TOP 5 most common mistakes when choosing a dining table (and how to avoid them)

The dining room table is more than just a place to eat. It is a family gathering place, a place for coffee chats, birthday parties, homework, or evening board games. Therefore, an improperly chosen table can not only spoil the aesthetics, but also interfere with everyday comfort .

Let's take a look at the most common mistakes - and how to avoid them.

1. Too big a table for a small space

A common situation: the table you see looks impressive in the store, but at home it takes up the entire kitchen or dining room space. The result is that it is difficult to pass, chairs have to be pushed with effort, and movement becomes uncomfortable.

How to avoid?

• Measure not only the dimensions of the table , but also the space needed for comfortable movement - at least 80-90 cm around the entire table.

• If space is limited, choose extendable tables or round models that do not visually clutter the space and can be expanded only when needed.

• Imagine what the chairs will look like when fully assembled - they also "eat up" a lot of space.

2. Inappropriate form according to family habits

Shape directly affects how comfortable it is to sit and communicate. While aesthetics are important, not every shape is practical for your lifestyle.

The most popular forms and advantages:

• A round dining table is great for small spaces and encourages conversation because everyone can see each other.

• Rectangular – the most spacious, suitable for long rooms and large families.

• Oval – visually softer than rectangular, but retains good capacity.

• Square – compact, suitable for 2-4 people or small apartments.

Practical advice: before buying, think about real situations - how many people will sit every day, how many guests you have per month, whether you will be working or playing at the table.

3. Uncomfortable height or restrictive leg design

Sometimes a beautiful table becomes a source of everyday discomfort - knees don't fit, chairs get stuck, and table legs limit how many people can be seated on the sides.

How to avoid?

• The standard table height is 75–76 cm . The seat height of the chair should be about 45 cm , leaving at least 25–30 cm of space for the knees.

• Check that the leg design does not interfere with pushing chairs in and does not restrict the movement of the legs of the occupants.

• If you buy online, pay attention to the technical drawings and the distances between the legs .

4. Design is more important than function

A glossy surface, intricate edges, or metal details may look impressive, but they may be impractical for everyday use. Very glossy surfaces show every fingerprint, and the overly sensitive coating scratches quickly.

What to pay attention to:

• Surface resistance to stains and scratches.

• Will you need to apply protective coatings or renew the varnish layer frequently?

• The stability of the table – does it move or wobble?

• The feel of the material – is it pleasant to the touch, especially in winter.

5. Table without chairs context

We often buy a table separately and then look for chairs - and it turns out that they don't fit under the table top or "don't match" the style of the table.

How to avoid?

• Choose a table and chairs together – or at least plan their combination right away.

• For small spaces, choose chairs without armrests that are completely hidden under the tabletop.

• In large spaces, you can afford wider, accent chairs that will become an additional element of the interior.

Recommended table dimensions based on the number of people and room size

How to use the table:

• The dimensions are provided so that each person has at least 60 cm of seating space at the table and enough elbow room.

• The minimum room width indicates the distance required to have at least 80-90 cm around the table for comfortable passage and chairs to be pulled back.

• If space is limited, a good solution is a folding table or a round model with an extension function .

Fewer mistakes – more comfort

A good dining table is not only a matter of aesthetics, but also of feeling . It should be comfortable, spacious and pleasant to spend time at. Therefore, it is worth choosing not according to one criterion, but rather looking for a balance between shape, size, material, style and comfort.

If you are looking for a table that will be both beautiful and comfortable in everyday life - in the Maison Home collection you will find solutions for both small kitchens and spacious dining rooms.