Kitchen tables have taken on various roles throughout the years. Limited counter space made it necessary for the kitchen table to double up as a workspace, besides serving as the ritual of family meals. There has been a little stigma about the class of society in using a standard table. This piece of furniture has always been more of a necessity than a distinction of social placement. But the height of the table matters when we look at the inches of space from the floor.
Table of Contents
- How Tall are Kitchen Tables
- Bar-Height Tables and Counters
- Kitchen Counter Tables
- Choosing the Right Size Dining Table
How Tall are Kitchen Tables
Comfort, display, and ease of use are factors you should consider when picking out a table to serve as a general hot spot for families. According to a study conducted by students at the University of Leicester, they found 24 uses for the subject of kitchen tables. Food prep, doing homework in a home office, playing board games, and socializing were among the most popular activities.
Autobiographical sources state the regular height dining tables are 34 to 36 inches from the floor to the top of the table. This has been the standard table height since the early 1600s. Also known as counter height tables, they match the height of the kitchen countertop. Not only does this bring ease to meal preparation, but it also gives the kitchen a more balanced look.
Different shapes and sizes of kitchens today have changed the overall presence of standard height tables. Where once rectangular tables sat in the middle of the kitchen or formed a separation from the living room, a kitchen island now serves as a counter table. Breakfast nooks are also popular.
Standard height dining tables allow for a difference from those of an eat-in kitchen. A kitchen with a kitchen nook table is usually lower than the standard measurements. Designed for smaller spaces, a square table with a height of 28-32 inches is useful. As a general rule, the lower height can accommodate people of varying heights and weights.
The seat height of chairs is shorter than counter stools and includes seat cushions for comfort and look. The chair height should be 18 to 23 inches from the floor to the top of the seat. This provides ample space for people at a range of different heights. Less space can cause an uncomfortable positioning of the body.
Bar-Height Tables and Counters
Having a bar separating the cooking area became a novel idea in the late 1940s as open spaces appeared. A wall no longer blocked the kitchen from conversations with family members in another room. Bar height tables are useful in a kitchen corner if there is only a small space to work with.
Bar height stools are the best choice for bar height dining. The distance between the stools should be 6 inches between seats that have a 16 to 18-inch width. Bar chairs that measure 18 inches or wider are best arranged between 8-10 inches apart. Crowding seats along a kitchen bar can be uncomfortable for guests. Planning for the right inches of space will make the seating appear proportionate to the bar table.
Kitchen Counter Tables
Counter-height tables are an excellent choice for adding a traditional feel. Wrapped around the outskirts of the prep area, the look is clean and balanced. Counter height stools of matching style and evenly spaced are an important factor in bringing about an aesthetic effect. This counter height dining is just right for breakfast and lunch gatherings.
We can also feature a round table or pub tables in a kitchen or recreation room where a unique look is desirable. For instance, 36 to 42 inches is the normal height for these tall skinny tables. Impressive when tucked in a shadowed corner, the accompanying bar stools range from 29 to 30 inches from floor to seat.
Choosing the Right Size Dining Table
Always measure your existing dining table and the dining area before shopping for a new dining set. Small dining spaces may not be accepting of large formal dining tables. The last thing that you want is for your new dining table to have an awkward appearance in your dining space.
If you are changing the shape of the table to deliver a new style, consider your lifestyle first. Not all spaces can fit formal dining tables in the room allowed. Consider carefully your planned use of an existing set of chairs.
New dining chairs of smaller or larger widths can update the style nicely. Make sure the distance between the top of the chair and the bottom of the table gives enough space for movement. Sometimes a lip along the outer edge of the table can cut a table short in the leg room.
I almost always recommend a regular height dining table for large gatherings of people. A side buffet table or console tables contribute as additional serving spaces. If larger groups of people are not entertained often, more options are available.
A square table or a square bar of raised height may fit your family’s needs perfectly. When enough room is available, a high table of contemporary style can become a focal point. There are many different collections available for this purpose.
For example, a great option for a taller table height of a modern style of table is a round, glass-topped version that is accented with rich wood and upholstered chairs. Although the standard height of a dining room table is 34-36 inches from the floor to the tabletop, having a lower or higher height is possible.
The standard dining table height is only a guideline that is used to make your dining experience more comfortable. We should give consideration to the head of the table as well as the younger ones.
Unless you have a table custom-made, the difference in inches between a regular table or a counter height table may seem too close to matter that much. However, it can have a huge effect on comfort and looks.
Do not rely on the common heights of traditional dining tables when shopping for your next purchase. Instead, jot down the style of the table, the dimensions of large or small rooms, the best table height, and seek help from an interior decorator in the store.
The right dining table and chairs can add a fresh approach to the aesthetic appeal of your eating area. A good rule of thumb is to measure your existing dining set and compare it to what you have in mind for a new look.
There is a significant difference in the regular height dining tables. It is especially important when shopping online to be as accurate as possible with sizes. The correct style, size, and placement will determine a good or bad outcome for your perfect design.
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Karen Garton, Senior Writer
Experienced Writer with 20+ years. Demonstrated writing experience includes technical writing, magazines, story writing, and journalist projects. Karen has a powerful media and communication background with academic training from LaSalle University (architecture, interior design) and business college courses. She loves editing novels and contributed to a national art journal. See her detailed profile on Our Team page.
