Choosing a dining table for a small flat

In a small room the table is the largest thing you will buy. Too big and the room becomes awkward; too small and nobody uses it. So start with the space around the table rather than the table itself.

The space around it matters more than the table

To pull a chair out and sit down comfortably you need roughly 90 cm from the table edge to the wall or the next piece of furniture. Where nobody walks behind the chair, 75 cm is enough. Mark that distance on the floor with tape before you choose - it tells you more than any catalogue.

How much room one person needs

• Allow 60 cm of table width per person for a comfortable place setting.
• A depth of 80-90 cm leaves room for plates plus shared dishes down the middle.
• A round table 90-100 cm across seats four comfortably.
• A rectangular table at 120x80 cm is the smallest that seats four without crowding.

Round or rectangular

A round table has no sharp corners, so it is easier to walk past in a narrow room, and you can always squeeze in one more person. A rectangular table uses wall space better and suits you if the table doubles as a desk. An oval is the compromise: rectangular capacity with rounded ends.

The base decides how many people actually sit down

A table on a central pedestal or a single solid base lets chairs go anywhere around it. A table with four corner legs looks sturdier, but corner seats often go unused because a leg is in the way. In a small room the pedestal usually wins.

What to check on a second-hand table

• Rock the table by one edge - a wobble usually means loose joints, which can be tightened.
• Look across the top in raking light to reveal scratches and water marks.
• If it extends, open it in the shop; the mechanism should slide without force.
• Look at the edge underneath: solid wood shows grain running through, not a thin applied strip.

If you are unsure about sizes, send us the dimensions of your room and we will help you choose from what is in the shop.