A table for 8 people

The short answer

For eight people you need a long table of about 240 x 110 cm, or a round table of Ø 180 cm. At those sizes everyone has their own place, even with serving dishes, bottles and a few candles on the table.

If eight need to fit around a smaller table, Ø 160 cm or a long table of 220 cm also works. You then sit closer together: cosy for a party, less generous for every day.

How to work it out

The rule of thumb is simple: allow 70 cm of table edge per person to dine comfortably, and 60 cm if you sit a little closer.

At a long table, eight people usually sit three along each long side and one at each end. Three people side by side need 210 cm. At the ends the table must be wide enough for someone to sit there: allow 100 to 110 cm. That brings you to a table of about 240 x 110 cm.

If you would rather keep the ends free, four people sit along each long side. Then you need 280 cm or more. With a round table, you work with the circumference: Ø 180 cm gives 565 cm of edge, more than 70 cm for each of the eight.

Which tables work for eight

These are the tables for eight we make most often, with the guide price including VAT and a fully rounded edge:

Worth noting: a classic oval needs more length for eight than the other ovals. The curves of a pure ellipse cost some space. A Swedish oval, a rectangle with large soft corners, already seats eight at 240 cm.

Round or long?

A round table of Ø 180 cm is lovely for eight: everyone sees everyone and nobody sits at the head. It does need a square space. With 80 to 90 cm of free space all round, you need about 340 to 360 cm square.

If your dining room is longer than it is wide, an oval table fits better. For 240 x 110 cm you need a space of about 400 x 270 cm. A Finnish oval has straight long sides and semicircular ends, so there is more room at the ends. A Danish oval is fuller and looks rounder. You can see every shape under oval dining tables, and the choice between round and oval is explained in Round or oval table: which one suits you?

And if it is sometimes ten?

If you are usually six and now and then ten, choose a table that grows with you. A Finnish or Danish oval table of 280 x 120 cm seats 6 to 10 people, for €3,349. For even larger groups, read on in A table for 10 or 12 people.

Because we make every table to measure, you choose the length from 120 to 360 cm and the width from 80 to 180 cm, to the centimetre. After your quote we make the technical drawing for free, with every dimension and the chairs drawn in. That way you see in advance how eight people sit at your table.