Can You Fit More People at a Round or Rectangular Table?

Whether you have a big family or simply love to entertain, when it comes to our dining spaces the great debate is always: Can you fit more people at a round or rectangular table?

The decision between these two classic dining table shapes may influence factors like social interactions, spatial dynamics and your overall dining experience. For this reason, the deliberation over which is the most accommodating seating arrangement has piqued the interest of designers and social enthusiasts worldwide. The simple answer is that it depends. 

Lacking corners, round tables create an intimate environment and seating versatility, which certainly trumps their four-sided counterparts in that regard. 

However, as the number of diners increases, opting for something rectangular is a far more practical solution. And, with their linear beauty and ability to suit a wide range of styles and room dimensions, you won’t be disappointed. 

Join us as our expert team share their top tips in this guide on determining the best dining table shape for your home. 

Which dining table seats the most people?

This age-old conundrum essentially boils down to how many people you want to seat in the first place. Here’s how it works:

Small gatherings:

In general, round tables can fit more people in any given space than rectangular tables, making them a good option for smaller gatherings. Why? Because they don’t have corners, which allows for more guests per square centimetre. 

Large gatherings:

For larger parties, elongated options are a better choice. What makes us say that? 

Simply put, the more people you need to accommodate, the wider in diameter a circular table has to be. This will inevitably lead to too much distance between guests sitting opposite each other, resulting in excess surface space and an inflexible dinner service. 

Rectangular tables, on the other hand, are built to be long and narrow, accommodating larger numbers of people with ease. 

Other things to consider:

Other things to consider: 

When considering seating capacity, it's important to keep in mind that the size and style of chairs can also affect the number of people that can be seated around a table.

Make a note of these general guidelines for table size and capacity.

Family dining (60 cm chair spacing) for round tables:

• A 106 cm table seats up to 5 adults
• A 120 - 137 cm table seats up to 6 adults
• A 150 cm table seats up to 8 adults
• A 183 cm table seats up to 10 adults

Family dining (60 cm chair spacing) for rectangular tables:

• A 137 - 167 cm table seats up to 6 adults
• A 182 - 213 cm table seats up to 10 adults, including ends
• A 243 - 274 cm table seats up to 12 adults, including ends
• A 304 cm table seats up to 14 adults, including ends

Round Dining Room Table Pros and Cons

Round dining tables are a great choice if you are facing a space crunch or are working in a room with square dimensions. However, it’s important to weigh up both the pros and cons before making a final decision:

Pros

With multiple benefits including their ability to draw the eye towards the centre of your dining area, here’s why they’re so popular: 

• They fit easily into kitchen layouts, providing a convenient, homely space in which to entertain guests. 
• Their balanced design and rounded edges allow for extra seats, create visual harmony and add a soft, relaxed feel to your aesthetics. This complements a wide range of interior styles and architectural ideas.
• As seen in the elegant Agra dining table by Brabbu, many of them are designed with an eye-catching pedestal base. This not only serves as a focal point but also provides more legroom for guests. 
• With no sharp corners, they are safer for households with young children.
• Round tables are an excellent choice if you’re a family who loves to socialise or play board games regularly. This is because they offer a more inclusive dining experience, allowing each guest to see and converse with everyone else seamlessly. 
• Many come with a drop leaf or extension mechanism that can be folded out, enlarging their surface space on demand to accommodate extra guests.
• Overall, they offer a sense of casual intimacy, making everyone feel included and comfortable.

Cons

While round dining room tables have many attractive features, there are also some drawbacks to consider.

• They offer less surface area than rectangular tables, which can be a problem if you need extra space for serving dishes or laying out a buffet.
• They cannot be pushed up against a wall should you ever need to create more space in the middle of your room.
• You will be limited in terms of seating capacity, as they cannot comfortably accommodate a large number of guests.
• Their shape excludes you from being able to use benches as an alternate seating option. This, in turn, will prohibit you from squeezing in more people should you need to.

Rectangular Dining Room Table Pros and Cons

Rectangular dining room tables are a classic choice for many homes because they beautifully balance functionality, aesthetics and versatility. Here are their advantages and disadvantages:

Pros

Sleek and elegant, they are the epitome of fine dining. This is what we love about them:

• They can accommodate large gatherings, making them ideal for hosting parties and formal dinners.
• Their elongated shape perfectly compliments expansive dining rooms or open plan settings because they can be aligned with your walls, dressers and sideboards. This maximises your available space, giving you an increased seating capacity without crowding the room. 
• With a definite head and end, they are ideal for formal placements, especially during occasions that require a seating hierarchy.
• Their extended surface makes table decorations a breeze with plenty of room for centrepieces, settings, flowers and serving platters. This artistic versatility will improve the aesthetic appeal of your dining experience, making your environment more visually appealing for guests.
• Suitable for narrow spaces, they can be pushed up against a wall or tucked into corners if you need to create more room in your home. This is especially useful for studio apartment living or in homes with special layout constraints.
• Similarly, if you choose to use benches instead of chairs, these can be pushed neatly under the table when not in use, optimising your floor space. 
• Rectangular tables help to accentuate architectural features in your home such as long windows or archways, creating a sense of cohesion and aesthetic appeal.

Cons

As with all good things, there are some negatives, so consider them before you commit:

• They are not the best choice for an odd number of guests, as someone may end up feeling left out or isolated.
• Rectangular tables can feel excessively large and empty if you usually dine with a smaller group of people.
• People at opposite ends of a rectangular table may find it difficult to interact with each other, which limits social interaction and creates a disconnect. This makes your overall dining experience less intimate.   
• Because many furniture pieces, such as sideboards and cabinets, are linear in design, rectangular tables can generate a sense of visual monotony and a less impactful aesthetic.

Factors to consider when choosing a dining table

The shape of your dining table will set the tone of your dining room. So, whether you want a formal affair, love lavish entertaining or simply enjoy close family dinners, picking the right one is key.  

Appearance

Think about the look and feel you’re trying to create before you decide on a table shape.

Round dining tables will infuse your space with a more relaxed, homely atmosphere. They both serve as a central gathering spot and create a focal point and can help to tie together the overall decor of your room. 

A perfect example is the show-stopping Rodrigo dining table by Smania. Not only will it create an inclusive atmosphere, but its striking base and generous dimensions will garner attention, making it your central focal point. 

Rectangular dining tables, on the other hand, tend to have a more formal appearance, bringing refinement and grandeur to your room. They also give you the opportunity to decorate them optimally, further enhancing the elegance of your overall dining experience. 

If this is the look you’re aiming for, then we suggest you consider Cattelan Italia’s iconic Skorpio dining table. Offering a striking sculptural base and a classic wooden top in either burned oak or Canaletto walnut, it’s sure to add a touch of class to every mealtime.  

Seating capacity

Determine the average number of guests you'll be hosting in order to select a table size that will accommodate your usual gatherings.

If your family consists of 2 - 6 members, then having conversations at an 8-seater rectangular table will feel cold and distant. Instead, choose a round profile, giving everyone the right amount of wriggle room for comfortable seating while still creating a warm, inviting atmosphere. 

However, for bigger groups of diners, a round table large enough to seat 8 - 10 people will be too big for intimate conversations. In this scenario, a rectangular table would therefore be more practical.

Room size

Finding the right size dining table for your room is key. Here’s how to do it:

• Take measurements of the length and width of your eating area. Your ideal table should leave enough space for guests to be able to walk around it and pull out their chairs with ease. To achieve this, we suggest leaving a minimum of 90 cm between the table edge and your walls or other furniture.
• Determine how many individuals you wish to accommodate on a regular basis and allow for around 60 cm of table width per person. This will guarantee that you have a place setting that ensures a comfortable dining experience. 
• If you have a smaller space but occasionally like to host big parties, consider getting an extendable table that can be enlarged when needed. Make sure that your choice will still fit your room when at full capacity.
• Choose something that compliments the overall look and feel of your room. It should neither be so big that it dominates your other furniture nor so small that it gets lost in the crowd. 

Budget

Budget is always a key factor when decorating your home. In order to ensure that you get the best quality available, we suggest that you allocate a set amount and spend all of it.

Ease of installation

Don’t overlook the small matter of getting your new table into your home. Make sure you find one that will fit through your entryways. 

Some larger tables have separate bases, allowing you to assemble them once they’re in your dining room. 

In conclusion

Ultimately, the decision between a circular or rectangular dining table comes down to which shape better fits your lifestyle. 

Round dining tables tend to create a sense of casual intimacy while saving space, while rectangular tables are formal, elegant and ideal if you love to entertain.

At FCI we have a collection of luxury dining tables in all shapes and sizes, to suit every home. Get in touch with our design team for a chat or visit our showroom to see some samples. We look forward to helping you choose the ideal dining table.