With the holiday season fast approaching, you may be starting to think about the family and friends you’re going to have over and wondering how you’re going to squeeze them all in around your dining table. Perhaps you’re even considering an update to your dining decor to better accommodate your guests. If so, you might be feeling slightly lost or overwhelmed by all the sizes and styles available. But have no fear, this guide is here to help you make sense of it all and choose your perfect table with confidence! Let’s break it down by four qualities: Table size, expandability, style, and shape.
Table Size:
Dining tables come in a wide variety of lengths and widths. The most common lengths are 42", 48", 54", 60", 66", 72", 78", 84", and 96" while the most common widths are 30", 36", 42", 44", 48", 54", and 60". Generally speaking, these lengths and widths can be mixed and matched as you desire, but, if necessary, custom sizes are certainly available to ensure your table is perfectly suited to accentuate and optimize your space.
Ultimately, the size of your table will be determined by the number of place settings you’re hoping to set and, of course, the space you have available. When it comes to place settings, the average modern place setting allows for two feet per setting, and a formal place setting--using multiple glasses and multiple sets of serving ware--requires 30", though this style is rarely used anymore. Additionally, each diner requires approximately a foot of leg space. So, if, for example, you want to have two place settings on either side of the table, you should look at tables that are, at the very least, 48” in length and 30” in width. If you want to have diners seated at the head and foot of the table as well, an extra foot of length would be needed on both ends. Our most popular sizes are shown below.
In terms of space, you want to be sure to select a table that adequately fills your space but does not overwhelm it or make it feel crowded. Before purchasing a table, you should carefully measure and map your space out first and check for any potential issues such as drawers or doors that may be hindered by the table.
As far as the clearance you need to allow around your table goes, it’s a good idea to allow for at least 42” between the table’s edge and any walls or other furniture in the room to ensure that people can walk around the table easily whether the chairs are pulled in or out. It’s important to point out, though, that a side chair requires less space to pull out than an arm chair--about an additional foot of space is usually needed for an arm chair. The minimum distance we recommend that you allow is approximately 30" from the table’s edge to the back of the chair when it is pulled out.
Table Expandability:
Another important aspect to consider when thinking about the size table you want is whether you want a solid-top table or a table with leaves. If you only need a large table for a few special occasions throughout the year, a table with leaves may be the most sensible choice. Typically, leaves are a foot wide, meaning the use of two leaves will offer you space for two additional place settings; this width is standard because it is easy for an individual to handle on their own and is less likely to warp, but larger widths are available upon request.
However, while tables with leaves are convenient because they allow you to shrink and expand your table as necessary, that convenience does come with a slightly higher price tag since the leaves must be fitted and require an expansion mechanism to be added to the table. In fact, a solid-top table that is the same size as a smaller table when it has leaves in would be less expensive.
Table Style:
Deciding on the style of table you want may seem like a purely aesthetic choice, but there are several practical factors you should consider.
When choosing the base for your table, there are three common options: leg, pedestal, and trestle. A leg table has legs that support the table, typically with one at each corner. This will mean that seating diners close to the corners may be more difficult. However, it will allow everyone to have unrestricted leg space under the table, and a leg table can typically be expanded further than other types, with the addition of more legs in the center.
A pedestal table is a table with a single or sometimes double pedestal support in the center of the table, and a trestle table features a cross-member that runs the length of the table and trestle supports at each end of the table. These base styles will allow for more seating around the perimeter of the table but may slightly restrict leg space.
Table Shape:
With regard to the shape, the most common options are rectangular, oval, square, and round. When selecting the best shape for you, consider what function you what your table to fulfill. Rectangular tables are good for big gatherings and are suitable in spaces that are long and narrow. Oval tables may allow for better traffic flow around the table as well as open up the possibility for continuous perimeter seating that would not be possible with a rectangle.
Square and round tables can give dining a closer, more personal feeling since diners are spaced equal distances apart and can easily see and communicate with all other diners. These table shapes both work well in small, square rooms and can help save space, too.
Choosing a new dining table may seem daunting at first: finding the right size, style, and shape for you out of the hundreds of options available. But hopefully, this guide can serve as a helpful starting point and ensure you can make your decision with confidence. If you have any questions or would like to learn more about the range of dining tables available at Geitgey’s Amish Country Furnishings, feel free to call, email, or visit. Our sales staff would be happy to help you find your perfect table!
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