Rectangular or round table for our dining room? What size?

10 years ago

last modified: 10 years ago

We are looking to buy a new dining room table. We are a family of 5 (2 adults and 3 young children under the age of 5). We will be using this table for every meal since we decided against an eating area in the kitchen.

The dining room is 12x13 when I exclude a bay window on one of the narrow sides. The bay window itself is 3' deep by 92'' wide making the dining room 16' long. There are also two corner built-in cabinets in the corners opposite to the bay window.

We are looking for a table that seats 8 comfortably and that could squeeze 10 on special occasions.

I really like the look of a double pedestal rectangular table but was afraid the pedestals might get in the way depending on the chair configuration. I might be wrong though. The table is 42'' wide by 68'' long with two 20'' leaves. We would keep one leaf on all the time and use the second leaf when needed.

I'm also interested in a pedestal round table. The table comes in different sizes: 54'', 60'' or 72'' wide with the option of a 20'' leaf. I am considering a 60'' table with the extra 20'' leaf. Would that be big enough for 8? Would it be too big for the dining room? I like the idea of the rounded ends which could perhaps be useful near the bay window. The bay window has a radiator cover that could be used as a banquette for the children.

What do you think? Any opinion? I don't want the dining room to feel cramped but want to maximize the space.

----------Updating with another possibitly--------

I'm thinking a double pedestal oval table might also work. They make a 48'' round table that comes with two 20'' leaves. Would that be a better idea?

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Anglophilia

10 years ago

You can't do what you want in such a small dining room. My dining room is 12'9" x 13'. I have a nearly square antique dining room table - 56"x58". At the holidays, I put in one leaf (probably about 18 to 24" wide). I can then seat 6 comfortably, but it is very tight getting around the chairs to serve. I have put 8 at that table using smaller chairs, but it was REALLY tight then. Seating 10 would be impossible.

People don't realize how far out a chair is when it is occupied, and how much space is needed to get around the table with people seated.

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Comments (6)

Jane
10 years ago
last modified: 10 years ago
Ideally allow at least 3 feet for each chair (2' chair depth + 1' to get in and out). So if you have a 12' space, 6' might be taken up by chairs. That means you can fit a 72" round but wouldn't have a lot of extra space. The leaf would make it really tight.

I'm all for extra space, but I fell in love with a round table, so I will deal. I have an 8x8 space plus walk room on one side, and I picked out a 48" round table. I have no extra room on some sides but the roundness helps.

There are a lot of options. I would go into a showroom and ask the sales associate for help. There are convertible tables, thin pedestals, variable tabletops, exterior and interior legs, 3 legged tables in addition to leafs.

Sorry that was probably not much help. I went into a crate and barrel showroom and asked for help and I was able to figure out what I wanted through the process of elimination. They have enough different configurations that you can get an idea of what will and will not work in your space. I would optimize floor space for your family and only add the extra tabletop space when you absolutely have to.

The chairs make a big difference in how much space you have around the table when not in use. You can choose uncomfortable chairs that fit tightly against the table (if the table allows) or comfy upholstered chairs that take up more space when pushed in as much as possible. If you go rectangular, you have the option of benches. They have upholstered benches too.

Every inch matters. If you can trim a few inches off the chairs or table edges or scooch the chair under the table a bit more, you may be able to come up with another 6-8" around the table.

This one says it will fit 6-8, but I wonder if you could get more kids around it if you use benches. (It's not the most attractive IMO.) Table goes from 34x57 to 57x68.
tira_misu thanked Jane
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theclose
10 years ago
I have a 12x12 dining room. We have a sideboard and a 48" round table (generally seat 4 there but have fit 6 tightly). It was a thread on here that convinced me a rectangular table is better suited to my small square dining room and will accommodate more people. I love round tables but I'll have to sacrifice to fit more people!
tira_misu thanked theclose
hooked123
10 years ago
I have a Trestle table and I like it because you can easily get two people on each end because there aren't table legs that get in the way. I love the way settees look at the end of Trestle tables.
tira_misu thanked hooked123
tira_misu
Original Author
10 years ago
Thanks for your input. I'm realizing that the bay window makes the room appear much larger than what it really is. Also, the room is currently empty so it's hard to visualize what size table will fit nicely.

About the chairs: I am debating between two different chair models. One is 18''1/2 wide by 24"1/2 deep and the other one is 21'' wide and also 24''1/2 deep. I feel like the wider chairs would be more comfortable but less appropriate for a round table. Is 18''1/2 wide too narrow for a dining chair or would you think it is equally confortable as a wider chair?
Jane
10 years ago
My chairs are 16.5" wide. The width is fine. The parsons chairs I picked are 18" wide IIRC. They are 23" deep which provides a few more inches around the table. I will need every inch.