Which Small Dining Tables Should You Choose?
Tameka Norris | Dec 24, 2009 | Comments 0
You can learn about the different types of dining tables available on the market, get an idea on the size dining table you should choose–especially if you’re going for a basic dining table.
Next you’ll be able to use your preferred dining experience to go with a dining table that’s right for you. And lastly, you can check out where to buy a variety of space saving dining tables for your small home.
Different Types of Small Dining Tables
Wall-mounted dining tables, folding dining tables, drop-leaf dining table and more. Those are just some of the dining tables on the market. And with every choice available, choosing can become even more difficult.
So let’s begin by defining the different types of dining tables on the market and how each small home can benefit from them.
Although obvious, what makes wall-mounted dining tables so important is the ability to save you floor space. They are the best choice if you want an almost non-existent solution. Since they generally fold in and out and don’t intrude upon necessary surrounding space this option is most ideal in small places where there is no actual dining area. For example, dorm rooms, studio apartments, lofts or single rooms.
Folding tables are simply dining tables that can be folded flat and stored away when not in use. TV trays are also considered among this group and may come in handy in home in which a group of smaller sized tables are preferred in place of one large folding dining table. You’ll find that folding tables are mainly ideal in homes, such as lofts and studios, that may not have a dining room.
Drop leaf tables are notch down from folding tables. Since they fold, but don’t fold flat and aren’t generally stowed away. They’re ideal for homes with small dining rooms that can’t afford much space. This is common in 1-2 bedroom apartments, lofts and some condos.
Gateleg tables are a step down from drop-leaf tables and a step up from convertible tables (see below). Typically they have two drop leaves on each side and legs that swing out like a “gate” to serve as support for the leaves. They drop down from large to extremely small tables, and if preferred, they can be used as small display tables when meal time is not in session.
Convertible dining tables are dining tables that convert into something else. In other words, they aren’t just dining tables. Usually they also serve as sofa tables, game tables and of the like. They’re great for homes without dining rooms. Consider dorms, studios and lofts.
Breakfast bars work in just about any small place, minus dorms and single rooms. If you prefer a breakfast bar, you may prefer a chic way to divide up space and create your own eating area in a studio apartment. Or you may simply be at a loss for much surrounding space.
Since many breakfast bars allow you to tuck the stools underneath, thereby saving you floor space, you may simply have a strong desire for a breakfast bar because of that single advantage alone. Or you may only have a certain amount of horizontal space in your home but lack the room to furnish something that’s too deep. Hence, you lean toward the long and narrow breakfast bar to accommodate your needs.
Basic dining tables are exactly what they sound like. Your average dining table. Here you save space by choosing tables of smaller sizes. You’re almost gauranteed something small if you go seek out pub tables, bistro tables and cafe tables. However, height is a factor here. With many of these tables, you’ll end up with tables that are bar height or counter height rather than dining height.
Generally bar height tables are around 10″ taller than your average dining tables and counter height tables are around 2-5″ taller. So you may have to comprimise on height in order to save space if any of the above mentioned tables catch your interest.
What Shape Should You Choose?
When it comes to basic dining tables, there may be some concern regarding which shape to choose. In most cases it probably won’t matter, but if you have extra guests over frequently and it’s important that you squeeze as many people at the table as possible, round is said to be the best choice.
Otherwise under normal circumstances shape isn’t really important.
What Size Should You Choose?
Certain dining tables come in “small packages.” To name a few: bistro or pub, bar and cafe tables tend to start off relatively small. If you look at the table below, you’ll notice that many of these tables start off at 24 in. in width or depth. Ideally, this tends to be a great size to start with.
Many small homes can only allow so much space so it’s common for small home dwellers to seek out dining tables around 24-30″ in. in width, length or diameter.
However, take note that these tables–particulary bar, bisto and pub tables–tend to be taller than the standard dining table (see height below).
| Standard Dimensions | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Style of Table | Width/Depth | Length | Height |
| Bar Table | 24 – 42″ | 24 – 42″ | 40 – 42″ |
| Pub Table | 24 – 42″ | 24 – 42″ | 34 – 36″ |
| Cafe Table | 32 – 48″ | 36 – 48″ | 28 – 30″ |
| Dining Table | 36 – 72″ | 36 – 72″ | 28 – 30″ |
| Dining Table, Rectangular | 36 – 42″ | 60 – 80″ | 28 – 30″ |
Ultimately you’ll find that bar tables are great for you if you have a lot of horizontal space, but you don’t want something too deep. Basically they’re long and somewhat narrow.
Pub or bistro, bar and cafe tables will work great for you if you want something that looks like a standard dining table, yet is relatively small.
Standard dining tables are also an option. You may just wish to cast your interest on the small end of the dimensions if you want to purchase a standard dining table.
How Many People Can You Seat?
When it comes to size there are standard dimensions that you can use to understand how many people you can seat at a certain size table:
| Seating Specifications | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| # of People | Rectangular Table | Square Table | Round Table |
| 2 | 22 – 28 x 28 – 32″ | 24 – 30″ | 24 – 30″ |
| 4 | 28 – 36″ x 44 – 52″ | 32 – 42″ | 32 – 48″ |
| 6 | 34 – 42″ x 60 – 72″ | 48 – 52″ | 48 – 54″ |
| 8 | 34 – 42″ x 72 – 90″ | 52 – 54″ | 60 – 72″ |
| 10 | 42 – 48″ x 90 – 108″ | 56 – 62″ | 72 – 84″ |
Clearly seating 2-4 people won’t demand too much space or a table too large. However, if you need to seat a higher amount than 2-4 people, you may wish to look beyond the dining tables listed below and concentrate on gateleg tables, drop leaf tables and other varieties mentioned in this guide.
How to Use Seating Guidelines for Maximum Comfort
Keep in mind you don’t have to follow these seating guidelines verbatim. However, they can be of use to you if you want to get an idea of how much room should be left for each person at a table, and how to place a table in your home based on maximum comfort.
Seating Guidelines
- Always ensure there is sufficient room for everybody to sit comfortably at the table, although less space is going to be required for each person if the table is primarily being used to hold drink or finger foods. Basically, as a rule-of-thumb, for each person you should allow 28 to 32 inches of table space.
- For each person’s chair, it’s a good idea to allow 24 to 28 inches. The space between each person’s chairs should be 4 to 6 inches.
- These guidelines allow for each person’s optimum comfort. When it comes to the amount of space behind each person’s chair and the wall or next row of seating, the most appropriate measurement is, at the very minimum, 24 to 26 inches.
- Leg room is another consideration and one that probably often gets forgotten: guests won’t thank you for banging their shins on a table leg or against another obstacle – especially if it results in bruises. For the most comfortable leg room, ensure there is between 12 to 14 inches of depth below the table. Another matter that needs to be considered when seating people around a table is that chairs need to be pulled in and out.
- In order to ensure this is feasible, there should be between 30 to 36 inches allowed beyond a dining room table. Arms on chairs are another consideration that needs to be addressed: whilst dining chairs with arms, such as the traditional style carver chairs, always look attractive, you do need to ensure these chairs are able to slide beneath the table easily: an extra 2 inches per seat is also required to take account of the extra space required by the chair arms.
What Dining Table is Right For You?
There are really only several types of dining arrangements. Temporary, semi-permanent and permanent. So it’s clear you’re looking for a dining table that will fit one of these experiences. It’s a good idea to cover each dining arrangement in order to be certain others another arrangement won’t suit you better.
Temporary dining is exactly what it sounds like. It’s temporary. It will likely suit you if you live in a dorm, studio apartment, or you have some other single-room living experience in which you would like to sit at a dining table but can’t really afford the space to accommodate the table permanently. Simply put, you’re looking for a dining table you can sit at each day and stow away when you no longer need it.
Tables you’ll want to focus your attention on are wall-mounted tables, folding tables, kitchen carts and TV trays. They’ll suit your temporary needs by rendering themselves invisible and out of the way when you don’t need them. You can stow them away easily by simply storing them in a closet, behind a door or sliding them behind a sofa.
Semi-permanent dining is a go-between between temporary and permanent dining. It will likely suit you if you can afford space for a dining table but only a small portion.
Semi-permanent dining will usually suit you if you live in a dorm, studio, single room or small apartment in which you either don’t want to use the dining area as dining space or can’t afford the usual amount of space to furnish a dining table. Simply put, you’re looking for a dining table that converts so that you can downsize and upsize when you need to.
Tables that will be of interest to you are gateleg tables, convertible tables and wall-mounted tables.
Permanent dining is also exactly what it sounds like. It’s permanent. It will likely suit you if you live in a small place that has a dining area. You may have what’s considered a decent amount of space, yet you don’t have the luxury of getting something too big. You’re looking for an option that suits the design of your room. Basically shape and size is the most important factor but not necessarily convertibility or invisibility.
Tables you’ll want to concentrate on are basic dining tables, breakfast bars, cafe tables, pub tables or bistro tables.
You can also view the chart below for an at-a-glance understanding on what tables work for your preferred dining arrangement.
| Dining Arrangement | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Temporary | Folding | Wall-Mounted | Kitchen Carts |
| Semi-Permenant | Convertible | Gateleg | Wall-Mounted |
| Permanent | Drop-leaf | Breakfast | Pub |
Where to Buy
Although this is not a comprehensive list of every dining table available on the market, we’ve created a list of ones we thought might be of interest to you.
You can use it as your starting point and expand your interests from there if the list below doesn’t suit your needs.
Categories: Buying Guides • Guides
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