The position and placement of your dining room table can either invite your guests to enjoy a good meal or make them feel cramped and uncomfortable. Whether you have a small dining room or a larger one, there are ways to make the room feel open, inviting, and comfortable. When deciding on how to place your dining room table, first consider the size and shape of your dining room itself. The size and shape of your dining room is the most important factor when positioning your table as it tells you how much table you can actually fit. You should have at least 36 inches between the table and the wall. This allows your guests to be able to comfortably push back their chairs and leave the table without bumping into anything. However, if you have the room, opt for a dining room table that will allow 46 inches of space to give your room a bigger, more open feel.
Small Dining Rooms
When decorating and designing a small dining room space, opt for a table with a removable leaf or one that can be extended by pulling out each end. There are also round tables that can be turned and opened, creating a bigger surface area. Investing in an extendable table will allow you to entertain both small and large groups comfortably.
Armless chairs are also great design elements when working with a small space. They give your guests more room to sit comfortably and create more of an open, airy feel to your dining room. In general, round pedestal tables tend to be the best choice of table for smaller dining rooms. They allow your guests to adjust seating more easily and will greatly reduce the risk of bumping elbows with another guest. While small dining rooms may be more challenging, there are plenty of ways to make your room seem bigger.
Large Dining Rooms
If you have a large dining room, you have more options when it comes to size and shape of your dining room table. That being said, you should always have at least 36 inches between your table and the wall. Using a table that matches the shape of your dining room will make it easier to maintain even spacing between the table and the walls. If you mostly entertain smaller groups, but occasionally invite larger groups, getting an extendable table is a great idea.
Another option would be to keep a smaller dining room table against a wall as a decoration piece and use it only when you need it. The smaller table can be used to extend your main dining room table or it can be used as a kids’ table if you often have children over. A buffet table or hutch is also a great piece to decorate your large dining room with as it can be used to store your formal diningware, napkins, and extra or formal silverware. When you have guests over, you can use the buffet hutch to hold the food so your dining room table doesn’t get overcrowded.
Written by Kelly Mahan, also writer for coceydesign, a company that helps homeowners find the best contractors for their home improvement projects, right in their area.
