How do I know what size dinning room to seek if I want 10 to 12 to sit comfortably. Is 13' x13' OK?

antiquesonthehunt
Contributions:2

We are considering moving so we can have a bigger dinning area. We want to seat 10 to 12 comfortably. If I use calculations from the web, it figures that 16 x 13 would be required. How many could sit comfortably in a 13 x13 dinning room - that's the size of our favorite house so far.

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October 01 2009 - Tulsa

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Answers (3)

Pasadenan
Contributions:21458

I have served 20 people in an 8 ft x 20 ft dining room, including some requiring power wheelchairs. I figure one or two people at the ends, and 2 ft per person at the sides. It does make serving a bit more difficult, but as long as the cook is at the kitchen door, and no one plans to get up, it works, especially if doors open out from the dinning area, and there are more doors so that people don't feel trapped.

For a square room, you may consider an oval or round table, and a large lazy susan in the middle. Visit some Chinese Restaurants and see how they seat large groups of people fairly compactly.

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October 02 2009

Diane Houston, "HoustonService"
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I did a little research for you. The minimum size room appears to be 36 inches between the wall and your table. The ideal size appears to be 42 inches between the wall and the table. Do you have already have a table that fits 12 people? All you need to do is measure it and add 36 or 42 inches to see if it is equal to or less than 13 feet. If you don't already have the table, try using the size of 48" by 108". (108" is 9 feet. That plus 42 inches is less than 13 feet.) You need to make sure the chairs you will use fit the table. Usually chairs need to be a minimum of 20. Even that wlll be tight. You also need to think about the size of your guests, too. If they are larger people, you want to make sure they are comfortable. The smaller room size may not work with larger people. Do you want some good news? I find that people don't care if they all fit in the same room. They are just happy I invited them and we all have a good time.

I hope this helps.

Diane Houston, Broker
Mortgages and Real Estate, San Jose, California

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October 01 2009

Denise Laugesen, "dlaugesen"
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Dear antiques on the hunt,

If your favorite home has a 13 x 13 dining room, then maybe you need to ask yourself, how often do I seat 12 people in my dining room, if it is only during the holidays you can probably make do, set up an additional table in your living room, maybe separate the children from the adults, believe me, when I was a kid, I loved having my own table with my cousins.

Let's say you have 10 children plus you and your wife, you won't be happy in that space, anyway you can open up a wall so that the living and dining room are l large open space, then you won't feel cramped.
I would think the minimum area reguired for 12 people, sitting comfortable at a dining room table would be 14 x 16, do u have a buffet and hutch, if so, you may need a larger room.
good luck to you and I hope you find your dream home.
Cheers
denise laugesesn
#1 Producing Agent
Cashin Company

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