Like it or not, we usually spend a lion's share of our time at home in the kitchen. We cook, have breakfast, talk, host guests. Sometimes it's a closed kitchen. In more modern homes, it's a kitchen-dining room with an open living room.
One way or another, the central piece is always the kitchen table. It's the focal point and main attraction of any home. Therefore, planning, choosing, and placing the kitchen table should be done very carefully.
Let's share a few tips from our experience.
What shape should the kitchen table be?
The shape of the table depends on your preferences and room configuration. Personally, I prefer rectangular kitchen tables. They are more spacious both for placing dishes and for the number of people who can sit simultaneously.
A round kitchen table is more suitable for a square kitchen, as it requires an even amount of space around it. However, sometimes round tables are quite convenient to use in a small kitchen by pushing the table into the corner and pulling it out to the center when needed. But this solution is for 2-4 people.
To seat 6-8 people simultaneously, you need a fairly large round table, at least 1.2-1.3 meters in diameter. Such a table can only be placed in a large kitchen or dining room. Moving it will be difficult, as it is heavy. You also need an extra 0.7 meters of space around it. So, you end up needing a square room of about 2.7 x 2.7 meters.
A rectangular kitchen table is generally easier to place. It requires a rectangular kitchen space and offers greater capacity.
What size kitchen table to choose.
The general advice is: the bigger the kitchen table, the better. In Europe and America, the culture of large dining tables is widespread. And it's really great. They plan for large tables even in small homes.
A large table can accommodate the whole family and guests. It can be used for studying, working, and doing household chores. A big kitchen table is always great, of course, if the space allows.
But choose the largest one you can. The standard size grid and the number of people who can comfortably fit at the table:
100x60 cm - 2 people comfortably, 4 a bit tight but possible.
110x70 cm - 4 people comfortably, 6 a bit tight but possible.
120x80 cm - 6 people comfortably.
140x80 cm - 6 people comfortably.
160x90 cm - 6 people freely and comfortably.
180x90 cm - 8 people comfortably.
200x90 cm - 8 people comfortably.
Placement of the kitchen table.
Keep in mind that the kitchen table should be placed at a distance of at least 1.6 - 1.8 meters from the kitchen countertop. This way, you'll have enough space for comfortably placing chairs, and they won't interfere with kitchen activities.
But it's also not advisable to place the table too far from the kitchen. After all, the number of trips to the table and back will be significant.
The 0.7-meter perimeter rule applies as well. And that's the minimum. It's better to have about a meter to be truly ergonomic and convenient.
A round kitchen table can be pushed into a corner (if there is one in the kitchen and more space is needed). A rectangular table can be pushed against a wall, preferably with the short side. And then you can move it around the room as needed. We did this at home for almost 10 years.
At some point, we tried to replace the 160x90 cm table with a round table with a diameter of 115 cm. It turned out that the latter was much smaller in usable surface area. We had to revert to the classic rectangular one.
Material of the kitchen table.
Of course, we recommend wood. It is the most durable, warm, and comfortable material for a tabletop. A wooden kitchen table will last you decades, if not centuries, and can become a true family heirloom.
It's no coincidence that we produce wooden tables. It's not just a business. It's a love for genuine, living material. Why you should choose a wooden table—read in my separate post.
The choice is yours, of course. We're just making a recommendation.
Ergonomics of the kitchen table.
Pay close attention to this. Recently, many exotic types of supports have emerged, made of metal and other materials. Although they look attractive, they are not always ergonomic in use. For example, the popular spider-shaped kitchen table, in my opinion, is anti-ergonomic.
Some forms of supports can turn out to be unstable (Be sure to check this if you're choosing such a form), or simply uncomfortable. When there's no place to put your feet. At first, you may not pay much attention to this, but with daily use, it really starts to bother you.
Make sure there are no sharp edges under the tabletop, especially metal ones. It's very unpleasant to bump into them with your legs. And if you have small children who walk under the table, you understand...
Some kitchen tables are simply not suitable for homes with small children, as they can be dangerous due to sharp corners or instability.
Actually, the best supports are the classic legs at the corners. Nothing better has been invented so far, in my opinion.
If the support is metal, make sure it is placed closer to the corners so it doesn't obstruct seating. The best approach is to personally sit from different sides and determine if it's comfortable and if nothing obstructs your knees, both in front and under the tabletop.
When I sit at the table, I often shift around in my chair and cross my legs. If there's something under the tabletop and you keep bumping into it, it's really uncomfortable.
It's great when a table has a middle stretcher underneath to rest your feet on. It's a small detail, but in daily use, it's very convenient.
Summary.
A kitchen table is too important a part of the home to choose lightly. Go for the largest table that can fit into your home—you won't regret it. The shape of the kitchen table depends on the kitchen layout and your personal preferences. Pay attention to ergonomics. And choose a wooden kitchen table; it's the best.
