The perfect space to entertain guests, a study area, and the gathering place for your family meals, we understand that the dining room is the heart of your home. Designing this space is exciting, but it can also feel a little daunting, especially when there is so much to consider.
How many people do you want to seat? What shape table should you go for? Do you want to create a cosy feel or keep things open and spacious? How will people move around the room comfortably?
To make things easier, we have put together a simple measurement guide to help you plan your layout before making any purchases, so your dining area has the style and functionality that you need. .
Your dining room shape and measurements
Oliver dining set | @home_bylouise
Whether you’re making new additions, replacing existing pieces, or designing your dining room from scratch, the first step is to measure your room.
Not all dining rooms come in a neat rectangle, so it’s worth mapping the room out on paper or digitally. Include walls, walkways, radiators, windows, and any permanent furniture so you can visualise how the space will work. Alternatively, using masking tape, or cardboard if the room is carpeted, is a great way to plan placement and see how your furniture will feel in the room before you commit.
When measuring, don’t just focus on the room’s size. Think about how you will use it. Have you left enough space for doors and drawers to open? Can guests push their chairs back easily? Is there room to walk behind chairs when they’re pulled out?
To ensure a welcoming entry into your dining area, we recommend leaving around 1.2m² of clear floor space from the doorway, where possible.
If you are starting fresh and are unsure what pieces will work best, take a look at what you should consider when buying dining room furniture.
Leave enough room for walkways and traffic flow
Durham dining table set | @_rachome_
Comfortable movement is one of the most important parts of dining room planning, especially when you are hosting guests or when the room doubles up as a walkway through to other spaces.
As a general rule, aim for:
- A minimum of 75cm of space around the dining table for seating and movement
- Ideally 100 to 120cm in higher-traffic areas, such as routes to the kitchen, doors, or storage furniture
This ensures guests will not need to squeeze behind seated diners, and people can move around the room without disrupting conversations or meals. It also makes everyday use, like clearing plates or setting the table, much easier.
Leave enough space for furniture and storage
Islington dining table set | Islington sideboard | @claire
Storage pieces like sideboards, dressers, and display cabinets can elevate your dining room by adding both style and practicality, but they do need enough room to function properly. When planning your layout, allow 80 to 120cm of space in front of drawers and dressers, so they can open comfortably and you can access what’s inside without feeling cramped.
It’s also worth considering height. Taller storage pieces can make a statement, but in smaller rooms, they may feel heavier visually. Lower sideboards can help the space feel lighter and more balanced, particularly in open-plan dining areas where you want the room to stay airy and uncluttered.
Choosing the right size dining table
Oaklee dining table set | @jayjay
When choosing your dining table, think about how it will sit in relation to the rest of the room. There is nothing worse than having to squeeze past furniture to get seated or to walk through the space, so leaving enough room around the table is key.
So, how do you measure a dining table? Your table size will ultimately depend on the space you have. Simply measure your room and subtract the space you will need around the table, which is around 70 to 90cm on each side. This will give you a guide for the maximum table footprint your dining room can accommodate, but remember to factor in other furniture, such as dressers and sideboards.
Once you have worked out your usable space, you can start planning how many place settings your room will comfortably allow.
For more on specific table sizes, explore our article on how to choose the right size dining table.
Space saving extendable dining tables
Trento dining table | @home.on.the.glade
If your dining room needs to work for both everyday meals and special occasions, an extendable dining table is an ideal solution. It helps keep the room feeling open and spacious day to day, while giving you the option to expand when you need extra seats for entertaining, studying, or even craft sessions.
When measuring for an extendable table, always check the dimensions in both its closed and fully extended positions. Make sure there is still enough clearance for chairs, and that the table will not obstruct doorways, walkways, or cabinets once extended. For the best layout, position the table so it extends into a clear area of the room and does not interrupt main routes through the space.
How should your table look?
Henley dining table | @thejoyfulchapter
It’s not just measurements that matter. The style and shape of your table play a big role in how the room feels.
If you are working with a smaller space, bear in mind that your table should be no narrower than 90cm to allow for comfortable place settings. If you’re concerned about space, it’s worth exploring a round dining table or positioning the table against a wall so you can comfortably use three sides.
You will also want to consider the visual weight. A chunky, rustic dining table may make a small room feel overcrowded, while a large space can overwhelm a small square table.
Don’t forget the atmosphere, too. Larger tables can make intimate conversation more difficult, so consider whether you want the room to feel cosy and close, or open and spacious.
How to measure your dining room chairs
Kingham chairs | Rushmere dining table | @the_house_with_the_whitestairs
When it comes to choosing dining chairs, there are a few practical elements to keep in mind. If you choose a dining set, the spacing between the table and chairs has already been planned for you. If you are mixing and matching, you will need to check the chair depth and width, as well as the space needed for place settings and movement.
Standard dining table heights are typically between 75 and 80cm. For the ideal seating experience, allow 26 to 30cm between the seat and the top of the dining table, so guests can sit comfortably. You may need a little more space if you choose armchairs, to allow armrests to sit under the tabletop.
Finding the right chair spacing
Oaklee dining table set | @foxglove_redrow
So, how do you position your dining chairs? We recommend allowing:
- 60 to 80cm width per place setting for comfortable elbow room
- At least 38cm depth per place setting
- Around 13cm between place settings across from each other, to create enough space for dishes, glasses, and shared serving plates
If you’re unsure of how many people your table will seat, take a look at our dining table size guide to find out which Oak Furnitureland pieces work best for your dining room and layout.
Consider benches as well as dining chairs
Maine dining table set | @2flats1house
If you have a smaller dining room or want to create a more relaxed look, benches can be a great alternative to chairs. Because they don’t require individual spacing between seats, you can often accommodate more guests on a bench while taking up a similar footprint to chairs. They are also a practical option if you want to free up floor space when not in use, as many benches can be tucked neatly under the table.
Benches work particularly well in compact dining rooms, especially when used as corner seating, where they help make the most of available space. Mixing benches with dining chairs can also add balance to the room and create a more casual, welcoming dining area.
Adding accessories to your dining room
Bentley dining table | Bentley bench | Kingham chairs | Maze rug
Accessories can completely transform the look and feel of your dining room, and a few key measurements can help everything sit perfectly.
A dining room rug can add texture and depth, but it needs to be sized correctly. When placing a rug under your dining table, ensure you leave at least 60cm on each side of the table, so chairs can be pulled out smoothly without catching on the edge. It is also a good idea to match the shape of the rug to the shape of the table, especially if your table is round.
When measuring your dining room, don’t forget about lighting. If you are planning a statement chandelier or pendant light above the table, consider proportions carefully. Leave roughly 75 to 85cm between the tabletop and the light fitting, and ensure the diameter and shape of the fitting don’t overwhelm the table.
How to get your furniture into the dining room
Oaklee dining table set | @myscottishhomebytheclyde
Once you have worked out what will fit in the room, the final step is making sure you can actually get it into the space.
Measure the hallways and doorways your furniture will need to pass through, and don’t forget to consider tight corners or staircases. If your dining room is not on the ground floor, measure stair clearance or lift dimensions too. We have a handy, printable “Will It Fit” guide to help you measure up.
Do note that some of our furniture is delivered fully assembled, so you will need to consider the full dimensions of each piece when assessing access to your chosen room.
You should now be ready to get creative with the configuration and styling of your dining space. Shop our wide range of dining room furniture to find the perfect pieces for you and your home.
And remember to share your dreamy dining updates with us on Instagram and TikTok and tag #OakFurnitureland #GrowYourHome in your posts.
