How Many People Can Sit at a Dining Table?

Posted on Jun 12, 2009 by Buzz Kaplan

Today Decorati Contributing Antiques Editor Buzz Kaplan of The Buzz on Antiques, provides the essential guide for dining table seating.

I’m glad this question wasn’t “How many angels can sit on the head of a pin?” Because I have no idea so help me God.

But I do know my dining tables, antique or otherwise. And when a client is looking at a particular table, they invariably ask, “Can this table fit ten people?” Here’s how you answer that question.

FIRST, it depends on the shape of the table and I realize there are a million different variations on this:

Just to keep it simple, let’s stick with two basic shapes: rectangular (No. 4 above) and round (No. 11 above).

SECOND, depends how super-sized your guests’ behinds are…oh, never mind, we’ll just go with table shape.

Shown above, a 19th century mahogany and brass inlaid neoclassical dining table that sits 12 people very comfortably.

The general rule is that people need about 24 inches of width for dining table seating, but banquet room chairs will often work at 21 inches or even less (I’ve seen them at hotels measuring 17 1/2″ wide and if you use chairs like this then 12 sardines can sit at a 6 foot round table).

So here are some general seating rules:

• If rectangular and the table length is 5 feet, sits 4-6 comfortably; if it’s 5 feet round, up to 8 people comfortably;
• If rectangular and the table length is 6 feet, sits 6-8 comfortably; if it’s 6 feet round, up to 10 people comfortably (if you use banquet chairs, you can squeeze 12 people);
• If rectangular and the table length is 7 feet, sits 8 very comfortably; if it’s 7 feet round, 9-11 people comfortably;
• If rectangular and the table length is 8 feet, sits 8 very comfortably; if it’s 8 feet round, up to 12 people comfortably;
• If rectangular and the table length is 9 feet, sits 10 comfortably; if it’s 9 feet round, up to 14 people comfortably;• If rectangular and the table length is 10 feet, sits 10 comfortably; if it’s 10 feet round, up to 15 people comfortably;
• If rectangular and the table length is 11 feet, sits 10 very comfortably and 12 comfortably; if you have a round table this big, you’re in the UN General Assembly Room and good luck;
• If rectangular and the table length is 12 feet, sits up to 12 very comfortably and up to 14 with narrower chairs;
• If rectangular and the table length is 13 feet, sits 12-14 comfortably;
• If rectangular and the table length is 14-15 feet, sits 14 very comfortably and 16 if need be;
• If rectangular and the table length is 16 feet, sits 16 very comfortably and 18 if need be.

Shown below, a parquetry walnut and satinwood dining table (with later leaves) that measures up to 187 1/2″ (about 15 1/2 feet) long and can sit 14 people very comfortably and 16 if need be:

Other little known dining table factoids that you might find useful:

• The maximum height that you’d want for a dining table is 31″ (30″ high for a dining table is about average)
• A critical measurement, especially with antique dining tables that have very big aprons is that you need at least 25 3/4″ for roomy leg clearance and to cross your legs, you need 30″ for a person 5′9″ tall–generally, you don’t have antique tables with clearance to cross legs and that’s fine
• A light fixture over a dining table should hang between 28-32″ from the top of the table and the bottom of the fixture

Ok, Mr. Smarty Pants, if you’re so smart then what’s a 12-sided table called? Honestly, I had no clue until we got one in and had to look it up. It’s called dodecagonal and here it is:

20 comments

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Patrice on Jun 13, 2009, 12:07 am:
Great post! I realized that a round table sits more number of person than a rectangular table.
Jenny Shields on Jun 14, 2009, 12:59 pm:
Buzz’s posts are really englihtening and pretty funny as well.

I wish he’d write a book or something about all of his tips and knowledge. Ths latest “course” in calculating how many people can squeeze in at dining tables is great. I never can remember so this is a good refresher. In fact, I alredy printed it out for my file “DR Tables”. More Buzz, more info please!

Jenny
Buzz Kaplan on Jun 14, 2009, 1:26 pm:
I’ve been gardening (it’s Sunday!) and decided to take a break and check in on Decorati.

Thanks Patrice and Jenny for the nice comments.

I’m happy to say that Decorati has made me a Contributing Antiques Editor (thanks Shane and the Decorati Editorial Board). That means I’ll be submitting The Buzz on Antiques posts WEEKLY from now on. So I have to laugh that Jenny asked for more “Buzz”. What do they say, “Be careful what you wish for” because now you may wind up an “antique geek” like me! Which is actually really fun (although it can be kind of expensive).

By the way, if you love antiques and vintage pieces, take a look at the guest blog by Donna Sapolin on “Hollywood Regency Style”. It’s really interesting and educational.

Buzz
Jeff Holt on Jun 15, 2009, 10:25 am:
I heart Buzz…
How wonderfully informative!
Holly on Jun 15, 2009, 10:26 am:
Buzz,

Thank you for the great information about Dining Room seating. I find that so many times clients fall in love with a table that is not suitable for their lifestyle-or, it is just plain ugly and I need some back up info to guide them in the right direction. These facts will definitely help with making the right decision!

Bon Appetit!

Holly
Lisa on Jun 15, 2009, 10:43 am:
Really great article Buzz. Super informative, I printed a copy to keep in our files.
One suggestion to Decorati - could you make it easier to print these articles? Thanks
Dan Zelen on Jun 15, 2009, 10:55 am:
Hey Buzz,

A great post once again and the “factoids” are a nice touch of additional detail that makes you …incredible!

Thank you,
Dan.
Claudio Mariani on Jun 15, 2009, 11:00 am:
You are such a pleasure to work with and I love that you’re sharing your knowledge with our clients and other designers through Decorati Access. Keep up the great work (both here and online). P.S. I already knew how many people are seated at tables but it was fun to read it too.

Claudio
Rhonda Shipley on Jun 15, 2009, 12:26 pm:
Love the commentary and factoids. Now the proud owner of a home furnishings store, with your Decorati contributing articles I am able to train and inform my staff on the antiques we are selling. We sound so knowledgeable now. Keep it coming. Web site in the works. Maybe you could come to the shop one day and give out your factoids in person. We do not have the fine antiques that you have at C. Mariani, but we do have some interesting “finds”. My best to you and your success with Decorati. They are lucky to have you. Knowledge is a priceless commodity.~Rhonda Shipley, Shipley Interiors and Studiolo in San Anselmo, CA.
Megan Oien on Jun 15, 2009, 2:00 pm:
This is some VERY useful information! I would have thought that a rectangular table would have fit more people than a circle!
Buzz on Jun 15, 2009, 2:50 pm:
Thanks all. I’m glad you found this post useful–Buzz
Damien on Jun 15, 2009, 10:13 pm:
Buzz, Spaciously seated dinner guests everywhere may soon owe you a debt of gratitude. We thank you, too–not only are you the most knowledgable man in the biz, but you share your knowledge with such a glorious dose of wit! Big thanks! -Damien, James Swan & Co., Beverly Hills
Chris on Jun 16, 2009, 11:48 am:
Life saver. Greatly appreciated.

Thanks Buzz
Nicolette on Jun 16, 2009, 2:29 pm:
So does this mean dining table should be low? My dining table is not high, but it is not low either. Maybe it is around the maximum height. So how do you know when the dining table is too high?

Nicolette
http://www.furnitureanddesignideas.com
Susan @ Marla Sher Design on Jun 17, 2009, 9:33 am:
Thanks Buzz. It’s always a question that comes up with clients. It’s great to have a concise reference tool. And as always, you do it with style and panache!
- Susan Peck, Marla Sher Design
Charlotte Crystal on Jun 17, 2009, 11:40 am:
Thank you for such a concise and informative and fun submission! Keep up the good work!
Michael Siniscal on Jun 17, 2009, 4:28 pm:
Very useful info now at my fingertips in my bookmarks thanks to you Buzz.
RK on Jun 19, 2009, 3:02 pm:
dodecoganal… like I”m going to use THAT word at my next cocktail party… unless, Buzz, you’re there of course. I liked that you got technical here! an article packed tight like 12 chairs on a six foot table. and aunt suzie’s occupying two of them.
Heather Hilliard on Jun 20, 2009, 10:13 am:
Perfect timing…I was just sketching kitchen table shapes and syles for a potential client meeting and I remembered you posted information on this topic last week. I just glanced through my recent emails and boom, there was your lesson on dining tables. Keep it up Buzz!
Heather
KonstantinMiller on Jul 6, 2009, 10:29 am:
Hi! I like your srticle and I would like very much to read some more information on this issue. Will you post some more?