4.7 
Choose round for four to six people and a room where the table stands freely in the space. Choose oval from six people upwards, or when the room is longer than it is wide. A round table makes conversation easier because everyone faces each other; an oval table offers more seats with the same walking space. The tipping point is around six people: above that, a round table becomes so wide that you can no longer reach the centre.
Neither shape has the sharp corners of a rectangular table, and that is usually why people consider them. The choice between the two then mainly comes down to the shape of the room and the number of people.
What is the difference in seating?
With a round table, all the places are on the circumference, and that grows more slowly than you might think. Going from 120 to 140 centimetres in diameter gives only one extra seat, while the table does become twenty centimetres wider in both directions.
With an oval table, only the length grows. Going from 180 to 220 centimetres gives two extra places, without the table getting any wider.
That is why round is efficient up to about six people and oval above that.
Which shape suits which room?
| Situation | Best choice |
|---|---|
| Square room, table standing freely in the space | Round |
| Long, narrow room or kitchen-diner | Oval |
| Four people, little floor space | Round, 100 to 110 cm |
| Six to eight people | Oval, 200 to 220 cm |
| Narrow walkway alongside the table | Oval |
| Table in a bay window | Round |
The rule of thumb: a round table needs the same amount of space on all sides, while an oval table mainly needs length. Measure your room and see which of the two you can give more easily.
Which shape looks calmer?
A round table draws attention to the centre of the room and acts as a clear focal point. In an open space, that provides structure.
An oval table, on the other hand, follows the direction of the room and is therefore less conspicuous. In a kitchen-diner where a lot is already going on, that is often more pleasant.
There is no right or wrong here. It is sensible, though, to match the shape of the table to the shape of the space rather than work against it.
What does it mean for chairs and lighting?
Above a round table there is usually one central pendant light. Above an oval table you hang two or three in a row, or an elongated fitting, otherwise the ends stay dark.
As for chairs, a round table calls for narrower models. Wide armrests bump into each other sooner on a curved edge than on a straight side. View the options in our dining chairs collection.
What do we offer in both shapes?
| Shape | Sizes | Example and price |
|---|---|---|
| Round | 90 to 150 cm diameter | Solid oak Natural 120 cm, €1,369.00 |
| Danish oval | 140 x 80 to 240 x 110 cm | Solid oak Natural 200 x 100 cm, €1,564.00 |
We make both shapes in solid oak, oak veneer, ceramic, Fenix and melamine. View the round dining tables and Danish oval dining tables collections.
Key points
- Up to six people, round is efficient; above that, oval wins.
- A round table needs the same amount of walking space on all sides.
- An oval table follows the direction of a long, narrow room.
- Above an oval table you need several lights.
- Only narrower chairs fit well at a round table.
Frequently asked questions
Does a round table take up more space than an oval one?
For the same number of people, a round table usually takes up more floor space than an oval one. That is because the walking space has to be the same on all sides, whereas with an oval table you can make do with less at the short ends.
Which shape is better for a family with children?
For a family with small children, a round table often works well, because there are no sharp corners and everyone can see each other. If the family grows beyond six people, an oval table is more practical, because it grows in length without blocking the room.
Can you replace a round table with an oval one later?
With a table that has an interchangeable top this is sometimes possible, but usually the top and base are matched to each other and you replace both. If you are unsure about the shape, it is better to choose the shape that suits the maximum number of diners straight away.
Which shape goes best with a dining bench?
A dining bench lines up most beautifully with a round or Danish oval table, because the curved edge of the bench can follow the edge of the table. With a rectangular table, a wedge-shaped gap remains between the bench and the table. View the options under dining benches.
Is an oval table old-fashioned?
An oval table is not old-fashioned; the shape comes from 1950s Scandinavian design and has never really gone away since. That said, the combination of top, edge and base largely determines whether the table looks classic or modern.
In conclusion
Put the number of people who eat at the table every day next to the shape of your room, and the choice usually makes itself. If you are at exactly six people in a square room, both shapes can be justified and it is a matter of taste.
In that case, drop in at one of our showrooms, where both shapes stand side by side. No appointment is needed.
