What Size Dining Table Do You Need?

If you're buying new furniture, you probably have a general idea of what size sofa can fit in your space and which end tables and chairs will fit in. But then comes the dining table. It's not uncommon for people to ask us: "What size dining table do I need?"

However, there's no one-size-fits-all answer. Your dining rooms needs are unique, and there's a lot to consider.

Choosing the Right Size Dining Table for Your Needs

Start With Table Height

First, we recommend choosing a table's height. Most people don't know that there are two standard size ranges for a dining room table:

• Standard: Table heights range from 28" to 30," and the seat height should be 18" to 23."
• Counter: A counter-height table stands 34" to 36" high, and you'll need chairs that are 24" to 26" high.

If you have family members that have difficulty standing up off of chairs, you may want to choose a counter-height table because the chair height is higher.

Width and Length

You should mark out your dining room's width and length to find a measurement that fits your space. Ideally, you'll also want to measure the table that you want to buy for the room. You can ask the manufacturer for the measurements and then use tape to mark off the space to see how it looks before making your purchase.

A few general rules are that:

• People need about 24" to 26" of space.
• If you want to pass food across a table, 4' is the maximum width.

Using this information, you can choose a table that's right for your family. For example, a 5-foot-long table will offer enough space for 2 people on each side, with 8" -12" of space on each side. If some people at the table are wider than others, this will allow for additional room for each person.

Ideally, chairs will remain 6 inches apart.

If you have more than four people that will be sitting at a table, you'll need a table that is 7-feet in length or more. Remember, each person needs a minimum of 2-feet to fit themselves at a table comfortably.

Distance from the Wall

Now that you have a general size for your table, you also need to consider one more thing:  distance from the wall. To fit comfortably, you need to have 3 to 4 feet of space between the wall and the table.

You can always push the table closer to the wall when it's not in use.

Four feet between the wall and table is what most people prefer because it offers enough space for people to walk to their chairs and leave the table comfortably. However, if you have a walkway near the table or a door nearby, be sure that the space meets this 48" recommendation.

Note: If you think that you may need more table space in the future, a table with a removable leaf allows you to expand the table as you see fit.

Finally, you can use the information above to choose a dining room table that's the perfect size for you and your space.