The short answer: allow 60 cm of table edge per diner and leave 90 cm clear between the table and the wall or sideboard. With those two figures, a 180 × 90 cm table seats 6 people comfortably and 8 using the ends, and a round table 120 cm in diameter seats 4.
How to calculate it
Each diner needs about 60 cm of edge to eat without brushing against the person beside them. Count the long sides and, if there is room, one person at each end. A 180 cm table seats 3 people along each long side (180 ÷ 60) and one at each 90 cm end.
| Diners | Table size | Piece from the shop |
|---|---|---|
| 4 | Rectangular 120 × 80 cm or round, 120 cm in diameter | Altea Dining Table, round, 120 cm |
| 6, comfortably | 180 × 90 cm | Livia Dining Table and Aria Dining Table, 180 × 90 cm |
| 8, using the ends | 180 × 90 cm, or 220 × 90 cm to dine without squeezing in | Livia and Aria seat 8 using the ends |
The free space around it
A chair takes up about 60 cm when pulled back to sit down. With 90 cm clear between the edge of the table and the wall, one person can sit and another can still pass behind. Below that figure, the table becomes an obstacle.
An example with a specific room
For a 180 × 90 cm table you need a room at least 2.7 m wide (90 + 90 + 90) and 3.6 m long (180 + 90 + 90). If your dining room measures 3 × 4 m, it fits with room to spare. If it is 2.5 m wide, choose a table 80 cm deep or a round one.
Limits
The rule assumes chairs about 45 to 50 cm wide. With armchairs, allow 65 cm per diner. Also look at the distance between the legs: on the Livia table it is 70 to 110 cm according to the technical sheet, and it affects how the chairs fit. Measure your room with a tape measure before deciding.
Next step
If you want a table that stands up to daily use, read our guide to ceramic or marble. If you would like us to help with the whole dining room, write to our interior design studio.
Frequently asked questions
How many people fit at a 180 × 90 cm table?
Six comfortably, three along each long side, and eight if both ends are used.
How much free space do I need around the table?
90 cm between the edge of the table and the wall or nearest piece of furniture, so you can pull out a chair and still leave room for someone to pass behind.
Is a round or rectangular table better?
A round table encourages conversation and has no ends; a rectangular one makes better use of a long room and seats more people.
What leg spacing should I check?
Look at the technical sheet: on the Livia table it is 70 to 110 cm. The wider it is, the easier it is to fit a chair at the ends.
Related questions
By Zaida Muñoz, interior designer at Zach & Decor · Updated 16/10/2026