To make your outdoor furniture look more spacious and attractive, it is important that you have the right-sized outdoor table. A right-sized table would not only help you make your patio look organized but also keep your guests relaxed and comfortable while sitting on the chairs for long periods.
To help you find perfection, we have the complete guide that would provide you with the ideal dining table dimensions for 8. Moreover, you will also learn to measure your patio space and get the right dimensions yourself in case you want to accommodate more or fewer people than 8.
The Right Dining Table Dimensions for Eight People
How to find the right dimensions
Here are some of the things you need to consider before finding the right table dimensions for your dining table.
The legroom
The first consideration is the legroom. Most table manufacturers provide dining tables in the market that feature stylish and modern table base designs at the cost of reduced legroom. We highly recommend not buying these as they will often make you and your guests feel uncomfortable.
The table height
The height of your dining table is part of its dimensions, so you need to consider it as well. The height might not affect the overall space on the patio, but it would definitely affect the dining experience. The standard height of the small outdoor dining table is 30 inches tall, which may or may not be ideal for you. So, there are some other options you can choose as well. For instance, you can select 36-inch counter height or 42 inches bar height, depending upon your requirements.
The number of chairs and their size
Once you have decided on the tabletop height, it is time to take a look at the height of the chairs. It is extremely important to keep an ideal height difference between the chairs and table tops so the dining experience is comfortable. On the other hand, the number of chairs you want to place is an important consideration as well. To accommodate 8 people, you will need 8 chairs that sit perfectly within the space below the tabletop.
The space between chairs
Putting in 8 chairs in less space would make it much more uncomfortable. So, the space between two chairs must be more than 6 inches. This much space would allow you and your guests to easily sit and move around.
The tabletop space
The tabletop space is equally as important as the space below it. The total dining space in front of every person sitting at the table must be around a minimum of 13 by 19 inches to 18 by 30 inches. This much space would ensure that every person has ample space to keep the food and other items on the table.
Consider different designs
The last thing you need to see before selecting the table size is the different designs available in the market. The design changes the size required to accommodate 8 people. For instance, a 5 by 5 foot square table would be able to accommodate more seats than a 3.5 by 6.5 foot.
The right dining table dimensions
Dimensions for round-shaped tabletop
For accommodating 8 people at the round-shaped dining table, you need to have a round table top of 5 to 5.5 feet in diameter. In this size, the 8 chairs would easily be accommodated round the table with decent space in between. For more space between chairs, you can pick smaller-sized chairs.
Dimensions for rectangular tabletop
The patio table dimensions for a rectangular top to accommodate 8 people would be 3.5 by 8 feet. This means that three chairs would be on both of the longer sides of the rectangle, whereas a single chair would be on the shorter side.
Dimensions for square tabletop
Outdoor dining table dimensions for a square table top would be 5 by 5 feet. Two chairs would be placed on each side of the square. One advantage of a square outdoor dining table is the ample space you get in the middle of the table.
Dimensions for oval table top
If you choose an oval-shaped table, you will need to get an 8-foot-long dining table. Similar to a rectangular table, you will have three chairs on each side of the oval and one each on the upper and lower ends.
How to Measure Your Patio for Perfect Dining Table Size
If you have got your table dimensions right, here are some factors you need to consider for properly measuring your patio space to fit the table perfectly.
Check the tabletop design
The first thing to check is the tabletop design. The space required in the patio for different table top shapes is different. For instance, an oval-shaped table for 8 would require 14 feet long and 10 feet wide space. On the other hand, a rectangular top for 8 would need to be 12.5 feet wide and 13 feet long. At last, the round table and square table would need a similar space of 11 feet by 11 feet.
The number of people you want to accommodate
The number of people you want to accommodate defines the dimensions of your table, and the dimensions of your table determine the total space required in the patio.
Make a layout
Before you place the table on your patio, make sure to design a layout that shows the dining table dimensions for 8. Now that you know how to measure the dimensions of the table and patio, making a layout would be much easier for you.
Check the chair size and table decor
Checking the table size doesn’t mean that you only need to consider the tabletop. The chairs placed with the table are also a part of your outdoor dining set, so make sure you have ample space behind the chairs to walk freely without much hassle, especially when you are buying them separately. Moreover, if you are placing decor items such as a fireplace or umbrella, make sure you leave more space on the sides.
