The current average size of a dining room in the US is 14 feet x 16 feet- 200 square feet. With this being said, who is average anymore? We live in a world that has thrown out much of the standards that determine room sizes and formalities. Children and parents alike are grabbing finger food and lattes on their way to work and school. Lunch is almost always consumed away from the nest and, well, dinner is wedged in between after school activities, book club or late night meetings.
“How big should a dining room be?” is best answered by determining who you are and what you want out of your dining experience. What might work for you may not work for your neighbor with the exact same floor plan. Or, maybe you are building a home and trying to decide if the dining room size will effect the resale price. Let’s explore dining room styles and sizes to get a better idea of what might work best for you.
The Traditionalist
We all know someone, or maybe are someone that has hung onto their wedding china over the years, displaying it proudly in a beautiful buffet, sideboard or china cabinet- happily bringing it out for holidays, birthdays and special occasions and happily hand washing it after the merry goers have left. If there isn’t a special occasion, just having a formal dining room with all the accoutrements is the special occasion. There is something to be said for the comfort of tradition and the warmth of a large, well stocked dining room.
The Entertainer
Even though the entertainer may be mistaken for the traditionalist, an entertainer’s key focus will most likely be on the entertainment and not the hours of prep work or clean up. An entertainer’s dining room almost always isn’t the focal point for the party. It is a key element, but only as part of a bigger kitchen/dining room/family room/living room picture. In this case, it may be less of a question of “how big should a dining room be?” and more of how many people do I need to fit in a specific space to keep the flow of the party going?
The Modern Family
Most of us grew up with family traditions and vowed to keep them going throughout the generations. The modern family is just that. We are modern. We have many outside influences that our ancestors did not face. However, we still love the thought of a Sunday meal at the dining room table, a holiday or birthday celebration. And, even though our dining room may sit empty for much of the year, we have the best of intentions to fill it with love and laughter on a regular.
The Single Professional
Your job is who you are. You love the idea of a formal dining room, but you don’t see yourself ever using it. Your nights and weekends are filled with dining out, sports dates and jet-setting. Nothing is tying you down, but you still like the idea of a dining room “space” and not just because your mother says you need one.
The One- Bedroom View of the Bay Newlyweds
You know who you are. You married your college sweetheart and began your lives together. Your focus is each other, the random friend or family visitor. Maybe there is a four legged baby in the picture, but no plans for a big family at this point. When you found your home, the importance of location was first and foremost. The last thing on your mind was, “How big should a dining room be?”. Your question may have been, “Do we even need a dining room?” But, now, you are feeling the pressure to throw the occasional dinner party and looking for something that will meet your current needs. No need to move as there are many options for adjustable table sizes that can be tucked away or minimized when not in use.
Having an identity crisis? Let’s talk turkey, ham or vegan…. Any way you slice it… size does matter.
If you have not been able to identify with any of our aforementioned dining demographics, it might be easier to determine the size of a dining room for you in a much more scientific way.
Just as most of us shop for a dining table due to the constraints of how large our dining room is, we can shop the size of the dining room determined by how many people normally sit at your dining room table.
A couple of rules to keep in mind
Each person should be allotted 24” – 28” of horizontal table edge per seat.
There should be a clearance of 36” to 42” of chair and walkway space between the table’s edge and the wall and/or other furnishings.
Industry standards for dining space vs. table size.
Remember that these are merely suggestions and exceptions need to be made for additional furnishings, plants or decor.
A small rectangular dining “nook” can accommodate 4-6 people in a 5 foot x 6 foot space.
A small square dining room table can accommodate 4 people in as little as a 9 foot x 10 foot space.
A small circular table can accommodate 4 people in as little as a 10 foot x 10 foot space.
A medium rectangular table, seating 6, can be placed comfortably in an 11 foot x 14 foot space.
A medium oval table seating 6 requires a 13 foot x 14 foot space.
A large rectangular or circular table seating 8 requires a room no smaller than 12 feet x 16 feet.
And, a large rectangular table seating 12 will require at least a 16 foot x 16 foot room.
We’ve given you a lot to chew on, but you’re not in this alone. Shopping for dining room furniture in the South San Francisco area, stop and see our friends at Giorgi Brothers!
Proudly serving Menlo Park, Los Gatos, Mill Valley, San Anselmo, Oakland, San Jose, San Mateo, Redwood City, Alameda, San Ramon, and the surrounding areas.