A very important consideration when buying your Dining Table is how many chairs you need and how many will fit in comfort around your Table. Indeed, this is a really important consideration before buying your new Table, as well of course Room Shape & Style. Here are 5 easy guidelines to help guide you to answer this question.
1. First Decide if the Table will have Legs or be on a Centre Legs/Pedestal.
This might not seem like the first place to start but remember a table on centre Pedestal/Legs will fit more Chairs along the Rectangular Side than a Table with 4 Corner Legs. The images below show this with the 1st Table only fitting 2 Chairs down the side & the 2nd easily fitting 3 to 4.
2. Space Between Chairs
The recommended space between Chairs is 30cm to give each person enough room & comfort for those extra plates, dishes, cutlery & also elbows. Of course, the width of the Chair is an important factor too as larger Armchairs or Padded Chairs may take up extra room to buttery stick to the 30cm gap.
3. Space Behind Chairs.
The recommended distance between the wall and the nearest piece of Furniture is 90cm. This allows enough space to comfortably push the Chairs back and stand. Also, this gives enough space to walk around the Chairs when used.
4. Shape & size of your Table.
The Shape of your Dining Table will impact the number of Chairs you can fit. A Rectangle Table which is the most common Shape, will allow for Chairs along the side and also at the end, especially on tables which are at least 100cm wide, like the Table in the image below which is 1.2M wide. Extra seating can also be added if the Table is extended.
Round & Square Tables depending on size offer increasing options for extra Chairs but do take up larger spaces in your room but are very convenient for facing guests at the Table and of course, can accommodate more dishes & plates. Smaller 1 to 1.2M Round Tables are great for more compact spaces and can still accommodate 4 Chairs. 1.6 – 1.7M Round Tables will accommodate 6 -7 Chairs in complete comfort but remember to keep that 90cm space behind if possible.
5. Shape & Size of Your Room
The Shape of your room will also influence the number of Chairs you will fit. More formal Dining Rooms tend to be rectangular in shape so this would suggest a Rectangular, Oval, or D-End Table, and then the length of the Table will dictate how many Chairs you can fit. More informal or open-plan spaces increase the number of shapes available to you including round and increasingly popular Square tables such as the image below of a 1.6M, 8 Seater Table.
And Finally
When planning your seating arrangements, also consider the option of very comfortable Benches which are hugely popular for Children and adults alike and can be swapped with your Chairs for more casual and fun seating offering more cost-effective solutions.
We have compiled a handy guide to help you decide how many Chairs are suitable for every Table shape & size from 4 to 12 Chairs. We hope this is useful and if you have any questions or queries, please do get in touch.
