Dining room’s size, shape influences table selection

DEAR GAIL: We’re looking at buying a new dining set. When we moved in, we brought the one we’ve had for years and it really never fit right in the room. Is there anything that we should consider this time? We’d like to seat as many as possible but don’t know the shape or size we should look for. — Callie D.

DEAR CALLIE: There are a lot of things to consider when buying a new piece of furniture, so it’s always best to know your options for any large purchases before you start shopping.

In a dining room, start by looking at the shape of the room; it will help direct you to the shape of the table. In a square room, you can use either a round or square table. Round tables are nice as they allow everyone to talk to each other instead of having to look around the person they’re sitting next to. Round tables also seat more people than square ones. Plus, if you have a pedestal base, no one gets stuck with the leg when you bring in an extra chair.

In a rectangular room, a rectangular or oval table works best. If you happen to have a large rectangular room, you also can do something very different by using two round tables. If the room is narrow, I would suggest an oval to cut the hard narrow lines of the room.

The size of the room will determine the maximum size you should consider for your table. I have listed some table sizes and the minimum room that is needed to accommodate each one. But, there are some other things to ask yourself: Are you looking for a table to extend for special occasions? Will your room be able to accommodate that maximum size?

If you will only extend the table on occasion, I would suggest that you go with a smaller table that will properly fit in the room for everyday use versus overcrowding the room. If you want to extend the table, keep in mind that you won’t be able to get a glass or solid-top table. I know that sounds like very common sense and it shouldn’t even need to be mentioned, but the simplest things get forgotten when we’re shopping and get excited about a piece we’ve seen. As with all design, form follows function.

Now that you have your shape and size, consider the base. All the different shapes can handle the same type of bases, but there are pros and cons with each.

A pedestal base is nice as it does allow for more seating, but you have to be careful with the diameter of the base and how much leg room you’ll have when sitting at the table. I like to have at least 30 inches to 36 inches from my knees to the back of the chair. (Measure this sitting at the table.) There is nothing worse then pulling your chair up to the table and hitting your knees against the base.

Also with a pedestal, keep in mind that we are all guilty of putting our feet up on the base.

One last comment about a pedestal is that it also must be big enough to safely hold the top. This is extremely important with a glass top as you have no way of securing the top to the base as you do with a solid top. With a glass top, you also have to be aware of the tipping factor. If the top is not heavy enough and the base is not the proper size, there is a chance of tipping the top if someone leans on one side.

A leg base also works on all shapes. The main disadvantage with a leg base is that you really can’t pull up that extra chair. It’s not very comfortable to sit and eat dinner with your legs scrunched up on one side or the other of the leg, or not being able to pull your chair close enough to the table if you don’t want to split your legs on each side of the leg.

Also, keep in mind that the size of your chair and your base style will change your seating capacity. Your room also will need to be larger if you are placing any other pieces in the room.

This will give you a start. Now, with this information in hand, you’re ready to start shopping.

Gail Mayhugh, owner of GMJ Interiors, is a professional interior designer and author of a book on the subject. Questions may be sent by e-mail to: gail@gmjinteriors.com. Or, mail to: 7380 S. Eastern Ave., No. 124-272, Las Vegas, NV 89123. Her Web address is: www.GMJinteriors.com.