Your dining room table is often the focal point of the room, anchoring the decor surrounding it and providing a comfortable pace for families and friends to gather for conversation over a meal. Browse shops on Etsy for a dining room table that reflects your style and provides the space you want for weeknight meals, special occasions, and any day in between.
When choosing your new dining table, consider the size and configuration of your available space and how many people you’d like to be able to seat. Then determine the following factors to hone in on the best options:
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- Height: There are two common dining table heights: standard and counter. Standard dining room tables typically range from 28 to 30 inches tall and are paired with chairs ranging from 18 to 23 inches to create a formal dining room style. A counter-height dining table is anywhere from 34 to 36 inches tall and works best with chairs ranging from 24 to 26 inches tall.
- Width: The width of your dining room table determines how easy it is to pass food around, the number of serving platters that fit on the surface, and what type of decorations and centerpieces you can incorporate into your table spread. To easily pass food between guests, a dining room table should be about 42 to 48 inches wide. A narrow table paired with a dining room sideboard or buffet can be as small as 30 inches and still seat a crowd comfortably.
- Length: To avoid bumping elbows, each dinner guest should have about 24 to 26 inches of horizontal space between each setting. To keep dings or scratches at bay, plan for around 6 inches of space between each chair. Determining how many chairs you’d like around your table helps you decide on an overall length. Keep your room’s size in mind when choosing. There should be around 36 to 48 inches of space between your table and the wall so you can easily maneuver around the table.
Dining tables range in size from small, quaint tables to long, elegant pieces capable of sitting both sides of the family plus a few friends. Some tables may be extendable with a hidden section called a leaf to add space for extra guests. When the party’s over, the leaf either stores below the extendable dining table or can be removed to return your dining table to the perfect size for day-to-day life.
If you’re starting from scratch with a new dining room design, consider a full dining room furniture set. Dining sets include a table and matching seating. Using a dining room set creates a cohesive look in your space and a nice jumping-off point for additional furniture and decorative elements throughout the room.