Are you planning to invest in a new dining table and still hesitating about which model to adopt? The table is an essential element of the dining room and is the most important piece of furniture because it allows the whole family to be together during the meal.
If the dining table comes in different shapes, round and rectangular tables are certainly the most popular models.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of a round table? What are the strengths and weaknesses of a rectangular table?
We take stock with you to help you choose the dining table best suited to the expectations and needs of your home.
Rectangular table: its main advantages
If the rectangular table is certainly the most common table shape, it is perhaps above all due to the fact that it is the most practical form. Because most dining rooms are elongated, this table shape is therefore all the more natural.
It is also perfectly suited for seating more than four people, especially as its shape makes it easy to integrate an extension system to accommodate additional guests.
The rectangular table with extension leaves is available in various versions, making it possible to use an extendable table. In some models, the extensions are integrated directly into the table frame and are therefore invisible when the table is folded down.
In contrast to rectangular tables with non-integrated extension leaves, you don't have to make room in your home for extension leaves when you're not using them.
Ideally, a rectangular table should be between 36" and 46" wide to serve as a dining table. Above 36" wide, it will be difficult to position two pieces of cutlery on either side and to have enough space on the top to position the different elements of the meal.
If the dining room is small, you can nevertheless choose a narrower model of rectangular table. In this case, you may want to have a buffet nearby to arrange the dishes and facilitate table service.
The round table and its advantages
The first asset of a round table in a dining room is certainly its decorative side. It is the trendy table shape that can be found everywhere today in shops and in magazine photos.
Rectangular tables are often used in large dining rooms, but round tables are often preferred in smaller or square rooms.
It lends itself ideally to small gatherings by allowing everyone to see everyone. It favours conversations with several people, places each person at the table on an equal footing and more easily creates a comfortable and intimate atmosphere.
The central foot is also a significant advantage of the round table. With it, the table legs end up between the knees. It also makes it easier to increase the number of guests at the table. However, in order to accommodate a maximum number of guests, you will have to choose stools or folding chairs that are less greedy in place than classic chairs.
Note that much rarer than their rectangular counterparts, there are also round extensible tables whose size can be adjusted according to your needs thanks to a more or less complex system of extensions.
Rectangular tables and round tables: each with its faults
While the rectangular table is undeniably practical and functional, it also has a few minor flaws.
Less decorative and less original than the round table, it is also more imposing and more difficult to move around the room. If you have small children in your household, you should make sure that the four corners of the tabletop are protected to prevent accidents.
The four legs of the rectangular table often cause discomfort for people sitting at the table, so it is also important to choose an ergonomically correct leg shape.
The round table is not without its drawbacks either. It may be suitable for small numbers of people, but it is not necessarily suitable for large numbers of people. Even with an extension device, the inevitable increase in the diameter of the circle will inevitably disrupt the conversation and force the guests to raise their voices somewhat.
Another not insignificant flaw of the Round Table is the special place it occupies. You will not be able to position it against a wall, so it will necessarily have to sit as centrally as possible in the room. It is therefore difficult to envisage a round table in a small dining room that already has other furniture such as a sideboard or china cabinet.
Finally, a rectangular table or a round table, each of the two shapes has its strengths and limitations. According to your personal sensitivity and by analysing the advantages and disadvantages of each of these two forms, it is up to you to choose the type of table that will best suit your needs.