Designer Advice — Designers
How to Pick a Table
Will that beautiful table you saw in our showroom fit in your kitchen? Naturally it depends on your kitchen…but below are some average dimensions for many different types of tables. Of course, if you like the table that much, you could build around it; but that’s not very practical.
| Type of Table | Height | Length | Width/Depth |
| Coffee, round | 15"-17" | (30"-36" diameter) | --- |
| Coffee, rectangular | 15"-17" | 36"-60" | 18"-24" |
| Console | 28" | 48"-54" | 16"-18" |
| Dining, rectangular | 28"-30" | 60"-80" | 36"-42" |
| Dining, round | 28"-30" | (40" min. diameter) | --- |
| End | 18"-24" | 24"-28" | 18"-20" |
| Hallway/entry | 34"-36" | 36"-72" | 16"-20" |
| Night | 16"-25" | 18"-28" | 16"-22" |
Table Seating Specifications
Determining Table Size
For square or rectangular dining tables, allow 24" of elbow room width per person.
For round tables, allow 26" width per person for a table seating 3 to 6 people and 24" for a table seating 6 or more people.
Add 2" to all of the above figures if armchairs will be used.
Subtract 2" for snug seating.
Selecting a Round Table
The circumference of a round table equals the width per person times the total number of seating spaces and the diameter equals the circumference divided by 3.14. I think I just heard you say, “Huh?” Well, for example, in designing a table to comfortably seat 8 people using chairs without arm supports, the circumference equals 8 times 24 inches width per person (192 inches) and the diameter equals 192/3.14 or 61 inches. If 22" of width were allocated per person, the resultant table diameter would be about 56") Get it?
How to Pick a Chair
In order to know how to pick a chair, it is fair to say that chair dimensions can vary drastically from design to design, especially considering the vast style options available. For instance the seat height on a bar stool can vary greatly from a standard kitchen chair. For the most part though, it is fair to assume the following typical chair dimensions.
- Seat width: 16"-20"
- Seat depth: 15"-18"
- Seat height from floor: 18"-20"
- Armrest height (full): 8”
- Armrest width: 2"
- Average Set back of armrest from front: 2"-3"
- Seat back height: 16"-20"
Specifications for Different Types of Seats
(Listed dimensions are based on average-sized adults).
Desk Chair: Most specifications for a dining chair apply here.
Occasional Chair: Should provide a more relaxed, reclining position than a dining chair - seat height is lower (about 16"). Armrests are recommended for easy in/out and they average 5" to 8" in height and 2" to 4" in width.
Sofa/Loveseat: The seat height ranges from 16" to 18”. The seat back typically rises 15" to 18" above the seat. Armrests generally protrude 4" to 8" above seat. The overall width of a loveseat is about 56" to 60" - 24" per person, plus 4" to 6" for each armrest. A full-size sofa measures about 90" in overall width.
Bar Stool: In general, the seat of a bar stool should be 10" to 15" below the top surface of the bar. For a normal bar that is 42" high, a seat height of 30" to 32"is standard. The seat back is typically 10" to 14" above the seat. The seat width ranges from 15" to 18" and the seat depth ranges from 12" to 16" (16" to 17" diameter if the seat is round). A stretcher 18" below the seat provides a comfortable resting spot for the occupant's feet.
Counter Stool: Most specifications for a bar stool apply here, except that for a standard breakfast island/counter that is 36” high, a seat height of 24” to 26” is standard.
