The Complete Guide to Buying a 6 Seater Dining Table Online

To buy a 6 seater dining table online with confidence, measure your room first, then check four things on every product page: the table’s exact length and width, the leg position, the tabletop material and the assembly requirements. Most rectangular six seaters are somewhere around 150 to 180 centimetres long, while round versions tend to sit around 120 to 150 centimetres across. The right size is the one that leaves enough space to pull chairs out and walk past comfortably.

Buying furniture you cannot touch can feel like a leap, but a careful approach removes most of the guesswork. This guide takes you through measuring, choosing a shape and material, reading product descriptions properly and preparing for delivery, so the table that arrives is the one you pictured.

Step One: Measure the Room, Not Just the Space

Start by measuring the whole dining area, wall to wall, and note anything that interrupts it: radiators, doors that swing inwards, fireplaces, window seats and floor vents. Then mark out the table itself.

A common guide is to allow around 90 centimetres between the edge of the table and the nearest wall or obstacle. That gives space to pull a chair out, sit down and have someone squeeze behind. If the space is also a walkway, for example between the kitchen and the garden doors, allow a little more.

A simple trick is to lay out the table’s footprint on the floor with masking tape or flattened cardboard boxes. Leave it for a day or two. Walk around it, open the doors, carry a tray past. You will quickly discover whether the size works in real life.

Step Two: Choose a Shape That Suits the Room

Rectangular

The most common shape for six people, usually with two seats on each long side and one at each end. It suits long, narrow rooms and kitchen extensions. A rectangle can sit against a wall with a bench on one side when space is tight.

Round

A round six seater works well in square rooms and encourages conversation. It needs a larger diameter than people expect to seat six comfortably, and it takes up more floor area in a narrow room than a rectangle would.

Oval

An oval combines the capacity of a rectangle with rounded ends that are easier to walk around. It is a thoughtful choice for open plan spaces with plenty of foot traffic.

Square

Square tables usually seat four, but larger square designs can seat eight. A true six seater is rarely square, so check the listed seating carefully if you are drawn to this shape.

Step Three: Think About Leg Position

This is the detail most often overlooked when buying online. A table’s listed seating capacity assumes chairs fit between the legs. Corner legs usually allow two chairs per long side, while legs set in from the corners can make seats at the ends more comfortable. A pedestal or twin pedestal base gives the most flexibility, as there are no corner legs at all.

Look at product photos taken from the side and from underneath if available. If the description gives the distance between the legs, compare it with the width of your chosen chairs, including any arms.

Step Four: Pick a Material for How You Live

Wood and wood veneer

Wood is warm, forgiving and suits almost any style. Solid wood can often be refinished if it gets marked, while good veneers offer consistent grain at a lighter weight. Our 6 seater wooden dining table sets UK bring the table and chairs together in matching tones, which takes some of the guesswork out of buying online.

Glass

Tempered glass keeps a room feeling open and is easy to wipe clean. It is a good option for smaller dining rooms where a solid top would feel heavy. Our modern 6 seater glass dining sets UK pair clear tops with chairs chosen to complement the frame.

High gloss

Gloss brings colour, reflection and a sleek, contemporary look. It wipes clean easily but shows fingerprints, so it suits households that do not mind a quick polish. Browse our high gloss dining table and 6 chairs UK sale collection to see how coordinated sets look in different colours.

Marble and stone

Stone tops look substantial and hard wearing, but they are heavy. Check that your floor is level and sturdy, and consider how many people will be needed to move the table into place.

Step Five: Read the Product Page Like a Detective

Product descriptions contain more useful information than many buyers realise. Before adding a table to your basket, confirm:

• Exact dimensions: length, width and height. Standard dining height sits around 75 centimetres, but it varies, and it affects which chairs will fit underneath.
• Extended dimensions: if the table extends, note both sizes and plan the room for the larger one.
• Materials: is the top solid wood, veneer, lacquer, glass or stone? Is the frame metal or wood?
• Finish and care: some finishes need particular cleaning products. Knowing this in advance prevents surprises.
• Assembly: many tables arrive with legs to attach. Check whether tools are included and whether two people are needed.
• Weight: relevant for stairs, upper floor flats and rooms reached through narrow hallways.

Step Six: Match the Chairs Properly

Chairs can be bought as part of a set or separately. Buying a set guarantees that heights and proportions work together. Buying separately gives more freedom but requires a little more checking.

The key measurement is the gap between the chair seat and the underside of the table, which should leave comfortable space for knees. Around 25 to 30 centimetres is a helpful general guide. If the table has a deep apron, that gap shrinks, so check the apron height as well as the overall table height.

Chairs with arms need extra width and may not slide fully under the table. If you want armchairs, consider using them only at the ends. Our modern dining chairs UK range lists seat heights and widths to make this comparison easier.

Step Seven: Consider an Extending Table

If you seat six only occasionally, an extending table that opens from four to six, or from six to eight, can keep your room more spacious day to day. Measure the room for the extended size, and check where the extra leaf is stored. Integrated leaves that fold inside the table are the most convenient.

Step Eight: Prepare for Delivery

A dining table is one of the larger items you will buy for your home, so a little preparation makes delivery day smoother.

• Measure doorways, hallways, stair turns and lift doors, and compare them with the packaged dimensions if provided.
• Clear a path from the front door to the dining room.
• Protect flooring if the table is heavy, particularly with stone tops.
• Have a second person available if assembly requires two.
• Keep packaging until you have checked the table over for any issues.

We offer free delivery to most UK mainland postcodes, and Returns are available up to 30 days, which gives you time to live with the table and be sure of it.

Checking Colours and Finishes From a Screen

Screens display colour differently, and room lighting changes how a finish looks at home. To reduce surprises, look at several product photos taken in different settings, read the written description of the colour and finish, and compare it with items you already own. A white gloss may look bright and cool in one photo and softer in another. A walnut veneer can appear lighter in daylight than under warm evening bulbs.

It also helps to consider the surrounding room. Hold up a paint chart, cushion or floor sample next to your screen and ask whether the table would sit comfortably alongside it.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Choosing a table that fits the room but leaves no space to pull chairs out.
• Forgetting that armchairs take more width than side chairs.
• Buying chairs separately without checking seat height against table height.
• Assuming a round table will save space in a narrow room.
• Choosing a delicate finish for a busy household without considering daily wear.

Styling Your New Table

Once your table arrives, a few finishing touches pull the room together. A rug large enough for chairs to stay on when pulled back defines the dining zone. A pendant light centred over the table anchors it visually. A sideboard nearby keeps table linen and serving pieces close at hand without cluttering the tabletop.

You can explore tables, chairs and complementary storage together at Furniture in Fashion, where product pages include full measurements to help you plan.

Frequently Asked Questions

What size is a 6 seater dining table?

Rectangular six seaters are commonly around 150 to 180 centimetres long and 80 to 100 centimetres wide. Round versions are often around 120 to 150 centimetres in diameter. Always check the specific product dimensions.

How much space do I need around a 6 seater table?

Allowing roughly 90 centimetres from the table edge to walls or furniture gives enough space to pull out chairs and walk behind them comfortably.

Is it better to buy a dining set or separate pieces?

A set guarantees compatible heights and a coordinated look. Separate pieces allow more personal choice but require careful checking of seat and table heights.

Can a round table seat six people?

Yes, provided the diameter is large enough. Check the listed seating and consider chair width, as bulky chairs can make a round table feel crowded.

Do dining tables arrive assembled?

Many arrive partly assembled, with legs or a base to attach. The product description will usually explain what is needed.