The Numbers You Need to Know for the Perfect Dining Room
Consider the key measurements you need to plan a dining space whatever the style
Dining areas are either a distinct room or integrated into an open plan. Shapes and sizes of dining tables, chairs and furniture need to be considered so that personal movement is not impeded when the room is fully in use. Table and seat heights tend to be standard but all else varies greatly. Take into consideration your decor, your lifestyle and how frequently you will use the space when you’re planning a layout and shopping for furnishings.
Contemporary
Smaller-scale furnishings in modern designs will suit contemporary tastes well, as illustrated in this room. This layout also supports a sideboard, but its table is a fixed rectangular plank style with bentwood chairs and rush seating that give respectful allusion to traditional fashion. A modern glass chandelier replaces the traditional crystal type shown in the previous photo. A dimension of 91 to 107 centimetres around the entire table allows for chairs to be occupied with space for others to pass. If your table is 91 centimetres wide and 183 centimetres long, this scheme will work in a room that is as little as 3.4 metres wide by 3.6 metres long, considering a 61 centimetres depth for the sideboard.
How to choose and care for your wooden dining table
Smaller-scale furnishings in modern designs will suit contemporary tastes well, as illustrated in this room. This layout also supports a sideboard, but its table is a fixed rectangular plank style with bentwood chairs and rush seating that give respectful allusion to traditional fashion. A modern glass chandelier replaces the traditional crystal type shown in the previous photo. A dimension of 91 to 107 centimetres around the entire table allows for chairs to be occupied with space for others to pass. If your table is 91 centimetres wide and 183 centimetres long, this scheme will work in a room that is as little as 3.4 metres wide by 3.6 metres long, considering a 61 centimetres depth for the sideboard.
How to choose and care for your wooden dining table
Urban open plan
Many open plans, whether urban or suburban, integrate dining spaces into contiguous living and kitchen areas. The challenge is that wall space will likely be minimal for the placement of sideboards. In the design here it is solved with tall glass-enclosed cabinets that offer storage for tableware and lend decorative appeal. Cabinets for this purpose can be as shallow as 25, 30, 36 and 41 centimetres work better. The widths will depend on your circumstances and what pieces you can find that work with your style. Just keep in mind that you will want to maintain at least 91 centimetres clear off the edge of your table for occupied chairs so that others can comfortably pass around them. You will need 137 centimetres if you require wheelchair access.
11 ideas to demarcate a dining area in an open plan layout
Many open plans, whether urban or suburban, integrate dining spaces into contiguous living and kitchen areas. The challenge is that wall space will likely be minimal for the placement of sideboards. In the design here it is solved with tall glass-enclosed cabinets that offer storage for tableware and lend decorative appeal. Cabinets for this purpose can be as shallow as 25, 30, 36 and 41 centimetres work better. The widths will depend on your circumstances and what pieces you can find that work with your style. Just keep in mind that you will want to maintain at least 91 centimetres clear off the edge of your table for occupied chairs so that others can comfortably pass around them. You will need 137 centimetres if you require wheelchair access.
11 ideas to demarcate a dining area in an open plan layout
Use this illustration as a simple guide to assist in selecting furnishings and planning arrangements. Important elements are:
- Room width
- Room length
- Table shape
- Table size
- Chair type
- Chair size
- Cabinet type
- Cabinet size
- Circulation clearances
Suburban open plan
This dining table is nestled between the end of the kitchen and a living area. Its proximity to the kitchen takes care of tableware storage. The rug underneath helps to define the parameters. Notice that there is plenty of space around the table and chairs. Be sure to provide extra space when placing dining tables within circulation routes, as has been done here. Not only does traffic pass from the kitchen into the living area, but it also crosses to exit through the sliding glass door to the right and connects to the room at left. Leaving 122 to 152 centimetres beyond the edge of a table can be sufficient for this type of layout.
This dining table is nestled between the end of the kitchen and a living area. Its proximity to the kitchen takes care of tableware storage. The rug underneath helps to define the parameters. Notice that there is plenty of space around the table and chairs. Be sure to provide extra space when placing dining tables within circulation routes, as has been done here. Not only does traffic pass from the kitchen into the living area, but it also crosses to exit through the sliding glass door to the right and connects to the room at left. Leaving 122 to 152 centimetres beyond the edge of a table can be sufficient for this type of layout.
Urban combination layout
More than a few homes in urban environments have layouts similar to this one. A large, rectangular shape houses the living room, with windows at one end of a large space and a kitchen at the other. The dining area must rest between these points. Note that the backs of two chairs align with the backs of two bar stools. You will need more space in a similar setup if you will use these seating positions simultaneously; less if you will use them independently. Also note that the dining table chairs are arranged opposite each other. Placing one on each side of the table is another option.
More than a few homes in urban environments have layouts similar to this one. A large, rectangular shape houses the living room, with windows at one end of a large space and a kitchen at the other. The dining area must rest between these points. Note that the backs of two chairs align with the backs of two bar stools. You will need more space in a similar setup if you will use these seating positions simultaneously; less if you will use them independently. Also note that the dining table chairs are arranged opposite each other. Placing one on each side of the table is another option.
Kitchen relationship
Balancing formality using artwork and its position within a kitchen area, this dining room straddles purposes. The table can be set formally and viewed from the living area. It can also be closed off by the oversized sliding wooden door and become a workspace for multiple cooks who can use it as a preparation surface. Convertible spaces can assist when square footage is limited. Notice that the lightweight chairs allow visual airiness as well as ease of movement, which is essential in this scheme.
Balancing formality using artwork and its position within a kitchen area, this dining room straddles purposes. The table can be set formally and viewed from the living area. It can also be closed off by the oversized sliding wooden door and become a workspace for multiple cooks who can use it as a preparation surface. Convertible spaces can assist when square footage is limited. Notice that the lightweight chairs allow visual airiness as well as ease of movement, which is essential in this scheme.
Chairs
Dining chairs come in an extraordinary range of shapes, sizes and styles. Which are best for you depends on the size of your spaces and the theme of your decor. Here an urban loft with generous volumes mixes contemporary style with traditional chairs around a detailed rectangular wooden table. Fully upholstered chairs head the table, and Chippendale-style side chairs provide further seating. The Series 7 dining chairs have a significantly smaller footprint and flow with the sleek modern theme in this urban high-rise. Also note that tables supported by an individual or double pedestal can work better in smaller spaces. The loft can easily take on the four legs of the large wooden table.
Series 7 chairs have a footprint of 52 by 51 centimetres. The upholstered armchairs in the loft photo are closer to 66 by 66 centimetres in depth, and the wooden side chairs are about 61 66 centimetres in width and 66 centimetres in depth.
Mix and match: 10 dining table and chair combinations
Dining chairs come in an extraordinary range of shapes, sizes and styles. Which are best for you depends on the size of your spaces and the theme of your decor. Here an urban loft with generous volumes mixes contemporary style with traditional chairs around a detailed rectangular wooden table. Fully upholstered chairs head the table, and Chippendale-style side chairs provide further seating. The Series 7 dining chairs have a significantly smaller footprint and flow with the sleek modern theme in this urban high-rise. Also note that tables supported by an individual or double pedestal can work better in smaller spaces. The loft can easily take on the four legs of the large wooden table.
Series 7 chairs have a footprint of 52 by 51 centimetres. The upholstered armchairs in the loft photo are closer to 66 by 66 centimetres in depth, and the wooden side chairs are about 61 66 centimetres in width and 66 centimetres in depth.
Mix and match: 10 dining table and chair combinations
Rectangular
Carefully consider shape when buying dining room tables. Rectangular ones are the most traditional and readily available. Some rectangular shapes come with leaves so that you can extend them for larger dinner events. Most widths are 92 to 107 centimetres. Lengths vary greatly, but formal dining tables usually need at least 168 centimetres in length to work properly with six table settings. You can get tables that extend up to 305 centimetres, sometimes a little more; leaves that are 183 to 213 centimetres in length are common for stationary tabletops. This transitional space has a traditional rectangular table that can expand with leaves.
Carefully consider shape when buying dining room tables. Rectangular ones are the most traditional and readily available. Some rectangular shapes come with leaves so that you can extend them for larger dinner events. Most widths are 92 to 107 centimetres. Lengths vary greatly, but formal dining tables usually need at least 168 centimetres in length to work properly with six table settings. You can get tables that extend up to 305 centimetres, sometimes a little more; leaves that are 183 to 213 centimetres in length are common for stationary tabletops. This transitional space has a traditional rectangular table that can expand with leaves.
Square
More recently fashionable are square dining tables. While 91-, 107- and 122-centimetre ones are readily available in less formal dining furniture, larger ones – 137, 152 and 183 centimetres square – can now be found. This contemporary dining room celebrates its plywood theme with a large square dining table in a natural finish, along with Eames bent-plywood dining chairs. These chairs measure 50 by 55 centimetres.
More recently fashionable are square dining tables. While 91-, 107- and 122-centimetre ones are readily available in less formal dining furniture, larger ones – 137, 152 and 183 centimetres square – can now be found. This contemporary dining room celebrates its plywood theme with a large square dining table in a natural finish, along with Eames bent-plywood dining chairs. These chairs measure 50 by 55 centimetres.
Oval
Readily available in traditional and modern designs is an oval dining table. Shown here is Eero Saarinen’s iconic modern oval dining table with a cast aluminium pedestal base and walnut veneer top. This stunning design is made in either a 198-centimetre length and 121-centimetre width, or a 244-centimetre length and 137-centimetre width. In this space the table is paired with Eames moulded fibreglass dowel-leg side chairs, which have a footprint of 47 by 53 centimetres. Oval shapes can sometimes help smaller spaces flow more easily, since no one will need to navigate a square corner.
Readily available in traditional and modern designs is an oval dining table. Shown here is Eero Saarinen’s iconic modern oval dining table with a cast aluminium pedestal base and walnut veneer top. This stunning design is made in either a 198-centimetre length and 121-centimetre width, or a 244-centimetre length and 137-centimetre width. In this space the table is paired with Eames moulded fibreglass dowel-leg side chairs, which have a footprint of 47 by 53 centimetres. Oval shapes can sometimes help smaller spaces flow more easily, since no one will need to navigate a square corner.
Round
Another more recent trend is the round dining table. Those who like to have intimate dinner parties find these can foster lively conversation, since each person can clearly face every other. Of course, round bistro tables of as little as 61 centimetres in diameter have been around a long time, and many breakfast tables are 107 or 122 centimetres. But a formal dining table needs to be at least 152 centimetres in diameter and can easily be 183 centimetres as well.
Shop for dining tables
Another more recent trend is the round dining table. Those who like to have intimate dinner parties find these can foster lively conversation, since each person can clearly face every other. Of course, round bistro tables of as little as 61 centimetres in diameter have been around a long time, and many breakfast tables are 107 or 122 centimetres. But a formal dining table needs to be at least 152 centimetres in diameter and can easily be 183 centimetres as well.
Shop for dining tables
Banquettes
One last option is the banquette. Banquettes can assist when space is limited and it’s necessary to push the seating up against the wall. Here an upholstered banquette completes the dining space that is combined with a living area. Upholstered banquettes will need at least 61 centimetres in depth to function well. The width depends on individual circumstances, but generally they should accommodate just two people.
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One last option is the banquette. Banquettes can assist when space is limited and it’s necessary to push the seating up against the wall. Here an upholstered banquette completes the dining space that is combined with a living area. Upholstered banquettes will need at least 61 centimetres in depth to function well. The width depends on individual circumstances, but generally they should accommodate just two people.
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What sort of dining layout and furniture do you have? Share in the Comments below.
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Traditional dining rooms can be generously proportioned. Long, rectangular tables that adjust with leaves typify its style, while a sideboard provides storage for table linens and party ware and functions as a serving platform. Freestanding glass-enclosed china cabinets are still readily available; however, the design here shows a built-in that serves this purpose on the wall between the windows. Spaces with these features and furnishings require a larger-than-average room. You will need at least 4.3 metres in width and 4.9 metres in length for a similar arrangement, but 4.8 metres wide by 6.1 metres long will likely function better.