I like the look of a rectangular table with corner legs more as it seems more anchored to me, but for usability a pedestal seems more functional as far as squeezing more people in.

I have a vintage Duncan Phyfe style double pedestal rectangular table and find the pedestals get in the way of the chairs, especially when not in use. The feet do get stepped on but are wearing well. Neither of these would be a issue with a large single pedestal table.

We also use a small 2'x4' table in the kitchen with corner legs and the long-legged spouse has no problems with them. We're looking to replace it with something a little bigger, but will definitely do corner legs.

Pedestal tables also tend to be flimsier, although my parents have one of those beefy oak ones that won't move for anything. The traditional D.F. style tables won't be as sturdy as something with proper legs.

I'm facing this same dilemma; 32 years with the same oval double pedestal table that stretches out to seat 12. I want/need something different. Aesthetically I love the clean straight lines of a leg table, but from a practical standpoint I keep going back to an oval pedestal for flexibility in seating numbers and accommodating long legs. Guess that's why I haven't bought anything after over a year of looking. My current pedestal table is an old Tell City Oak that's as solid as can be. Hard to give it up for something more flimsy.

We have a four legged rectangular farm table and have had it for years. When looking for a new table a year ago, I wanted to get a round pedestal but DH refused saying they weren't stable and he was right, compared to our table they weren't. We've put our table through H3ll using it for storage and as a work bench so it was looking pretty worn. In the end I decided to just refinish the top and keep it. I'm so glad I did!

I have a double pedestal rectangular table in the dining room and a small table with legs in the kitchen. Both are fine but I like the pedestal table a bit better. I do sometimes whack my knee on the table legs in the kitchen. If you have to squeeze people in (as sometimes happens on holidays) the people next to table legs can feel a bit trapped. That was my experience anyway with my parent's legged dining table.

As to pedestal tables being flimsier: mine certainly isn't. It's oak, mission-style, and heavy!

I've had many different types of tables, and I prefer the mission style with the double "pedestal" on each end. It's not really a pedestal, but a rectangular piece with spindles. Make sense? The one thing I really dislike about some pedestals is that when they are stretched out with leaves, they get really wobbly on the ends. Maybe they don't all do that, but ours certainly did. I was constantly telling guests, "Don't lean on the table". Annoying. Our new table is a double "pedestal" like I mentioned, with a support piece when the table is fully extended to 16 1/2 feet. Great table.

I prefer round tables because I like the way conversation flows better. With a round table, I think the pedestal style works best to allow easy access. I do see people put their feet on the pedestal, but I also see them hook their feet on the rung of the chair. Both actions are hard on the finish.

If you need to seat more than ten, then a rectangular table is pretty much the only way to go. Don't many of the really long rectangles have extra legs in the middle that fold down when you add the leaves?

Tables are us in this house!!
I have a double pedestal DF in the diningroom...old-ish....dating pre depression. Strong, sturdy, has an apron and even with 2 leaves in doesn't wobble.
I have a 45 inch round oak pedestal in the family room, opens to accept 4 10 inch leaves.....and is wiggley wobbley with the leaves in. "Don't bump the table or you'll spill your milk!!"
I have 2 drop leaf tables, one 24 by 40 with the leaves down, 24 by 60 with the leaves up. But, because of the legs, you can only comfortably seat 6 because of the problem getting your feet between the table legs.
I think tables with corner legs look...uh...less than classic., Frankly I don't like the look.

We have the 1930s double pedestal rectangular table in our dr and like the flexibility. It is steady.
Our kitchen table is a laminate with chrome edges and is also a pedestal, although the pedestal is long ways. I like not having the extra legs to sweep around and more ways to fit people around it if we have a guest. It is also not wobbly.

Can I convert a double pedestal table to a 4 legged table? and will I still be able to extend it? I find cleaning around the pedestals a pain when vacuuming and dusting.

I prefer corner legs because I feel that a pedestal table center(s) gets in the way of seaters.