What is the simple rule for how much clearance to leave around a dining table?

We plan for 90-110 cm of clear space from the table edge to the nearest wall or furniture so people can sit, pull out a chair and walk behind it without squeezing; less feels tight, more gives a relaxed flow.

How do I measure my room to check if a table will fit comfortably?

We measure the room’s clear dimensions (excluding fixed counters or islands), note the table length and width we want, then add 90-110 cm on all sides as a baseline and check door and appliance swings.

Can we use less than 90 cm clearance in a small flat?

Yes - for very compact or seldom-used dining areas we recommend planning for 75-85 cm and choosing space-saving options like armless chairs or a bench, while accepting a more intimate experience.

What clearance should we allow if people will walk behind seated diners often?

For a passage behind seated diners or two-way traffic, we suggest at least 100-120 cm so people can pass comfortably, and if you serve buffet-style ensure one side has about 120 cm for serving.

How do table shape and chair type affect the clearance we need?

We favour round or oval tables in tight layouts because they suit movement better, and we measure the folded depth or widest chair (especially with arms) to add the correct clearance rather than relying on a generic number.

How much space to leave around a dining table

Practical South African guidance on how much clearance to leave around a dining table, room examples, measuring checklist and shopping links on Bash.

Published:July 10, 2026

Updated:September 9, 2026

5 min read

Photo by Curtis Adams on Pexels

Baseline clearance

Plan 90-110 cm from table edge to obstruction for comfortable seating and movement.

How much space to leave around a dining table - the simple rule

We keep things simple: plan for enough circulation so people can sit down, pull out a chair and walk behind it without squeezing. The easy baseline most designers use is 90-110 cm of clear space from the table edge to the nearest wall or furniture - less than that feels tight, more gives a relaxed flow. Below we explain how to apply that rule to real South African homes, show exceptions, and give quick checks before you buy.

Why this matters for day-to-day life

Small differences in clearance change how we use a dining room. At 60-80 cm people can sit, but chairs need careful positioning and someone always has to shuffle. At 90-110 cm adults can push a chair back and pass behind comfortably. At 120 cm and above, a walk-through space feels generous enough for a server or someone carrying dishes. We recommend designing for the typical users in your home - children, older family members, or frequent entertaining will push you toward the larger end of the range.

Measuring your space - quick checklist

Measure the room’s clear dimensions (exclude built-in counters or fixed islands).
Note the table size you prefer (length x width) and add 90-110 cm on all sides for typical use.
If your layout includes a passage behind seated diners, allow at least 100-120 cm for comfortable two-way traffic.
Check door swings, appliance doors (if in an open-plan kitchen), and gate/wardrobe openings - those may reduce usable clearance.

Common table sizes and how they fit

A few practical examples make this easier to imagine. A 160 x 90 cm rectangular table plus 90 cm clearance needs a room that is about 340 x 270 cm. A circular dining table of 120 cm diameter needs roughly 300 cm across the room to hit the same comfortable range. We often recommend rounding up to the next 10 cm when planning - margins help when chairs have arms or when a runner or high-backed chairs are used.

Practical tip: measure the folded depth of your chairs (or the widest chair you’ll use). If a chair with arms needs 60 cm from table edge, factor that instead of a generic number.

When you can choose smaller clearance

There are sensible reasons to use less than 90 cm: very compact flats, seldom-used dining areas, or when the room functions primarily as other living space. In those cases plan for 75-85 cm and accept a more intimate, compact experience. Choose armless chairs and consider a bench on one side to save space - benches tuck under the table better than chairs. If you plan to fit a table into an open-plan kitchen, measure appliance door swings so that, for example, an oven or fridge won’t conflict with chair movement.

For product browsing, we often point customers to our Tables collection when they want practical options that fit standard room clearances. Explore Tables to check sizes and filter by length and shape.

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Room shapes, traffic flow and special cases

Rooms aren’t perfect rectangles. In narrow spaces, place the long side of a rectangular table along the longer wall and leave wider clearance at the entry side. In open-plan layouts, think in zones: a 100-120 cm circulation path behind diners keeps the kitchen and living area usable while seated. If the dining area doubles as a study or homework station, add storage away from the table edge so that drawers don’t fight with chairs.

How to choose by lifestyle - short decision steps

If we host often and have older guests, design for 100-120 cm around the table.
If we have young children, pick wipe-clean surfaces and leave extra space for a high chair or booster beside an adult seat.
If we entertain in shifts (buffet style), ensure at least one side has 120 cm clearance to serve from.
If space is tight, favour a round or oval table - they fit movement better in constrained layouts.

Examples with South African home scenarios

A two-bedroom apartment in Cape Town with a 3.2 x 3.0 m living/dining zone works well with a 120-140 cm round table if we keep 90-100 cm clearance toward the couch. For a freestanding dining room in a suburban home where the room is 4.0 x 3.6 m, a 180 x 100 cm table plus 100-110 cm clearance leaves room for a sideboard and a server; see our Planning home furniture by room with a flexible, future-first approach article for broader layout patterns.

Buying and measuring checklist before you order

Measure the usable floor area and mark the proposed table footprint with tape.
Set out the same number of chairs you plan to use and sit in each position to test movement.
Check nearby storage or appliance doors; allow extra if they open into the dining zone.
Consider table extension leaves - plan clearance for the table when fully extended.

Where to look on Bash for matching products

Once we’ve measured, it’s straightforward to filter product lists by tabletop length and shape. Browse our Dining Room collection under Dining Room and check related decorating choices in Home Fragrance when finishing the space. For compact living, our Tables category has round and extendable options that work well in tighter clearances.

Final practical checks before you commit

Tape out the table and chair zone, live with it for a day if possible, and adjust. If you plan to buy new chairs, measure their depth including any upholstery. When estimating costs for a dining set, medium-quality solid timber tables commonly start around R3 500-R8 000 in the South African market depending on size and finish; use this as a rough planning figure and check product pages for current pricing and delivery options.

Sources

National Home Builders Registration Council (NHBRC)
South African Bureau of Standards (SABS)
How much space around a dining table - Houzz idea book

Last updated: September 9, 2026

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How much space to leave around a dining table

Baseline clearance

Why Choose Bash?

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Why Choose Bash?

Free Delivery

30-Day Returns

Nationwide Support

Measure and tape

Adjust for lifestyle

How much space to leave around a dining table - the simple rule

Why this matters for day-to-day life

Measuring your space - quick checklist

Common table sizes and how they fit

When you can choose smaller clearance

Room shapes, traffic flow and special cases

How to choose by lifestyle - short decision steps

Examples with South African home scenarios

Buying and measuring checklist before you order

Where to look on Bash for matching products

Final practical checks before you commit

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