Get a narrower table and a narrower console (or no console). You don't want bulky chairs either.

You are trying to fit too much into a narrow dining room.

Agree. If you only use it once a year, why so much worry? Don’t mean to offend.

debra

Would suggest a small table that can be expanded when the need for a larger table arises.

Agree with Norwood, but do you really need a rug? Floor protectors for chair legs are easily available. Spill cleanup is much easier on a floor than a rug. Invest in great lighting and Art as suggested, window coverings to complement the view, and the room. By all means use this room for creating, relaxing, entertaining even if just coffee with a family member.

A narrow pub refractory table would be perfect ~ these are narrow, and it extends on both sides or you can extend just one side.

Nicole, do you mean a refectory table? Like the ones at this link?

https://www.1stdibs.com/buy/refectory-table/

Thank you. Your comments are truly helpful. I needed the push to let go of having it all in a small space! I will likely give up the console and ensure nice artwork. If I do keep the buffet I can use a custom 8x12 rug, or 9x12 without it. I may also change to the 38” wide table to add a couple inches of space.

Curious if others have a 38”W table and if this has allowed enough table space for you?

Also seems it may look odd if extended fully (up to 92”) but that will be rare.

To address a few questions/comments:

@chispa@djacob Z6a SE WI: appreciate the honesty and not offended at all. I needed the feedback.

@Norwood Architects: Agree! 42”W table length can extend 68”/88”/108” with 2 leaves (pic shows 88”) and the 38”W version can extend 60”/76”/92”. 38”W is sufficient for our needs, just unsure if the narrower space for food, etc. will be an issue.

@Design Fan (NE z7a) @Valentina: Yes I will likely need to give up the console. It is 16” deep but still leaves just 27” (29”) space from 42”W (38”W) table. Some nice artwork on that wall will definitely help. The current light fixture will need to be replaced so appreciate the lighting tips as well. @Valinta thinking of trying this without the rug initially as we will have upholstered chairs to soften a bit, then get the rug later if we feel it is worthwhile.

@Nicole’s designs @amystoller: The refectory table is something to consider, just prefer a bit more space so the 38”W dining table may be my compromise.

Appreciate all of the feedback! I tend to get lost in the details so this helps me narrow down the best options.

I can't blame you for wanting more space around the table. If you can make a narrower table work, I say go for it.

I once had a kitchen so tiny that my roommate and I had to sit at either side, and at alternate ends, of what was really a console table. It's amazing what you can do when you have to. Compared to that, you have oodles of space!

My dining room is 11' wide and I have a 48" wide table with a 16" deep buffet that I brought from my previous home. It's tight and I've considered going to a 42" just to get a few more inches of space. I can't imagine having another console in the room. It would be impossible to move through the room.

@katinparadise thank you for sharing this! Helps to hear from others that have a tighter room. If you are open to it, I would love to see a picture of your space. I enabled private messaging from anyone as well if helpful. If not I completely understand.

You're welcome. I will try to grab some pictures in a bit.

I like to place the largest item in a room first. That determines what you can do with the rest of the space and you want a rug, the largest item. For a 10'10.5" x 14'4" room I suggest an 8'x10' rug which will give you a floor border of 17.25" on the sides and 26" at top and bottom. The ideal width of a table for the rug is 36". The ideal length would be 72". Perfect for seating 6 people and keeping dining chairs on the rug when pulled back. For the few times you may have more guests, an oval table, with pedestal, would give you wiggle room to add place settings on the rounded edges. For this, I would suggest no placemats, but a table cloth, or nothing at all.

Then the most important consideration is the size of the dining chairs. No arms and comfortable.

So, my choice would be the oval shape.

Don't give up on storage or serving. Measure your corners for cabinets,

In a room as small as yours, you would do well to have no rug or wall to wall. My dining room is 13' square and I have a 38" x 72" rectangular table, a buffet and a small chest of drawers. The 8 x 10 rug is ok but the chair legs are off the rug when pulled out. Your room is much too narrow for anything but a table, chairs and shallow console table.

Agree with the advice to keep it simple/less cluttered but just a vote for comfortable upholstered chairs, it makes a big difference - we have drinks in our DR, play cards, have a puzzle going at one end in the winter etc - the chairs make the space a place we want to be

@oncape appreciate these suggestions! I had not thought of the oval adding a bit more space. Also love the idea of a corner piece where I have the buffet in my picture. Your pictures really help. I am thinking a custom 8 x 11 rug to allow more room on the ends when expanded. We have some larger men in the family which is a consideration for the chair size. I am completely with you on the large item first. I am planning to get the table and chairs, then it will be simpler to map out what if anything can be added to the room.

@Diana Bier Interiors, LLC I have thought about no rug although I like rugs :-). I may place the table/chairs before purchasing a rug and live with that a bit to see how it feels. This may also help me determine if a console is "doable" and/or possibly the corner piece as oncape shared but yes, I need to keep in mind as much as I want more furniture, it is a small space and may not be wise.

@la_la Girl thank you! The upholstered chairs certainly seem to soften a room. They are deeper (disadvantage) but the larger men in our family will appreciate it! Something to consider.

Here's a pic of my dining room. S

o.rry the lighting isn't great. It faces west and the sun is over in that direction right now. I don't have a rug because it also goes through to my kitchen

@katinparadise this looks nice and not crowded at all. Thank you for sharing! Helps to see actual photos to go with the dimensions.

You're welcome! It is quite tight for the chairs by the buffet. I usually make my skinny adult son sit on that side! The oval table does help. As I said, I'd like to get a narrower table but I've had the set for over 20 years and it is solid ash wood. There's not a bit of veneer or MDF to be found. In all honesty, I couldn't affort to replace it now!

@Design Fan (NE z7a), you are very gracious to respond to us commentators. Doesn't happen often. Sometimes one doesn't get a thank you for taking the time to comment.

@oncape I try to respond as honestly every response is helpful. I am not good about commenting on questions posted by others however so need to do so!