Choosing the perfect dining table: size, shape and bonus tips

Picking a dining table can be harder than you might think. Unlike other pieces of furniture, the dining table has symbolic value as the focal point of your home, and the place where you bring together friends and family for dinner.

Our homes once almost always had a dining room, as somewhere to host Sunday lunches or celebrate birthdays and anniversaries. It was usually an immaculate space, precisely because it was designed for guests. There were often sideboards proudly displaying the family’s best silverware, and a large, elegant dining table for everyone to sit around.

Today, the dining room is no longer very common, with most preferring more fluid open-plan spaces. As a result, the dining table is usually found in the living area, or between the living room and the kitchen, as shown in the photos.

So now more than ever, it’s important to carefully consider the size, shape and measurements of your dining table, and the available space, to create something comfortable and well balanced. In this article, we’ll guide you through the process to help you make a considered, conscious choice.

Working with the available space

Before choosing your dining table, you need to first evaluate the available space, to avoid choosing a table that’s too bulky or not right for accommodating all your diners comfortably. Here’s how to go about it.

Start by measuring the length, width and height of the room, and considering any existing furniture such as sideboards, bookcases and storage units. The table should take up approximately a third of the space, with at least 90-100 cm clearance so you can move around it, open any nearby unit doors and pull out the chairs easily.

If the room is small, go for compact or extendable models. These tables are practical, as you can extend the surface space to add extra seats as needed. Remember to measure the space both with the table closed and fully open, to make sure it works in the room in both versions.

Table height: getting the ergonomics right

The height of the dining table is another important factor when it comes to creating a comfortable space: too high or too low and it can be enough to put you off your dinner.

The standard height varies between 73 cm and 76 cm, which suits most people and standard chairs. Chairs with a seat height of 45-50 cm go well with most standard tables. For optimal ergonomics, match the chairs to the specific table height.

Ensure you have approximately 30 cm between the chair seat and the table top, so you can move your legs freely.

The fixed Dominik table shown in the photo is 73.5 cm tall, and paired with Turandot upholstered chairs measuring 80 cm. This combo is comfortable and well-balanced for sitting.

The extendable Febe table is 75.7 cm high and paired with the Nabucco chairs, 78 cm. The chairs have been chosen to ensure there is sufficient room to manoeuvre, even when the table is fully open.

How big should your dining table be?

The size of the table depends both on the available space and on the number of people using it regularly.

• Rectangular table: ideal for large families. Standard sizes range from 100 x 80 cm to 120 x 80 cm for 4-6 people, 180 x 90 cm for 8 people and 240 x 100 cm for 10 people. The width of the table usually increases in proportion to the length, providing more space for diners.

• Round table: perfect for small or narrow spaces. Diameter 120 cm is enough for 4 people, while 150 cm can accommodate up to 6-8 people.

• Square table: standard sizes are 90 x 90 cm for 4 people and 150 x 150 cm for 8 people, but these models are more suitable for large spaces.
  
  

Each diner should have around 60 cm of space to sit comfortably, so to get it right, count the number of seats you need and check whether the table size is compatible with the available space.

The rectangular Dominik table with a chunky top comes in three sizes: 180 x 90 cm, 200 x 100 cm and 220 x 120 cm.: 180 x 90 cm, 200 x 100 e 220 x 120 cm.

If you often have friends or family over, consider an extendable table. Models such as Enid – 160 cm when closed, extendable up to 260 cm – are ultra-versatile, allowing you to add seats as needed.

Rectangular, square, round or oval? How to choose the shape of your dining table

The shape of your table influences both the aesthetics and the functionality of the space. There are advantages and disadvantages to each.

Rectangular tables are the most common, and suit long, narrow rooms. They offer space for lots of diners, but can feel cumbersome in small rooms.

A square table creates a more intimate feel and stimulates conversation, but requires more space than a rectangular table to accommodate the same number of people.

Round tables are ideal for small spaces and allow the conversation to flow. But they can be less practical for larger families.

An oval table combines the advantages of round and rectangular tables, offering more seating than a round table of the same size, and without the pointy corners of a rectangular table.

You also need to make sure that the table legs don’t interfere with the chairs and instead ensure a comfortable experience for everyone.

Materials, style and other tips

The style and choice of materials for your dining table are also key for the look and feel of the space. Different materials give the space a different character and offer advantages in terms of durability, practicality and design.

• Wood: a timeless classic, wood brings warmth to any room. This versatile material adapts to many styles, from rustic to contemporary, thanks to the different varieties available.

• Glass: ideal for those who want a modern, light look. Glass reflects the light and is perfect for small spaces, helping to create a more open feeling.

• Metal: durable – perfect for industrial or minimalist style spaces. It can be used for both the table top and the legs, creating interesting combinations.

• Marble: oozing elegance and luxury, marble is a striking choice. It suits refined styles and sophisticated spaces, and has become very popular in recent years.

To create a harmonious look, the table should fit with the existing furniture, either coordinating with it or creating an elegant contrast. The most important thing is that the table adds value to the room. Below are some models by Santalucia Mobili.

The Dominik table with a wooden top and metal legs matches the furniture in the same finish. The wood grain adds warmth to the room, which has a modern vibe.

The light marble effect of the extendable Gunter table adds a touch of elegance and sophistication to the room. Paired with a lacquered wooden bookcase, it brings different textures to the interior design, creating an elegant contrast in line with the latest trends.

The extendable Enid table with a textured top and sculptured base design is a statement piece, perfect for those opting for industrial style.

Chairs used to be chosen to coordinate with the table, as part of a more uniform and traditionalist approach. Today’s interior design trends have evolved, and we’re seeing more creative, customised solutions.

Mixing different styles, materials and colours for your table and chairs is one way to create something truly unique and original, and have fun experimenting with contrasts and combinations, like in the photo.

In the design below, the contrast is in the materials rather than the colour: the chairs have a wooden frame, while the table structure is metal. What matters in examples like these is finding the balance between the various elements so that, despite the differences, the look is coherent and works well as a whole.

Colour, shape or recurring stylistic details can be used to tie the interiors together. For example, in the image below, the chairs are upholstered in the same fabric as the sofa.

The perfect dining table for your home

Choosing the right dining table means finding the perfect balance between functionality and aesthetics. Each element – size, shape and material – contributes to creating a space that offers both comfort and great design. Your dining table is more than just a piece of furniture: it’s a space for sharing, socialising and spending time together in those precious everyday moments, and you need to choose it carefully.

So now you have all the practical advice you need to choose your ideal dining table, it’s time for us to sit down together around a Santalucia Mobili table and find the perfect dining suite for your home! Let’s make every meal with family and friends an enjoyable experience.

Browse all our designs in the Homy Details catalogue.