Whether it’s a separate room or integrated into an open plan, the dining room remains an ideal home feature. The shape and size of the dining table, chairs, and furniture need to be considered so that it does not interfere with personal activities when the room is fully used.
The height of the tables and chairs tends to be standard, but everything else varies greatly. When planning your layout and buying furniture, consider your décor, lifestyle, and how often you’ll use the space.
Closed Restaurant
Traditional
A traditional restaurant can be spacious, like this one. A rectangular table that adjusts with the leaves represents its style, while a sideboard provides storage space for tablecloths and cutlery and doubles as a service platform. Freestanding glass-enclosed porcelain cabinets are still readily available. However, the design here shows that there is a built-in device on the wall between the windows for this purpose. There is also a fireplace on the opposite wall of this room.
Spaces with these features and furnishings require rooms that are larger than average. For a similar arrangement, you’ll need at least 14 feet (4.3 meters) wide and 16 feet (4.9 meters) long, but 15 feet (4.3 meters) long. A width of (4.8 m) x 20 feet (6.1 m) long may work better.
Contemporary
The small furniture of modern design is perfect for contemporary taste, as shown in this room. This layout also supports sideboards, but its table is a fixed rectangular plank style with curved wood chairs and corduroy seats. The modern glass chandelier replaces the traditional crystal chandelier shown in the previous photo.
The entire table circumference measures 36 to 42 inches (91 to 107 cm) to allow room for the chair to pass through. If your table is 36 inches (91 cm) wide and 72 inches (183 cm) long, the scheme is suitable for rooms that are only 11 feet (3.4 m) x 12 feet (3.6 m) wide. Length, considering 2 feet. Depth of the sideboard (61 cm).
Open Plan Dining Area
Urban
Many of the city’s open-plan homes, both urban and suburban, integrate dining spaces into adjacent living and kitchen areas. The challenge is that there can be very little wall space for sideboards and china cabinets. In the design here, it is addressed by a tall glass-enclosed cabinet that provides storage space for dishes and has decorative appeal.
Cabinets for this purpose can be as shallow as 10 inches, but 12, 14, and 16 inches (25, 30, 36, and 41 cm) work better. The width will depend on your situation and how well you can find a piece that suits your style. Keep in mind that you need to stay at least 36 inches (91 cm) away from the chair you have occupied on the edge of the table so that others can comfortably walk around them. If you need wheelchair access, you’ll need 54 inches (137 cm).
Suburban
This dining table is located between the end of the kitchen and the living area. It is close to the kitchen and can store utensils. The carpet below helps define the parameters. Please note that there is plenty of space around the tables and chairs.
When placing the dining table within the circulation route, be sure to provide additional space, as you did here. Traffic not only enters the living area from the kitchen, but also exits through a sliding glass door on the right and connects to the room on the left. For this type of layout, leaving 48 to 60 inches (122 to 152 cm) beyond the edge of the table is sufficient.
Combined Layouts
Many houses in urban environments have similar layouts. The living room is a large rectangular shape with a window at one end and a kitchen at the other. Dining areas must be located between these points.
Note that the backs of the two chairs are aligned with the backs of the two bar stools. If you use both of these seating positions, you’ll need more space in a similar setup, and less if you’re using them independently. Also note that the dining table and chairs are arranged opposite each other. Another option is to place one on each side of the table.
Seat
Dining chairs come in a variety of different shapes, sizes, and styles. Which is best for you depends on the size of your space and the décor theme.
The urban loft here is spacious, blending modern style with traditional chairs around delicate rectangular wooden tables. Above the table are fully upholstered chairs, and Chippendale-style side chairs provide more seating.
The width and depth of the upholstered armchair is nearly 26 inches (66 x 66 cm), and the width and depth of the wooden side chair is about 2 feet (61 cm).
The 7 Series dining chairs in the photo have a significantly smaller footprint and fluidity, in keeping with the sleek, modern theme of the city’s high-rise buildings. Also note that a table supported by a single or double base can work better in a smaller space. The attic can easily accommodate the four legs of a large wooden table. The Series 7 chair has a footprint of 20.5 inches wide and 20 inches deep (52 x 51 cm).
Another seating option is benches. Benches are usually reserved for restaurants, and they can come into play when space is limited and seats need to be pushed against the wall.
There is an upholstered bench to complete the dining space. Upholstered benches need to be at least 2 feet (61 cm) deep to function properly. The width varies depending on the individual, but generally only accommodates two people.
The Shape of the Dining Table
Rectangle
When buying a dining table, think carefully about the shape. Rectangles are the most traditional and readily available. Some rectangular shapes come with leaves so you can expand them for large dinner events.
Most are 36 to 42 inches (92 to 107 centimeters) wide. Lengths vary widely, but formal dining tables typically need at least 66 inches (168 cm) in length to fit well with the six table settings. You can get tables up to 120 inches (305 cm) long, sometimes a little longer, and the common leaf length for fixed tops is 72 to 84 inches (183 to 213 cm).
Square
A square dining table is also available. While 36, 42, and 48-inch (91, 107, and 122 cm) square furniture is easy to use for less formal dining room furniture, larger furniture – 54, 60, and even 72-inch (137, 152, and 183 cm) square furniture can now be established as well.
This contemporary restaurant celebrates its plywood theme with large square dining tables with natural finishes and Eames curved plywood dining chairs. These chairs are 19.5 inches wide and 21.75 inches (50 x 55 cm) deep.
Oval
The oval dining table has a traditional and modern design. The oval shape can sometimes help smaller spaces flow more easily because no one needs to go through the square corners.
Presented here is Eero Saarinen’s signature modern oval dining table with a cast aluminium base and marble top. This stunning design comes in 78 inches. (198 cm) length and 47 3/4 inches. (121 cm) wide, or 96 inches. (244 cm) long and 54 inches (137 cm) wide. In this space, tables are paired with Eames molded fiberglass dowel leg side chairs, each measuring 18.5 inches wide and 21 inches deep (47 x 53 cm) in size.
Round
Those who prefer to host intimate dinners find that the round dining table can promote lively conversation because everyone can clearly face each other. Of course, round bistro tables as small as 2 feet (61 cm) in diameter have been around for a long time, and many breakfast tables are 42 or 48 inches (107 or 122 cm) in size. But a formal dining table needs to be at least 60 inches (152 cm) in diameter, and it can easily reach 72 inches (183 cm).
Use this illustration as a simple guide to help choose furniture and plan your arrangement. The important elements are:
- The width of the room
- Room length
- Table shape
- Table size
- Chair type
- Chair size
- Cabinet type (sideboard or kitchen cabinet)
- Cabinet size
- Circulation clearance