The dining room is an intimate area where the whole family gathers to share meals and memories.
But to make it more enjoyable and comfortable, you might want to pay more attention to the ergonomics of this cherished space, from the size and shape of the dining table, dining chairs, seat height, to back support.
In this blog post, we’ll guide you toward making your dining space not only aesthetically pleasing but also ergonomically sound by discussing the factors you need to consider when selecting tables and dining chairs, as well as a few design tips to achieve aesthetics without sacrificing functionality.
What is Ergonomics?
Ergonomics, in non-scientific terms, can be defined as the pursuit of designing products with a user’s comfort as a top priority.
You probably have heard about ergonomic chairs. Ergonomic chairs are most commonly used in office-based environments to make employees who are sitting for hours more comfortable. Ergonomic chairs promote good posture and prevent discomfort with an adjustable design, making it suitable for any body type and seating preferences.
But ergonomics must not only be taken into account for office jobs and activities. Your family’s dining experience deserves comfort and relaxation, too.
5 Factors to Consider When Choosing a Dining Table Set
When thinking about your dining room’s ergonomic design, the following human factors must be considered to ensure optimal ease and comfort among diners:
1. Size
Your dining table’s size must be proportional with how much space you have. For a narrow room or limited space, you surely wouldn’t want an oversized table that will only crowd the room and inadvertently invite discomfort. As such, consider oval or round tables for flexibility.
2. Shape and style
Rectangular tables are best for homes with extended family member or consisting of more than six people. Meanwhile, a round or square table allows for a more intimate gathering for a small family. But either way, your dining table must complement and blend well with the overall design of your interiors.
3. Height and comfort
This is where most of ergonomic principles will come into play. Standard dining table sizes vary per table shape and desired seating capacity. For actual measurements for different table shapes, check the guide below:
- Rectangular table. It should ideally have a width of 36 inches, a minimum length of 48 inches, and a height of 30 inches for four people. For up to six people, the minimum table length must be 60 inches. To seat up to eight members, meanwhile, the minimum table length must be 78 inches.
- Square table. For four people, it must be 36 inches wide. For up to six people, it must be around 44 inches wide.
- Round table. For optimal comfort, it must be 36-44 inches in diameter for four people, 44-54 inches for up to six people, and 54-72 inches for up to eight people.
PRO TIP: Ensure that the table height will provide proper leg clearance when sitting. You should be able to comfortably place your feet flat on the ground while seated. Also, the vertical distance between the chair seat and the bottom of the table must be at least 10 inches.
4. Material and durability
If you have kids or a generally busy household, you might want to opt for a dining table that requires little maintenance, such as one made out of wood. It’s durable and easy to clean. However, if you’re after elegance and modernity more, but wouldn’t mind the level of maintenance that it may entail, then glass tables are utter perfection.
5. Seating capacity
How many members of the family are dining regularly is also important when choosing dining tables and chairs. Be that as it may, don’t settle in just picking a table size that’s just enough for, say, four family members. You must choose a dining table that can also accommodate your visitors, especially during important occasions. Having said that, consider having extra chairs and a small table that you can keep in plain sight and easily take to the dining room for your guests.
Choosing the Perfect Dining Chairs
It’s unnecessary to pick ergonomic chairs for your dining room, since mealtimes are typically short, unless it’s such a special occasion like a conventional Filipino family reunion where the dining area serves as the main congregation to engage in endless conversations.
But just because your family won’t spend that much time in the dining area doesn’t mean you have to throw away their comfort out of the window.
As such, it’s only right that the dining chairs have a stable base and sufficient, cozy seat depth. When not in use, it must also be ensured that the chairs can slide easily under the table without hitting anything.
The Mismatched Chair Trend
Informal dining through the mismatched dining chair trend is recently gaining traction because of their practicality. For example, you can use a bench on one side of the table to accommodate more diners. You can also utilize chairs of varying designs without creating a messy dining room appearance. You can start by sticking to a particular style, picking a set of chairs, and balancing the colors.
Now, employing mismatched chairs doesn’t entail mismatching the rest. You must still match the color palette and design of your chairs with your interior’s design and aesthetics. A black and white combination is a classic and timeless choice, but you can also pick white and navy to achieve that look of welcoming sophistication.
For special occasions, you might want to invest in a rolling bar cart to house glassware and other dining essentials. You can also add a bit more class into the dining area by incorporating a textured rug under the table. But in whatever you do, you must strike a balance between attaining aesthetics and comfort.
At Asterra, your convenience and satisfaction are our chief priority. Aside from offering quality and best-selling unit models that are built to last, we also offer amenities like a clubhouse, basketball court, play area, fitness gym, tranquil pool and landscapes.
To make sure you won’t have to travel too far, every Asterra community nationwide is near schools, healthcare facilities, dry and wet markets, and even food hubs and local tourist spots for your family’s weekend getaway.
Beginning at 3.5 million pesos, you can get a best value for money condominium under easy financing terms. We partner our unit provisions with a home-buying process that’s a lot less hassle. So if you have any investment queries, we are just a message away. You can send us an email or chat with us through our social media accounts. We’re excited to serve you in securing your condo in Philippines just before the year ends!
