The diameter is set by the chairs that go around it. As a general guide, with dining chairs without armrests:

• 4 people: 100 to 120 cm in diameter.
• 6 people: 140 to 150 cm in diameter.
• 8 people: 160 to 180 cm in diameter.

A 120 cm table seats 4 comfortably. For 6, choose 140 cm or more. Above 150 cm, the centre of the table is far from everyone seated and a serving dish can no longer be passed from hand to hand. For 8 people or more, an oval table usually works better than a very large round one.

Around the table, leave 90 cm clear to the wall, the sideboard or the back of the sofa. This is the space to pull out a chair, sit down and walk behind someone who is seated.

The calculation takes 2 steps. Add 90 cm on each side, that is, 1.80 m to the diameter. The result is the side of the clear square the table needs:

• 120 cm table: 3 × 3 m.
• 140 cm table: 3.20 × 3.20 m.
• 150 cm table: 3.30 × 3.30 m.

In an open-plan room, count the 90 cm from the back of the sofa, not from the wall. To plan the whole dining room, with the table, the sideboard and the lighting, see the Dining room page.

• Round: suits square rooms and small or medium rooms. With no corners, it is easier to move around and everyone can see each other at the table.
• Oval: suits long, narrow rooms, where a large round table would take up the whole width. It has the length of a rectangular table, but the curved ends make it easier to walk past at either end.

An oval table is counted like a rectangular one of the same length: 60 cm of tabletop per person along each side. A 180 cm oval seats 6 and a 220 cm oval seats 8. Around it, it needs the same 90 cm of clear space.

On a round table, the base decides how many chairs fit. With a central base, there are no legs near the edge: chairs can go wherever they are needed, and those seated have more legroom. With 4 legs near the edge, their position can cost you a seat.

Before choosing, check where the base sits and how wide it is. A central base, set well back under the tabletop, keeps the knee area clear.

Round or oval, a dining table is the same height as any other: 74 to 76 cm. Above a round table, use a single pendant light, centred, 75 to 85 cm above the tabletop and at least 15 cm in from the edge. Above an oval table, a linear pendant, or 2 to 3 in a row. The measurements for each case are in the guide The ideal height to hang pendant lights.

• IMPERIUM round: 140 cm in diameter and 75.5 cm high. Seats 6. The matte lacquered top rests on a fluted wooden base, 70 cm in diameter. It needs a clear area of 3.20 × 3.20 m.
• IPANEMA round: 150 cm in diameter and 74 cm high. Seats 6 comfortably. It rests on 2 curved legs, at the centre. It needs 3.30 × 3.30 m.
• IPANEMA oval: 180 or 220 cm long, 110 cm wide and 74 cm high, on the same 2 curved legs. The 180 cm table seats 6 and needs 3.60 × 2.90 m. The 220 cm table seats 8 and needs 4 × 2.90 m.

The IPANEMA top comes in natural wood veneer, in Oak, Walnut or Smoked Eucalyptus, or in matte lacquer. All 3 tables have an optional sintered stone top, on request. For rectangular tables, such as the BELLE and the RIVIERA, see all our dining tables.