Comfort 101: Ergonomics Of Dining Table And Chairs

When most of us think of doing up our interiors, what comes to mind is the colour palettes, material finishes and décor themes. We agonise over the choice between wallpaper and textured paint, and we worry about whether or not we need a false ceiling in the bedroom! While all of that is undeniably important, a crucial aspect that is often overlooked is the ergonomics of the furniture. What is ergonomics, and why is it so important to interior design?

Ergonomics is the study of enhancing human efficiency, by designing products that ensure comfort and wellness. Furniture that is ergonomic will match the curve of your body, help you to maintain the right posture, heighten your work efficiency and allow you to function without strain.

With the increasing awareness around healthful living and optimal working conditions, choosing furniture that is ergonomically designed should be one of your most important priorities! We’re here to talk about the ergonomics of dining tables and chairs, and round up some solutions that work for your home.

What should You Look for When Choosing a Dining Table Set?

To start with, how many people do you plan to seat at the table, and how big is the dining area in your home?  What is your preferred shape of table-rectangle, square, circular or oval? A rectangular table is often more functional than a circular one, especially if your family is large.

Circular or square tables usually work well when they seat not more than 6 people. A larger circle will have dead space in the middle that cannot be easily accessed from any side.

Choose the table size and shape that best suits the dimensions of your dining room. A round table will look out of place in a long, narrow room.

Here are some Measurements You should Keep in Mind:

• The standard height of a dining tabletop is between 28 and 30 inches from the ground, or about 70 to 75 centimetres.
• Chairs usually have a seat height of around 18 to 20 inches, which is about 45 to 50 centimetres.
• The vertical distance between the seat of the chair and the bottom of the table should be 10 inches or 25 centimetres for optimal comfort.
• When you sit on the dining chair, you should have enough space to fit your legs below without hitting the table pedestal or legs.

What should the Width and Length of the Table Be?

If your table is rectangular, the ideal width is 36 inches or 90 centimetres. A table that is too wide will lose intimacy, and it will be difficult to hand dishes to each other across the table. Each person will need at least 60 centimetres of width at the table, for comfortable seating and to prevent elbows from touching. Dining table chairs without arms are generally preferred.

The ready reckoner below indicates the standard dining table sizes for different shapes of tables. Note that all dimensions are in inches.

A Rectangular or Oval table

To seat 4: 36 inches in width, a minimum of 48 inches in length, and 30 inches in height.

To seat 4 to 6: 36 inches in width, a minimum of 60 inches in length, and 30 inches in height

To seat 6 to 8: 36 inches in width, a minimum of 78 inches in length, and 30 inches in height

A Square Table

To seat 4: Each side should be 36 inches wide

To seat 4 to 6: Each side should be approximately 44 inches wide

A Round Table

To seat 4: 36 to 44 inches diameter

To seat 4 to 6: 44 to 54 inches diameter

To seat 6 to 8: 54 to 72 inches diameter

Ergonomics of a Breakfast Counter

An informal breakfast counter that’s part of the kitchen is always a good idea, and works well if you’re grabbing a quick meal or a cup of coffee.  If you’re planning to draw up chairs at the kitchen counter, then your tabletop height will be the same as the counter, which is roughly 33 to 36 inches or 82 to 90 centimetres high. As with the dining table, make sure that there is at least 10 inches or 25 centimetres between the seat and the counter, so that you can sit comfortably, without your knees touching the bottom of the counter.

Choosing the Right Chair

Dining table chairs are not expected to be in use for a very long time, and so there is a little more flexibility in design than that of an office chair. Since mealtimes are usually short, the back support of the chair assumes less importance and you can choose the chairs based on aesthetics rather than pure functionality.

However, make sure to pick chairs that have a stable base, a comfortable seat and an adequate depth. Also, do ensure that the chairs slide under the table easily when not in use, and don’t bump into the table base or legs.

A new trend in informal dining is to use mismatched chairs—or even a long bench instead of chairs on one side of the table!

Circulation Space

How much space should you leave all around the table? For ease of circulation, you should leave at least 36 inches or 90 centimetres all around the table, after the chairs are drawn out. Also, it goes without saying that you should never have the table too close to a wall—the room will look small and cramped!

While aesthetics is of course a very important consideration when you’re doing up your home, you must strike the right balance between beauty and efficiency.  Do you need help picking the right dining table and chairs for your new home? Talk to the experts at HomeLane today!