Do you like round or rectangular dining tables? And why?!

[LauraPashley]

We are in the fortunate position of redoing our kitchen, basically knocking down walls to make a kitchen/diner. We have a space for a table just beyond the kitchen and have been humming and hawing over what way to place a rectangular table. A round table would fit much better tbh but I have this mental image of a lovely big farmhouse type table...any thoughts? Is round restrictive?

If you have the space I'd go for round. I love round tables, think they are more sociable and no one gets a rubbish seat. Having said that we have a rectangular because of the shape of our kitchen. I seat people differently depending how many we are. So eg if wear are three we sit round one end so no one feels like the extra person.

You can get round tables that fit extra leaves in to make them oval: would that work do you think? We have a folding "butterfly" table in our medium-sized kitchen and a oval main dining table. I like the oval one better but that's just what we ended up with rather than an active choice...

I like rectangular but with the legs/table support in the middle of the table not at the corners.

Round/oval are nice but don't seem make the most of the available space in a room.

Aah hadn't thought about extra leaves/extending etc. My day dreams involve a big solid oak slab of a table, but the reality of that is that we'd be bumping off the walls, edging our way round it etc!

It depends on the proportions of the room - the shape has to be right for the available space otherwise it just 'feels' wrong.

It's going to be quite a square shape room. Square table?!

Round/oval as you can squeeze more people in.

I came on to say what primallass said.

Well if you want square and have £300 going spare, this one is oak...maybe worth looking for secondhand if that's above budget? i know it's not as rustic as you were thinking but if it fits the room shape...

extending square table

I like round tables. Much more sociable and always seem to be able to squeeze more people around it. We have one with a hidden inset which enlarges to oval shape. It also has a central pedestal for the base so no one gets the table leg. Ours is looking rather tatty and would like to replace but sadly limited choice at the moment as not fashionable shape but choice is improving.

Well I like a rectangular table because I sew and it's just easier to do on a straight bit of table. Otherwise I end up sitting at a funny angle or leaning over too much. I'm probably in the minority though!

square room = round table usually i'd say, if you put in a rectangular one you'll have issues with the two sides where the wall is closer rather than having it sit nicely in the space.
sorry.

I prefer rectangular ones, but that's because they go with my other furniture & rooms and I'm another one who uses it to sew, so needs a straight edge.

Badguider that is what I'm thinking, a rectangular one might never fit quite right?

Round ones seem a bit (sorry!) dated in my eyes, reminds me of old fashioned dining room sets, but I need to look around at what's out there!

Agree round is more sociable. Also, I think they were a bit dated, but are getting more popular now - and rectangular tables have been so ubiquitous that in a few more years they'll probably look old fashioned.

Hmm I love my massive farmhouse table so I am with you on that, round tables just seem a bit 80s to me as that's what we had...in teak.
It seems more country to me to have a rectangular chunky table, but we live in an old barn so if your house is modern it's not quite the same.

For a square room a round table would be better.
Do you like the Saarinen style tables? They don't look 1980s,
This is a copy to give you an idea of style
www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Reproduction-of-design-by-Eero-Saarinen-Tulip-Table-90cms-White-Fibreglass-/230985707777?pt=UK_BOI_Office_Equipment_Supplies_Office_Furniture_ET&hash=item35c7d23101

Oh thanks for that pic! Lovely, def not 80s! Also someone above mentioned noone getting the "leg seat" which is a good point.

Technically speaking we will have a square space in a rectangular room space, so it's not enclosed, but defined by doors, breakfast bar type thing etc.

Will big farmhouse tables be as dated as round teak things soon then?!