60" round  that would be super cool  anyone ever see this?

IÂd also like to find a Lazy Susan for the middle if possible.

My table is from Bassett furniture. If you go to their website click on custom dining. You choose your options, including the height of your table. My current 60" is not counter height and so we have to store the extra chairs until they are needed, so we decided to order the 54" counter height with 8 chairs and that way 2 of the chairs can stay at the island & brought over when more chairs are needed at the table.
There are many counter height tables. My friend just got a cherry and black one from Roomful Express & it is very nice. Very heavy, well made. I believe it was called Cedar rock or something. Probably made from Ashley Furniture. She bought 4 counter height chairs for her island (she has a bigger island) and leaves 6 chairs at her table & pulls them up to the table.
I went with Bassett because they have a special endurance finish on their table tops & 7 years and 4 kids later my table still looks new. That was important to me.

We have a 54" counter height table and have occasionally seated 8 at it. It is tight, but doable. I found square placemats to use, which work better than the rectangular ones. It's just me and my husband at home now, so we eat our meals at the kitchen counter. I like that I can move the counter height chairs between the table and the counter. The most we usually have over for dinner is 2 other couples, and the table is pretty comfortble with 6.