Drawing Tables

Many tables expand for special occasions, so consider both versions in your planning. 18″ of expansion is about the minimum for an additional place at each side of the table, but this can be affected by the shape of the top and the location of the leaves in the center.

The location of the legs can also affect the number of available places, as well as the placement of trestles, rails and other structural elements. There may be room on top of the table for two place settings, but will there be enough room below for two pairs of human legs? A trestle base close to the end may make a dramatic visual statement but can prevent the end from being used for seating.

FIG. 4-54 As round tables increase in diameter, the ability to reach across the table becomes an issue.

And last but not least the size and shape of the room enters into the equation. It’s great to have a dining table that can expand to accommodate everyone for a holiday dinner, but if it expands so far that it blocks the door to the kitchen it won’t be much of a benefit.

The shapes of most tabletops start as squares or circles, pushed or pulled to a number of alternatives. Clipping the corners of a rectangular top will allow more table width in a narrower room and the space removed at the corner won’t be missed. This makes for a more interesting look, and not having a sharp corner makes the table more user-friendly for inattentive people in a crowded room.

FIG. 4-55 Increasing size must be weighed against a practical increase in seating area. Layout an actual place setting during planning to help find the ideal size.

Also consider some non-traditional shapes. These can be a practical as well as an esthetic improvement in many cases, but this departure must be balanced to the overall shape of the room. A shape that works in one environment can easily be awkward and non-functional in another.

Occasional tables also have relatively standard sizes, but there is a much wider range within these standards. Coffee or cocktail tables are usually within an inch or so of standard seat heights, 16″-18″, but higher or lower tops will also work. It’s a balancing act between function and appearance.

FIG. 4-56 Square tables provide some extra space between diners, but it is more difficult to squeeze in an extra seat and it can be harder to navigate around the table in a small room.