There are different shapes of tables— square, and circle, among others—but there’s no doubt that the most common choice for dining tables is a rectangular table. And why not? A rectangular table can accommodate the highest number of people. This makes it a great choice if you are having a party or a large gathering.
A rectangular table is also considered highly efficient compared with other table shapes. It can seat as few as two people to as many as a dozen individuals. It’s not a shocker at all that rectangular tables are the primary choice in most restaurants, especially those that have to be flexible enough to hold small parties and large gatherings.
Now, you may be shopping for a rectangular table in preparation for your next house party. But you may be at a loss as to its size. Don’t worry, as we have got you covered on the standard rectangle table sizes.
Standard Rectangular Table Sizes
Rectangular tables take up a lot of space in a room, but that’s one price to pay, so to speak, for it being able to accommodate a high number of individuals. On the other hand, a round-sized table is a more space-efficient option compared to both rectangular and square tables due to the lack of corners. This results in a smaller footprint.
2-Seat Rectangular Table Sizes
If you’re just living with a family member or a loved one, you can get a small rectangular table for two. This would usually have a width of 31 inches and a length of 40 inches, enough for you and your housemate to comfortably share a meal or two.
4-6 Seat Rectangular Table Sizes
A narrow rectangular table is your best choice if you have a narrow dining room. Its width may range from 36 to 40 inches. Usually, a narrow rectangular table is 48 to 60 inches long and enough to comfortably accommodate up to four people.
But if you can find a longer one at 60 inches, then you can even squeeze one to two more people. You can have four diners sit on two opposite sides while the two others sit at each end of the table.
8-Seat Rectangular Table Sizes
If you need more space for around eight people, then you can get one that’s up to 78 inches long with a width of around 31 inches. You can also find a long and narrow rectangular table for this purpose. For this arrangement, you can even have the luxury of not having to sit two diners at the head and foot of the table.
10-Seat Rectangular Table Sizes
But how about sitting ten people? Maybe you’re having a big party, and you’re expecting many guests. What’s the minimum length of a rectangular table that you should be getting?
You can settle for a table that’s at least 96 inches long and 42 inches wide. Four diners will be seated on both sides, while one will be at the foot and the other at the head of the table. If you want to sit ten people with five of them side-by-side, you must get a rectangular table that’s 120 inches long.
12-Seat Rectangular Table Sizes
A table that’s 120 inches long and at least 40 inches wide would have enough room to sit up to 12 people. Ten people will be seated, with five on both sides, while the two are seated at the foot and head.
14-Seat Rectangular Table Sizes
A longer table at 144 inches can accommodate 14 people—12 at the sides and 2 at either end.
Of course, you’d want your guests to be comfortable, too, and not to be placed too close to each other. Keep in mind that the rule of thumb is to allow at least 24 inches of space per seat at a dining table.
Rectangular Table Clearance
There should be enough space between a table and a wall. You should give a distance of at least 36 inches from the edge of the table to a nearby wall or other objects near it.
For maximum flexibility and movement, allow a clearance of 48 inches from the edge of the table to a wall.
Things to Consider in Shopping for a Rectangular Table
Now that you have an idea of the different sizes of rectangular tables, you may be itching to buy one for your home or even a restaurant. But before you do so, you must keep in mind several considerations in choosing a rectangle table.
Space is, without a doubt, the most important consideration. You’d want the rectangular table to fit in the space that you have so that your guests won’t be squeezed in.
And you shouldn’t only be concerned with your guest when they are seated. They must also have enough space to slide their chair, get out of them, and walk around the room. Thus, as mentioned earlier, a narrow dining table is highly recommended if you have a narrow dining area.
Another consideration is the distance between the tabletop and the chair seat. There must be enough space between the lap of your guests and the table. You don’t want their legs to wedge in sans enough clearance. The good news is that most dining table sets in the market have proper clearance.
Aside from spacing and dimensions, you should also consider the material from which the table is made. Solid wood is considered the best material for a table because it is sturdy and durable. It is also easy to repair, but the problem is that it can be expensive. Other less expensive options are pine, mango, and acacia.
Conclusion
The rectangle is the most popular shape of a dining table. Therefore, you can find plenty of variations in terms of styles and sizes. As mentioned in this article, a rectangular table is also the most space-efficient because it can seat as few as two people and as many as 14 individuals.
Knowing the right size of rectangular table for your home should help guide you in buying the right type of table for your dining room.
