What do you decorate a dining table with?

When it’s not in use, a dining table can function as a decorative space on which to place items such as candles, vases and décor bowls. For some people, a simple tablecloth will be enough, but others may be looking for a bit more flair.

No matter the size of your dining table, you should aim to keep decorative elements modest, unless you’re going for a seasonal display. One to three decorative items should be enough to dress up your dining room table.

What should a dining table’s height be?

A standard dining table will be around 72-76cm high. This is to compliment the height of most dining chairs, which have seats approximately 45cm off the ground.

The only exception to this is bar tables, kids tables and Japanese dining tables. Bar tables tend to be higher off the ground; around one metre. Kids tables are typically around 50cm off the ground, and Japanese dining tables are no taller than 30cm.

How do you pick the right size dining table?

Choosing the right size dining table can be tricky, as no two dining rooms are the same. Here are some steps to help you pick a dining table that fits well in your space:

1. Measure out how wide and long your dining room is.
2. Your table needs around 1m clearance on all sides, so subtract 200cm from your above measurements.
3. You’ll now have the measurements for the largest-size dining table that could fit in your space. If you can, choose a table smaller than these measurements to ensure you can comfortably walk around the table.

There are other considerations you also have to make when buying a new dining table aside from the size. Learn more in our How To Choose The Right Dining Table Set For Your Home buying guide.