To create a space that's comfortable and functional, you need to make sure you have enough room to relax and maneuver. Use these guidelines to design a welcoming dining room. Need additional advice about measuring or product suggestions to fit your space? Our expert Design Associates are ready to help. The number of chairs you are able to place at the table is determined in multiple ways. In fact, two tables with the same size top might accommodate different numbers of people based on the leg placement and top If you are trying to maximize seating, consider a pedestal or trestle table or even benches as seating. eliminates the table legs and the chair legs bumping into each other. Width of place setting The general guideline is to allow 24 inches for every person at your table. However, using a tablecloth instead of individual placemats or bench seating instead of chairs allows for cozier seating. of your place settings is also a factor: multiple utensils and extra glassware at each seat requires more
space for each person. The minimum depth for a dining table is 30 inches. If you rely on your table for serving space, a depth of 36 inches or larger provides more room for platters, bowls, pitchers and centerpieces. Distance between the table and walls or furniture If possible, leave at least 36 inches between the edge of your table and other furniture or the wall. provides enough room for someone to walk behind the chairs while others are seated or to open a door on aIf you have room, 48 inches of space is ideal. Clearance under the table If you have dining chairs with arms, the space between the table and the floor will determine if the arms can tuck all the way under the table. Also consider the clearance for crossing your legs underneath the When choosing the size of the rug beneath your dining table, remember that the rug needs to accommodate all the legs of the chairs, even when the chairs are pushed away from the table (such as when guests get up from
At least 24 inches from the edge of the table to the edge of the rug will give you plenty of room and prevent chair legs from catching on the edge of the rug. When lighting your dining room, start with the overhead fixture. Choose a pendant lamp that creates a pool of light that is large enough and bright enough to ensure your guests are not sitting in shadows. pendant approximately 30 inches above the table to keep sight lines open.(Image credit: Jonathan's Calm & Considered Nest) Have you ever been in a home that just feels right? One where chairs pull out easily from the dining table and conversation can be made without shouting across the living room? Well there are reasons for that, and they probably have a lot to do with spacing and placement. Following a few simple guidelines will make a world of difference in the functionality of your home's layout. In general I believe that design rules are meant to be broken, but not when it comes to proper height and furniture spacing.
When these basics are out of whack even the most delicious assortment of furnishings will seem off. Let's run down the basics... (Image credit: Alexis Buryk) • Distance between the walls and the dining room table: Ideally, provide at least 36" between the dining table and any walls or other furniture on all sides to allow seats to slide out easily. • Distance between a dining table and an entrance: Provide around 48" between the table and an entrance to allow people to enter and exit the room with ease. • Vertical space between a dining chair and dining table: Chairs and chair arms should be able to slide under the table with ease. Leave about 7" between the chair arm and apron of the table. • Distance between chandelier and dining table: This is one of the more flexible topics. Low hanging lighting sets a more modern tone, but even so, it should never interfere with the ability to make conversation— no need to duck your face down to the table just to see your dinner guests.
However, a light hung too high will detract from the cohesive feel of a room as well. A good rule is to hang lighting between 24"-32" from the table. • Area rug and dining table: A rug should span about 36" wider on all sides of a dining table to allow chairs to pull out easily without catching. • Space between dining chairs: Ideally provide about 24" between chairs to prevent hitting elbows and to allow people to slide chairs in and out without any collisions or bruised knuckles. (Image credit: Taryn & Sanford's Unflappable Abode) • Distance between a sofa and coffee table: Allow around 18" between the table and sofa edge to give enough leg room but to be able to set down drinks or reach appetizers without straining. Coffee table heights vary greatly, but a good rule is to keep the table height and seat height within 4 inches of each other. • Distance between seating furniture: Aim to provide between 3.5' and 10' between seating options to help conversation flow without crowding a room.
• Side table and sofa height: In general, an end table should be approximately the same height as the arm of your sofa or chair. This allows guests to set down or reach for drinks without straining, and it also lends a more cohesive feel to the room. • Distance between tv and sofa: There should be about 7' between the tv and seating options. • Area rugs and furniture: Too often area rugs end up feeling like bath mats. To keep your area rug from feeling random, at least the front two legs of a sofa or chair should rest on the rug. • Distance between room-size rugs to walls: Allow about 24" between the wall and room-size rug in a large room, and between 12"- 18" in a smaller room. What other furniture spacing basics would you add to the list? Re-edited from a post originally published. Chairs and chair arms should be able to slide under your dining table with ease, but they also must have comfortable lap and leg room when guests are sitting in them. Most dining tables are about 30 inches high.
Chair height is generally 18 inches (from the floor to the seat).Rules of ThumbAllow 12 inches between the seat of your chair and your tabletop.Leave 7 inches between the chair arm and the bottom or apron of the table. The average dining chair width is 16-20 inches. If dining chairs are placed right next to each other with no space between them, people will bump elbows when eating. Because of that, add 6 inches to each chair's width to accommodate the spaces between them. You'll also want to make sure there is enough room behind your dining chairs for people to slide out easily. Rules of ThumbProvide each guest 24-30 inches at the dining table.For rectangular tables, add an extra 12 inches at each end for those seated at the head and foot of the table.Allow for at least 36 inches between the dining table and any walls or other furniture. Measure your chairs at their widest point. Depending on the style of the chair, this can mean either the seat or the chair back. Arms will usually add about 6 inches to the overall width of a single dining chair.