Your dining table is the centre piece in any dining space. It’s a place for everything from slow Sunday breakfasts and the kids after-school homework sessions, to games nights and hosting dinners with friends or family. It’s where everyday moments happen and a place you can bring people together to socialise and celebrate.

When it comes to which shape dining table to choose, it’s about your lifestyle as much as your taste. Round or rectangular? Both have their benefits. One might be easier to walk round in a compact space, while the other could give you more room to spread out.

In this blog, we'll help you decide whether a round or rectangular dining table is the best fit for your home.

What is the size and shape of your room?

Before finding and falling in love with your dream dining table, consider the space it will live in. The dimensions and layout of your dining room should be your first consideration when deciding what table shape will work best. 

Round tables are perfect for square rooms or smaller spaces. Their circular design softens the look of a room and allows for better flow, especially when you’re tight on space. With no corners to navigate around, a small room, like a kitchen-diner, can feel more open (and no sharp corners means no baby-proofing required).

In contrast, rectangular tables are a natural fit for longer, narrower rooms. They make the most of wall space and can often accommodate more people than their round counterparts. But don’t think rectangular tables have to be reserved for large rooms - they can still be used to optimise space and pair well with an easily tucked-away bench or a built-in banquette, which is an upholstered dining bench along a wall.

If you have a bay window in your dining room or kitchen, it might be the ideal spot for a table. For a small or curved bay, a round table is the obvious choice. A rectangular table will fit better in a wide box bay window, perfectly complemented by a fitted window seat.

When measuring your space, allow a minimum of 90cm clearance around the table so guests can easily pull out their chairs and move around the table. This will give you an idea of the maximum table size that will feel comfortable within your layout.

How many people do you need to seat?

Think about how many people normally sit around your dining table. Do you live alone or with one or two others? Or do you live in a big household and regularly eat together?

To avoid knocking bashing elbows, you want to ensure each person has at least 60cm of space at a dining table. 

A round table tends to feel more intimate and social, with everyone facing each other at an equal distance which encourages conversation. However, once you go too large with a round table, you can feel far apart and it becomes difficult to reach the middle – problematic if you’re trying to beat someone to the last roast potato.

Rectangular tables are usually more versatile when it comes to seating larger groups. More than four people can easily sit along the sides and ends of the table and still be relatively close together.

Do you regularly have guests for meals?

If entertaining is a big part of your lifestyle or you often have extra people joining for meals, it’s worth factoring this in when choosing a table shape.

Rectangular tables typically offer more room for serving dishes, buffet-style lunches, decor, and extra place settings, making them ideal for dinner parties or larger family get-togethers.

For small groups, round tables create a laid-back, communal atmosphere where everyone can share food and talk without leaning or shouting.

If you want the flexibility to host without committing to a table that’s oversized for daily use, an extendable table gives you the best of both worlds. Look for a model that can be easily extended with a leaf or built-in mechanism and never be caught short again when your friend brings a last-minute plus one.

What will you use the dining table for?

Your table might double as a workspace, study zone, or craft station. If so, think about which shape best suits those needs.

Rectangular tables generally offer more usable surface space. They’re great for multiple laptops, large projects, and leaving the other end of the table free for others to use.

Round tables, whilst cosy for meals, can be less practical for other activities. Though this won’t be a concern if you have a separate study or desk elsewhere.

If your household is a big fan of board games, round tables are the clear winner. They give everyone equal access to the centre, so there’s no more awkward stretching across the table.

Will it work with your existing furniture?

Your table should feel balanced with the rest of the dining room and work in harmony with your existing furniture.

Check that a large table won’t make your room feel cramped or too crowded with furniture. For a spacious room, choose a table that won't look too small and disproportionate.

Rectangular tables match well with more structured interiors, especially if you already have a straight dining bench or rectangular rug in place.

If you have a lot of soft edges, curves, or circular lighting, a round table will feel cohesive. On the other hand, it can be fun to add visual interest and contrast in a room filled with angular furniture.

Whether you’ve landed on round or rectangular, you can select the right dining table for your space here.