How to Choose a Round Dining Table

men and women in a dining table — Mad Men Dinner party

When it comes to round dining tables, you either love them or hate them. A round dining table has no rough edges which makes it easier to get by. You will have no need to twist your neck when talking to a person sitting next to you. You can observe people and sneaky spy on them because you see everyone at all times. Oh, danger! Make sure you read some news before you go. The ideal room for a round table is almost square. If you have an open floor plan for a dining room/living room combination and it is large, a round table might look great. Of course, you will have an eight-by-sixteen room, this is out of the question.

Here are some questions that get from my clients quite often:

Which one is better: A pedestal base or legs?
How to extend a round table for six to add seats for guests?

Round Dining Table with the Pedestal Base.

I prefer a pedestal base to table legs most of the time because you can seat more guests.

a room with large glass windows and an extendable ding table — Round Extendable Dining Table by Scovby #32

This sleek modern dining table with a clever extension mechanism is easy on the eyes. Its construction is for people that enjoy no fuss entertaining or Tuesday night card game with friends.

round dining table with black chairs in a black and white themed room — Eclipse Legno Dining Table by Ozzi

TULIP pedestals, similar to the one you see above, are very comfortable because of their slim pedestal base. The term of this style is inherited from Saarinen who designed it over fifty years ago. This became a timeless classic.

extendable white table — Opera Extendable Table by Bauline

If art is your passion, this table is for you.Its’ beautiful and gracious lines are feminine and sexy. I am not sure about the overall comfort, but beauty demands sacrifice for some people.

If your style is more traditional…

elegant dining room with an elegant dining set — A.R.T. Provenance Dining Table from Wayfair

This round dining table in French provincial style is pretty and unassuming. I can see myself enjoying a cup of coffee with a home-made eclair.

modern ding room with dark brown wood dining set — Sienna Dining Table from Brownstone

Dark wood and elegant details of the pedestal base create a cozy feeling many of us crave . You either love rich, intricate details or you don’t. However, since most of the pedestal base is blocked by the chairs, it is not going to be as visible as you think. I can give all the credit to the furniture designers creating fabulous tables bases but you won’t see some part of them.

glass dining set in a small dining room — Table base: Bassett Mirror; Table top: Star International

So, if you are obsessed with your new dining table and want to show off its pedestal base, here is what you do:

Emphasize it.

Buy a pedestal base separately and then put a clear glass or crackled glass table top.
Go for very simple, low back chairs.
Avoid area rug. It will distract from the beauty of the base.

Note: Before you buy, check the table base for stability. You do not want anyone to be hurt because of the wobbly top.

Round Dining Rooms Tables with Legs

A round dining room table with legs can be quite stylish. Besides, it gives more room under the table. You can also pet Sparky, the dog curled up under the table. If Sparky was an interior designer the tables with pedestals would not exist.

dining set with white chairs — Atelier Adjustable Extension Table by Calligaris

This table is simple and can be used both, in the dining room as well as in the kitchen. When it extends, the legs stay in place, which is a good thing. You never want to seat anyone so that they hit the table leg.

extendable wooden dining table — Bierdermeir Extension Table in Artisan Mahogany by Port Elliot

You’ve got to show off those legs! Beautiful, classic and timeless, this table is something that will never go out of style.

A few words about choosing the extendable tables.

If your dining room is large enough for an extendable dining table, keep on reading this post. If not, come back later this month when I talk about Small Dining Room Tables.
different types of extendable dining table

extendable round table

When choosing an extendable table pay attention to the tables leaves or the extending mechanism. If your budget allows, try to get the table with butterfly leaves (on the left). This way you won’t need to worry about storing the leaves. If this is not an option, at least try to open and close the table in the store to see if you can handle it at home.

Things to remember when buying a round table:

1. Your room or space should be more square and allow at least 36-48 inches from the table to the wall.
2. Check the pedestal base for stability to make sure the table top will not move.
3. Go for the extendable dining table if the space allows for it.
4. Make sure that extendable table opens up with the legs staying on both ends.
5. Try to operate the extension mechanism before you buy.

Now your turn. Tell me which round dining table above you would like the movers to bring in today?

Please post your questions here below. I’ll be happy to help you!

How to Choose a Round Dining Table