How to choose the right dining table according to the size and shape?

It does not matter if you have got a formal rectangular room or you are craving some transitional space between an open kitchen concept and a family room, finding the right dining room is the key. Many times, the dining table is the focal point of the room where you can sit together with your family and friends to spend some good quality time. So, make sure that your dining room fits the aesthetics and enhances the design of your home.

You need to understand the shape of your room as well as how large a group will actually be seated at the dining table. You will find that certain shapes lend themselves better to certain conditions. When you match the two, you create a flow that makes your space look and function better.

Assess your space:

One of your first step for the quest for a dining space is to consider the room that it would go in. You need to consider whether you are using it for a holiday, hosting parties or for an everyday setting.

If your need is for an everyday setting then purchase a table which is low on maintenance and high on style. Make sure that whatever you decide on, you leave enough room to walk around and comfortably to get in and out of the seats.

The right size table is scaled proportionally to your dining space and leaves enough room to easily pull out chairs and maneuver around. These layout tips will help you determine the sweet-spot range for table dimensions.

The right amount of space around your table:

• Minimum: 36 inches
• Ideal: 42-48 inches
• For a thoroughfare or entrance: 48 inches

The right width for your table:

• For place settings only: 28-30 inches
• For place settings and serving pieces: 36 inches
• For the ability to pass across the table: no more than 48 inches

Select your materials:

Deciding the material of the dining table involves that you should know how and when will the material be used. Wooden tables offer the warmth and comfort for daily use and will not show regular wear or fingerprints easily. Similarly, concrete, bamboo, and marble are hardy without skimping on style. If you’re okay with something a bit higher maintenance that will be used less often, sleek modern materials such as glass and MDF may be for you.

Choose your style:

After choosing the right material and size that you need for your table, the next important task is to choose the style of the table depending upon your choice and preference. You can go for a traditional or a modern style, making your table do as much or as little as you want it to. Keep it classic with an all-wood option or get loud and choose something that will set the bar for style in your dining room. Paired with the perfect chairs, your dining table should be a reflection of your lifestyle at its best.

Guide to choosing your dining table according to the shape and size:

1. Rectangular dining table:

It can be safe to say that a rectangular dining table is one of the most popular out of the lot. It offers a greater number of seats, more space for the dishes and a lovely addition to your living room. It is also possibly one of the best shapes since your dining room is also rectangular in shape. This shape of the table is also good to seat more than four people at one time.

If you have a rectangular dining room then you can place this design parallel to a long wall for a dramatic flair. Place it by the window to make it even more appealing with a bright and airy feel. Place it in a corner that doesn’t receive too much traffic (of people!) for disturbance-free meals.

 

2. Oval dining table:

An oval dining table is similar to the rectangular dining table in many of its attributes and qualities. If you look at it visually it occupies less amount of space than a rectangular table due to its rounded corners. The curved edges also make it the perfect choice especially when the children are on the go.  You do not have to worry about the children bumping into the edges with an oval dining table.

Oval dining tables are also more sophisticated and add an old-world charm to your home. Since they soften the appearance of the room, it goes well in a room with low natural light. It is also suitable if you have a small or narrow room and still need to seat a greater number of people.

 

3. Square dining table:

This kind of dining table design is perfect for people who like their space. It does not require you to spare an entire section for space and offers ample counter space and offering you a café like an appearance at home. However, it is best to keep it as compact as possible as it can occupy a large amount of space in your room. Square dining tables also offer a good solution if you don't have a large number of people to seat. It can be off-putting to have large a rectangular table if there are only two or three people present for most of your meals—a larger table can make space seem cold.

A square shaped dining table fits the best in a square shaped room, otherwise, it has the possibility of looking out of place. A smaller square table can fit perfectly in pretty much any corner.

 

4. Round dining table:

Roundtables offer you the comfort of intimate conversations with a snug feeling and closeness. This shape is definitely a family-friendly table.  However, this compact table offers very little space to place an additional plate or a dish, making it a cumbersome task as there are no corners to spare.

Keep in mind that a roundtable is not ideal for larger gatherings. A large round table means that, while you can still see others, they seem far away, and you may have to shout across the table to be heard. Besides, most dining rooms aren't large enough to accommodate large round dining tables.

A roundtable is perfect while it is small. Anything bigger than 60 inches in diameter can make the food and the people seem more distant, making you struggle to pass the dishes around. It is a savior when it comes to small and square rooms, and especially for awkward corners.

 

Conclusion:

While it’s exciting to pick a new dining table design, do make sure the size fits. Otherwise square, oval, round or rectangular, any of them can suddenly seem like a bad choice! As long as you keep these pointers in mind, you will hopefully end up picking the right dining table shape.