When decorating, it is best to have a clear distinction between formal and informal dining. Informal dining may be as casual as eating your dinner on a TV tray, while formal dining is most appropriate when featuring a large table with plenty of space and chairs. Aesthetic appeal is one main factor in formal dining, but you also want your table to be functional. If you need some guidance on how many guests can comfortably fit at your table, or how much space is appropriate for each place setting, check out the following tips:
1. Each place setting should have its own 24 inches of space. Room permitting, 30 inches is ideal for optimal comfort.
2. Determine whether or not your table has a “low apron”. A low apron is the wooden panel under the tabletop that may hinder your dinner guests from crossing their legs. If your table does have a low apron, make sure that your chairs are of a height that can accommodate it.
3. Be careful with bench seating. If you do decide to use a bench, make sure that it is high enough so that your guests are situated at a comfortable distance from the table top.
4. Make sure that the arms of your dining chairs are low enough to slide beneath the table. If the chair’s arms do bump into the table you can always purchase devices to increase the height of your table.
5. Allow at least 24 inches of room behind each chair when someone is seated in it. This is a safe distance for people to pass behind when leaving or serving the table.
6. At larger gatherings, you are better off setting an additional table to accommodate extra guests, rather than crowding one table.
via: For Dummies
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