Tips & tricks
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How much space do you need around a garden table?
Looking for the perfect garden table? You’ll want enough space to sit comfortably, get up easily and move around the table without bumping into anything. After all, no matter how beautiful your garden set is, constantly hitting the fence or a planter with your chair can quickly take the fun out of a relaxing meal.
So, how much space do you really need around a garden table? We’re here to help you work it out!
The golden rule: leave at least 70 cm of space
As a general rule, it’s best to allow at least 70 cm of space between the edge of the table and a wall, fence, planter or other obstacles.
You need this space to pull your chair back and sit down or stand up comfortably.
Want a little more room to move around? Then 90 to 100 cm around the table is even more comfortable. This is especially useful if you often enjoy long meals, regularly have guests over or need to be able to walk behind seated guests.
In short:
- 70 cm: the minimum space needed to pull a chair back.
- 90 cm: comfortable and practical for everyday use.
- 100–120 cm: ideal if you also want enough space to walk comfortably behind the chairs.
Don’t forget to allow space for the chairs
When choosing the perfect spot for your garden table, it’s easy to focus only on the size of the tabletop. But don’t forget that your garden chairs need space too.
Let’s say your table measures 200 x 100 cm. If you want to leave around 90 cm of space around it, you’ll ideally need an area of about:
380 x 280 cm
This gives you plenty of room for the chairs and makes it easy to move around the table comfortably.
Have a small garden or a compact patio? No problem. You can make the most of your space by choosing chairs that can be tucked neatly under the table when they’re not in use. That way, you can enjoy a comfortable dining area without taking up more space than necessary.
How Much Space Do You Need per Person?
It’s important to make sure everyone has enough room at the table too. As a general rule, allow around 60 cm of table space per person for a comfortable dining experience.
For example:
- A 160 cm table comfortably seats around 4 to 6 people.
- A 200 cm table is a good fit for around 6 people.
- A 240 cm table can comfortably seat up to 8 people.
Of course, the type of chairs you choose also makes a difference. Wide lounge chairs or chairs with armrests need more space than compact dining chairs.
Have a round table? Don’t forget to leave enough space around it!
A round garden table is perfect for relaxed, social meals: everyone can see each other, and no one is stuck sitting at the “end” of the table. But here too, it’s important to consider more than just the table’s diameter.
For example, if you have a round table with a 120 cm diameter and want to leave 90 cm of space around it, you’ll need a patio area of approximately 300 x 300 cm.
With a larger round table, the space you need around it quickly increases. So, be sure to measure your patio carefully before ordering your favourite table.
Small garden or patio? Make every inch count!
Not everyone has a huge garden. Luckily, you can still create a cosy dining area on a compact patio or terrace.
Here are a few smart tips:
- Choose chairs without armrests if space is limited.
- Tuck the chairs as far under the table as possible when they’re not in use.
- Choose an extendable garden table if you don’t always need extra seating.
- Place a bench along one side of the table. It often takes up less space than several individual chairs.
- Think carefully about the main walkways to your back door, garden or barbecue.
In the end, a smaller table that fits comfortably into your outdoor space is often a better choice than a large table that leaves you with hardly any room to move around.
Measure first, enjoy for years
Before choosing a new garden table, it’s a good idea to look beyond the table’s dimensions. Measure the entire space and remember to allow room for the chairs as well as enough space to move around comfortably.
A useful rule of thumb is:
Table dimensions + at least 140 cm in both length and width for chairs and movement.
Want extra comfort and plenty of room to walk around the table? Allow 180 to 240 cm of additional space, depending on how much room you want around the table.
That way, you can make sure your new dining area not only looks great but works well too. After all, enjoying meals outdoors, drinks with friends and long summer evenings is even better when everyone has plenty of room to relax.