Seats, clearance and proportion — a calm method for getting it right the first time.
Count the seats honestly
Allow about 60 cm of table edge per person to sit comfortably. A 200 cm table seats six in daily use and eight when you pull up extra chairs for guests.
Leave clearance to move
You want around 90 cm between the table edge and the nearest wall or cabinet, so chairs pull out and people pass behind them without a shuffle.
Match the shape to the room
Round and oval tops soften tight or square rooms and seat people more sociably. Rectangles suit long rooms and make the most of a wall-side layout.
When in doubt, go custom
A made-to-order table can be built to the exact length your room allows. A few centimetres either way is the difference between a room that works and one that almost does.
