The Right Dining Table Considerations

When you’ve made the decision to go custom we know you want to get it right and there are many dining table considerations to think through. As you see the price tag on the custom piece it can be easy to want to “maximize” your spend by getting the largest table possible that will fit in your space. As natural as that response is, there is much more to consider. Now, let’s find the right size furniture for your space!

Everyone knows the experience of the holidays when people are crammed all around the table. Getting around one another becomes difficult and even requires the scooting in of one relative while you suck in your now to full belly. Although this can be a nostalgic feeling, today we want to give you some reasons why.

With that knowledge we intend to make it easier for you to decide on the size of your table by arming you with the tools of anthropometric theory. This is the fancy term for the measuring the proportions of the human body and how that relates to your furniture.

Natural Demand

Have you ever stepped into a space and couldn’t help but notice the dining room table? You couldn’t put your finger on it but your attention just naturally wanted to go there? This happens by what is called “natural demand.” Demand refers to the attention naturally received by a subject. The biggest way to create more or less natural demand on a piece of furniture is the height. As a 6’7 man or woman walks into a room they naturally demand more attention then us average folks. This dining table consideration often goes unplanned… 

The same goes for the height of a table. The average height for a table is between 28 and 32 inches. Although the difference is only 4 inches, there can be a big difference in natural demand. If a table is stealing all the attention when someone walks into a room, it is usually because it is on the upper end for table height. So the first question to ask yourself when deciding how big to go is, how much attention do I want to create? If you want your table to be subtle or low key, go on the lower end of the height standard. If you want your table to naturally grab peoples attention, go on the upper end or exceed the average height.

Other factors like color and table style can obviously impact this as well but heights and dimensions effect the natural demand way more than most furniture makers would give credit to. 

Atmosphere of Space

Now that we have the height of the dining table considered it is time to to pile people in! But how much space does each person need? If you have ever bumped elbows with the left handed person next to you while trying to eat then you know this is important. Here are some helpful tips to create the atmosphere at your table that you desire. 

A good rule to follow with it comes to space allocation per person is 24 inches. That is the average amount of room for people to eat comfortably alongside one another. This provides enough space while still giving that cozy close vibe while at the dining room table. Push it to 30-36 inches and you have a much more formal feeling at the dinner table. Think eating out at fine restaurant or wedding event. Both are great options, they just communicate differently to the space and people in it.

 

Right Size for Movement Around Table

How much space is comfortable for walking around your table? We have all experienced a time there was not enough room to get around other people. Think about finding a seat in a movie theater. We know that’s not enough room but what is? The good rule here is 3 ft or 36 inches from a wall or other piece of furniture. This provides enough room to get around those sitting at the table without having to shimmy on by. At the same time these dimensions create a comfortable amount of space for good conversation.

 

Considerations around your dining table size: 

• Do you enjoy serving from the table more frequently than an adjacent counter? 
• Do you plan to use your table for games and eating, alike? Do you plan to use it as a second office table? 
• What is the maximum number of people you would like to seat here for thanksgiving dinner? 

These types fo questions can really help you get creative and work within the natural confines of a dining space. 

Summary 

These dining table considerations will help you navigate the world of whats possible! 

1) How much attention do I want to give my table?

28-32 inches average. Adjust the height to give more or less “natural demand” to your table.

2) What atmosphere do you want to create?

24 inches average space per person. Less becomes more intimate and more makes it feel formal

3) Ease of Movement

Allow 36 inches around all sides of table for optimal ease of movement. This can be varied, based on a variety of factors, but don’t try and fit too much into a space. Often times, allowing more breathing room around the table will be a good call, instead of trying to maximize the dining table space. 

 

 

Sometimes our space does not allow us to hit certain aspects we would like to. Thats where custom can be a big bonus. 

Please reach out if you have any questions on how we can find the right size table your space.

If all of this talk around human dimension and interior space gets your  particularly jazzed, here is a link to an awesome book you can reference.

Human Dimension and Interior Space Reference

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