How do you determine the dimensions of your dining table?

The dining table is the heart of your home. You eat at it, work at it, have drinks with friends at it and your children do their homework at it. Precisely because you do so much at it, you want a table that fits perfectly. And that is easier said than done. Many people stand there with a tape measure in hand, unsure about the right size of dining table.

In this guide we explain step by step how to determine the size of your dining table. Not just the table itself, but above all the space around it, because that is usually where things go wrong in practice. By the end you will know exactly which size fits your room. Feel free to browse our complete range of dining tables while you read.

How much space do you need for a dining table?

A common mistake is that people only look at the table and forget the space around it. Yet that space is at least as important. If you are seated too tightly, eating quickly feels uncomfortable. That is why there are two basic measurements you should always keep to.

The first is the width per person. To eat comfortably, a person needs at least 60 cm of width at the table. Within those 60 cm there is room for a plate, glass, cutlery and enough elbow room without bumping into your neighbours.

The second measurement applies if you have dining chairs with armrests. Take note, because then 60 cm is too tight. Chairs with armrests are wider and often do not slide fully under the table. In that case, allow 70 cm of width per chair, so the chairs fit neatly side by side.

How much space do you need behind a dining chair?

The space behind the chair is the most often forgotten. Yet it is crucial, because a chair needs to be able to move back so you can stand up. If you do not factor in that space, you will bump into the wall or the cupboard at every meal.

The rule of thumb is simple. Keep at least 70 to 80 cm free between the edge of the table and the wall or a cupboard. That is just enough to push your chair back and sit down comfortably.

Do you want someone to be able to walk behind the seated guests, for example to serve? Then you need more. In that case, allow at least 120 cm from the edge of the table, so someone can walk behind the chairs without difficulty.

Determining the number of people: how many chairs fit around a dining table?

How many chairs fit around a dining table depends on two things: the shape of the table and the type of base. The latter is often underestimated, even though it makes a big difference.

A table with four legs at the corners loses space at exactly those corners. If you put a chair there, you bump into a table leg. If you choose a table with a central matrix leg or spider leg in the middle, you keep the corners free. You can then place chairs all around the table without bumping into anything, and that can easily gain you one or two seats.

Use the table below as a guideline for the length or diameter you need per number of people.

Which dining table fits in a small space?

Do you live in a small home or have a cramped dining area? Then choosing a dining table takes a bit more puzzling, but it is certainly possible. With these three solutions you get the most out of your available space.

The first solution is the round dining table. Because a round table has no sharp corners, it interrupts the walking routes in the room less. That looks more spacious and you are much less likely to bump into it. Take a look at our round dining tables.

The second solution is the dining bench. Place a rectangular table with its long side against the wall and put a bench there. You do not have to push a bench back to sit down, so on that side you immediately save 70 to 80 cm of precious walking space.

The third solution is an extendable table. It is ideal if you live in a small home but still have guests over now and then. In everyday use you keep a compact table, and for a dinner party you simply extend it.

Practical tip: measure your dining room with painter's tape

Do you really want to be sure a table fits before you buy it? Then mark out the desired table size, for example 200 x 90 cm, with painter's tape on the floor of your dining room. Then place your current chairs around the taped outline.

That way you immediately see and feel whether there is enough walking space left and whether the room does not become too full. It works much better than just looking at the numbers, because now you can really picture it. Good to know: the standard Measure app on your phone, on both iOS and Android, also helps you make a quick digital sketch of the space.

Need personal advice?

Still unsure about the right size after measuring? We are happy to help you think it through. Feel free to contact the specialists at Kas20, or visit the showroom. Bring the floor plan and the dimensions of your living room, and together we will find the dining table that fits your space perfectly.