Round dining table: pros, cons and which diameter to choose
Is a round dining table right for you? See the pros and cons, ideal sizes and materials.
A round dining table puts everyone at the same distance from the centre: nobody sits at the head and everyone faces each other. It has drawbacks too, mainly above six people. Below you will find both, plus the diameter that suits the number of people at your table.
Quick guide
- Usually 4 to 6 at the table and a square or small room: choose round.
- Often 8 or more: choose oval or Danish oval, so the far side stays within talking distance.
- Want carefree daily use: choose ceramic. Want warmth and grain: choose oak or walnut.
Advantages of a round dining table
- Everyone joins the conversation. There is no head and no far end; every chair is the same distance from the centre.
- Easy to walk around. Without corners you pass the table easily, even in a narrow gap.
- No corners at a child's head height. Useful when small children run around the table.
- There is always room for one more chair. Everyone shifts a little and an extra guest fits.
- A round top fills a square room or a bay window calmly. A rectangle often leaves empty corners there.
Drawbacks of a round dining table
- Above six people the centre is out of reach. With a large diameter you can no longer reach the dish in the middle.
- A round top takes more floor space than you expect. Allow the diameter plus 800 mm of walking space on every side.
- It does not sit well against a wall. A round table looks best standing free in the room.
Which diameter for how many people
Allow 700 to 750 mm of table edge per person. The circumference of a round top is the diameter times 3.14, which gives this guide.
| Diameter | Circumference | People |
|---|---|---|
| Ø 1000 mm | 3140 mm | 4 |
| Ø 1200 mm | 3770 mm | 4 comfortably, 5 tight |
| Ø 1300 mm | 4080 mm | 5 |
| Ø 1400 mm | 4400 mm | 6 |
| Ø 1600 mm | 5030 mm | 6 comfortably, 7 tight |
Chairs with armrests need the generous end of that range. The standard table height is 760 mm. The configurator shows which diameters each material allows, and you set the size to the millimetre.
Torn between two sizes? Mark the circle on the floor with masking tape and put your chairs around it for a few days.
A round table in ceramic, oak or walnut
- Ceramic: resistant to heat, scratches, stains and UV, in 29 colours. Drawback: it is heavy, and a hard knock on the edge can chip it.
- Oak: 40 mm solid European oak, honey to golden brown, stained in your colour and finished with two coats of clear matt lacquer. Not suitable for outdoor use.
- Walnut: deep chocolate brown, 40 mm thick. Long exposure to direct sunlight can lighten walnut slightly; UV blockers in the lacquer limit this.
Which base under a round top
The round versions of Geneve, Lissabon, Praag and Riga fit under a round top. Riga comes in steel and in stainless steel; the choice between them is aesthetic. Steel is available in 10 standard colours and is welded in the workshop in Maasbree, the Netherlands.
All round models are on the page round dining tables made to measure.
Frequently asked questions
Which round dining table seats 6 people?
A diameter of 1400 mm. That gives about 4400 mm of table edge, enough for six chairs at 700 to 750 mm each.
How many people fit at a 1200 mm round table?
Four sit comfortably, five is tight. The circumference is about 3770 mm.
What is the main drawback of a round dining table?
With a large diameter the centre is out of reach and the far side is a long way off. For eight or more people an oval or Danish oval table works better.
Can a round dining table stand outdoors?
With a ceramic top, yes: ceramic is frost-resistant and does not fade in sunlight. Oak and walnut are not suitable for outdoor use.
How long does delivery of a made-to-measure round table take?
Delivery within 4 weeks, or at a lower rate within 8 weeks. Collection from Maasbree is also possible.