The dining table is probably the most social piece of furniture in the home. Birthdays are celebrated around it, Sunday lunches stretch on long after dessert, homework gets done and, more than we'd like to admit, so does remote work. That's why choosing the right dining table is one of the decisions that shows up most in everyday life.

The most common mistake is falling in love with a design without first checking whether it fits, how many people can really sit at it, or whether it leaves room to move around it. In this guide from Pino & Jacaranda we go over the measurements that matter, which shape suits your space and which material fits your lifestyle.

1. Before you look at tables, measure the space

The size of the table isn't decided by the table, but by the room. A table that looks perfect in the shop can feel cramped at home if it doesn't leave room to pull the chairs out and walk behind whoever is sitting there.

The rule is simple: measure the available space and subtract the walking room you need on each side. What's left is the maximum size for your table.

A very useful trick: mark the table's outline on the floor with masking tape and leave the chairs in place for a few days. You'll quickly see whether there's enough room to pass, or whether you should go down a size.

2. How many guests fit at each table

These measurements are approximate and designed so everyone eats comfortably, not squeezed together. If you often host guests, always choose the size that covers your typical gatherings, not just everyday meals.

3. Round, rectangular or oval: which shape to choose

The shape completely changes how the dining room is experienced. No one shape is better than another, but there is one that's more suited to each space and each family.

The round table is the queen of conversation: everyone can see each other, no one presides, and there are no corners to bump into. It works beautifully in square dining rooms, open kitchens and flats where the dining area shares space with the living room.

A great option is the Cambados Dining Table, Ø120 cm, with a travertine-effect ceramic top and a natural ash conical base: very Mediterranean and comfortable for four to six people. If you need more seats, the Etna Circular Table reaches 150 cm in diameter.

The rectangular table is the most versatile for long dining rooms and for those who host large groups. It pairs well with benches, allows for head-of-table seats and is easy to find in extendable versions. The oval table, meanwhile, combines the best of both: the capacity of the rectangular and the softness of the round, with corners that don't get in the way when walking past.

Round · Ø120 cm Cambados Dining Table Matte travertine-effect ceramic and a conical ash base. Seats 4 to 6 people.

Oval · 200 × 110 cm Alcobaça Dining Table On marble-effect ceramic with an oval ash base. Seats up to 8 people.

Rectangular · 230 × 110 cm Miranda Dining Table Grey-veined white ceramic on an ash base. Seats 8 to 10 people.

4. Table and chair height

Most dining tables are between 74 and 76 cm high, and chairs have a seat height of between 45 and 48 cm. What matters isn't each measurement on its own, but the difference between them: ideally there should be between 27 and 30 cm from the seat to the top of the table.

If you choose armchairs, also check that the arms fit under the tabletop. It's a small detail that makes a difference when the table is cleared after a meal. You'll find plenty of models in our chairs collection.

5. Materials: beauty and maintenance

The material defines the table's character, but also how much time you'll spend looking after it. It's worth thinking about how the dining room is really used in your home.

If you go for wood, you'll want to read our tips for looking after natural wood furniture.

6. Is an extendable table worth it?

If two or four of you eat together day to day but the family grows several times a year, the answer is yes. An extendable table lets you have a table proportioned to the room most of the time, and gain extra seats only when you need them.

Before buying one, check two things: that the dining room can fit the extended size, walking space included, and that the extension mechanism is simple, because if it's a hassle to open it will end up never being used. The Everglades Extendable Dining Table, round and made of teak, grows by up to 50 cm and is available in three sizes.

7. Bringing it together: lamp and rug

Once the table is chosen, two pieces finish defining the dining room. The pendant lamp should hang about 70-80 cm above the tabletop and cover roughly between half and two thirds of its width. On long tables, two or three lamps in a row work very well.

The rug, if you use one, needs to extend at least 60-70 cm beyond each side of the table, so the chairs don't get stuck halfway when pulled out. We explain this in more detail in rugs that transform a home, and in our guide to choosing the lighting for each room.

And once it's all set up, the best part arrives: dressing it. We give you ideas in how to dress the table for autumn.

Frequently asked questions about dining tables

At Pino & Jacaranda we believe a good dining table isn't chosen with the eyes alone, but by thinking about all the meals, conversations and celebrations it will host.

Because the perfect table is the one that makes no one in a hurry to get up.