Redecorating can be so much fun! Picking up patterns, colors, and pieces and coordinating them into one final, cohesive look has always been one of my favorite hobbies. Of course, since I can’t afford to redecorate all the time, I have to make smart and careful choices when I do.
But that’s just it, isn’t it? Today, we have so many choices at our disposal that making up our minds is relatively tricky. Nothing is standard anymore, and we get to choose when it comes to everything, down to the very last detail. But does that pertain to dining room sets? Is there a standard dining room table and chair height and width?
Dining Chair Dimensions
My previous dining room got a bit dull and dreary, so I decided to get a new one. I needed a change in style, and I wanted something refreshing. So I went shopping and bought the most appealing design I could find.
However, when I brought it home, set it in my dining room, and seated my glorious behind in one of the chairs, I was unpleasantly surprised. It turns out, not all dining room tables and chairs are the same height!
The set I bought is still gorgeous, albeit a bit shorter than the previous one. I knew it would be a different width than my last setup since I went for a more narrow, minimalistic style this time around. However, I failed to calculate the difference in height.
Height
When it comes to standard chair height, there’s a bit of a standard range rather than one fixed height. Usually, dining chairs are between 18 and 23 or 24 and 26 inches tall.
As a proud ex-owner of a 26-inch chair set, it’s safe to say that I had some adjusting to do when I bought my new one. It turns out, the new one is an 18-inch set, which is quite a difference, you’ll admit.
So you can take your pick when it comes to height. If you’re wondering why the range is even necessary and whether you really need to bring a measuring tape with you to the furniture store, the answer is simple. The dining room chair height should depend solely on the height of the table.
Width
When it comes to the standard width, you’re looking at another range from 16 to 20 inches. Depending on what style you’re interested in, you might end up with a dining room chair that’s even wider than a broad 20-inch one, but that’s not exactly standard.
If you’re not buying a dining room set, then keep in mind that chairs and tables have to match both in height and width. Therefore, if you want wide chairs, you’ll also need a wide table. You can’t buy a tiny table and surround it with extra-large (and broad) chairs. Not only will that look silly, but it also won’t be practical.
Each person is supposed to have between 24 and 26 inches of dining space on the table and another 6 inches of elbow room. So when it comes to the perfect dining experience, each person should have 32 inches of space.
Thus, if you have your heart set on a high number of wide chairs, you’ll have to calculate whether the table you have (or the one you’re planning on buying) has enough room for that. Don’t forget that chair arms increase chair width by a couple of inches.
So if you don’t have a lot of space or you want to cram more chairs around your dinner table, go for the slimmer option and make sure the design is without chair arms!
Dining Table Dimensions
Dining room tables have a pretty standard height range of 28 to 30 inches. That’s the size of a regular dining room table. Counters, however, are slightly taller and range between 34 and 36 inches. Furthermore, bars are even taller, at between 40 and 42 inches.
Like I mentioned before, you’ll want to coordinate your table and chair height and width. Ideally, standard tables will have chairs that are 18 to 23 inches tall with a table that’s 28 to 30 inches tall. However, taller ones demand taller chairs or even stools — counters demand chairs that are around 26 inches tall, while bar stools need to be at least 28 inches in height.
How to Make the Best Choice
Now, you might be wondering which of the many options available is the best one for you. That’s quite easy to figure out, given that there are only two factors to consider — your taste and the available space.
Make sure to measure your dining room to see how much space you have available for the dining chair and table set. As I’ve mentioned, you can take your pick between a standard table, a counter table, and a bar. Most folks go for the regular dining table.
Now, just because it’s regular doesn’t mean you don’t have options. Take your pick between:
- square
- oval
- round
- rectangle
Square Dining Room Table
The most common table for small spaces, the 33 to 36-inch square table seats four people. Each square side has just enough room for one chair, and thus, one person. That provides a more intimate atmosphere. What’s more, everything is within reach on the table.
However, square tables aren’t the best choice for those of you who have a narrow dining room. They also aren’t ideal if you often have more than four people coming over for a meal.
Rectangle Dining Room Table
Rectangle tables are the most common ones in America and worldwide. They are versatile and can fill both a small and a big room just as well. What’s more, they are ideal for those “unique” architectural designs like long, narrow dining rooms or add-on dining rooms that used to be hallways.
Depending on how many people you want to sit, the standard rectangle table measurements are 36 inches x 48, 60, or 78 inches.
Round Dining Room Table
In my opinion, round tables are the most beautiful because they look unique and create a specific atmosphere.
However, they take up quite a bit of room, especially those that seat more than four of six people. The more places you need, the less likely it is that you should opt for a round table. Well, unless you have a massive dining room and nothing else to fill it with but the table.
Depending on how many people it sits, the round table can be anywhere between 36 and 72 inches in diameter.
Oval Dining Room Table
An oval table seems to be the best of both worlds. It has the versatility that the rectangle table has and the appeal of the round table. What’s more, you can often expand them, just like with rectangle tables, if you choose to do so.
The standard size of oval tables ranges from 36 inches x 44, 56, 72, and 84 inches.
A Few Parting Words
There you have it, folks! I tried to go over everything that you might need to know about the standard dining room table and chair height. Hopefully, this article has helped you make a stylish choice for your dining room!
Just remember — no matter which table and chair size you go for, make sure that you’re comfortable with both. The dining room is the place of family gatherings. So make sure that everyone is comfortable and content to spend time there.
