Have you ever thought about how an eating table can be the unsung hero of every family gathering and holiday dinner or an unsung hero of an otherwise quiet weekday breakfast? Believe me that having the right sized dining table can make a huge difference between having space enough to move around and being elbow-to-elbow with the person next to you just to hand them the butter! Here is everything you need to know about dining or coffee table measurements so you can find a table that suits your home and lifestyle.
The Importance of Standard Sizes
When shopping for dinnerware, looking for a tablecloth or envisioning your room, standard sizes afford you the ability to put everything all in one size. With the proper size/shape table, your guests can place their plates comfortably without bumping knees and without you yelling across the table “Can you please pass the salt?”
Choosing the Shape of Your Dining Table
Typically, tables are rectangular, square, or round with sweet spots within those specs.
For Square Tables:
Seating: Generally, four diners fit nicely around a square table.
Side Length: 36″ – 44″
Height: Typically 34″ -36″ (counter height) gives a casual vibe and option for barstools.
For Rectangular Tables:
Width: 36″ – 40″
Length suggestions:
48″: four diners
60″: four to six diners
78″: six to eight diners!
The taste to remember is about 24″: edge per person.
For Round Tables:
Diameter for seating:
36″ – 44″: four,
44″ – 54″: four to six
54″: six to eight diners
Reasons to select a round table: perfect for cozy nooks, great for conversations, and it keeps everyone close.
Beyond Length and Width: Table Height
Standard Dining Height (28″ – 30″)
This is a traditional choice, your feet are on the ground and every one has plenty of space to comfortably slide in and out.
Counter Height (36″)
This would be fabulous for a casual eat-in kitchen, or for an impromptu homework station.
Bar Height (42″)
This provides a pub table vibe, and it is great for mixing sitting and standing for game night, or cocktail hour.
Pro Tip: If your ceiling is 8-feet high, hang your chandelier so it is approximately 30″-36″ above the top of the tabletop. It will give you a great ambiance!
Stretching with Leaves
Are you a fan of hosting? If you can help it, find a table with leaves that can be removed. For example, a round pedestal table at 48″ can extend to 66″ with an 18″ leaf (yes, that would accommodate six-person dinners!), and even larger tables can extend to eight or more! Just measure your room first to ensure you have enough room for the table at its maximum extension, and then make sure you have at least about three feet of walking space all around.
Coffee Tables: The Sofa's BFF
Coffee tables should typically be 1″–2″ lower than your sofa cushions—right around 15″–20″ high! One quick rule of thumb is to buy a coffee table about half the length of your couch, then adjust the width until it fits into your living room living space like a custom fit.
FAQs You Didn’t Know You Needed
Average Dining Room Size?
Minimum Width of Table?
Chair Clearance?
Personal Space?
Finding the right table comes down to balancing looks, function and your lifestyle, “aesthetic” comfort. Whether that comes from a round cozy table for Sunday brunch, or a long rectangular table for the big celebratory dinners, knowing these measurements will help take the guess work out of styling your space. So take a moment, measure your space, picture your gatherings, and find the dining or coffee table that turns meals into memories.
About Hanse
Hanse creates and builds custom dining and coffee tables that are designed for life, combining timeless design with innovation. Hanse uses quality hardwoods and precision-engineered leaves, designed for tables that work when its you and your space moving together. Visit us at www.hanseluk.com to view and shop our full collection to find your perfect table!
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