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May 22, 2026
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Ciat Magazine
How to design a dining room: a complete guide to the project
The dining room is one of the most meaningful rooms in a home. It's where we sit every day, where we host friends, where important occasions are celebrated. Yet, it's often the most underestimated during the design phase.
Designing a quality dining room requires attention on multiple levels: the proportions of the space, choosing the right table, the relationship between chairs and lighting, and the relationship with adjacent rooms. In this guide, we address each aspect with a practical, results-oriented approach.
Defining Proportions: The Starting Point
Everything starts with measurements. Before choosing a table, it's essential to know the dimensions of the room and identify the necessary movement perimeter around the table itself.
The general rule calls for at least 90 cm of free space between the edge of the table and the nearest wall or piece of furniture. This ensures you can move chairs comfortably even when seated. For more formal spaces or those with frequent traffic, 110-120 cm is the recommended standard.
Choosing a Dining Table
The table is the element around which everything revolves—literally. Its shape determines the character of the entire room.
Rectangular Table
It is the most classic and functional choice. It adapts to most floor plans, optimizes seating capacity, and facilitates service. In long, narrow rooms, it is almost always the most practical solution. Balanced.
Round table
It fosters conviviality: there is no "seat at the head of the table," all diners look at each other with the same ease. Ideal for small rooms or for those who want a more informal and intimate atmosphere.
Oval table
It is the synthesis of the previous two: it maintains the conviviality of the round table but is better suited to rectangular spaces, with the possibility of hosting more people. people compared to a round table of the same size.
Materials and finishes
Solid wood, marble, glass, laminate, lacquered steel: the choice of material should complement the rest of the furniture. A white marble table on a metal base works beautifully with upholstered bouclé chairs; a natural oak top pairs perfectly with leather or suede chairs.
Chairs: Comfort, Aesthetics, and Consistency
Dining chairs must be comfortable—you can sit on them for long periods—but they must also interact with the table and the rest of the room.
They don't necessarily have to be identical: mixing different models, as long as they share a common thread (color, material, or style), is one of the most interesting solutions in contemporary design.
Seat Height: Between 44 and 48 cm from the floor is the standard for most dining tables (tabletop height 74-76 cm). Always check this compatibility before purchasing.
This advice is This is particularly aimed at those who shop not only in our physical store, but also online.
Chairs with armrests: are they a valid alternative? Compared to traditional chairs, they are more comfortable, but require more lateral space. They are often used only at the head of a table.
The seat material also significantly affects everyday comfort: padded fabrics offer greater softness, while wood, metal, or polypropylene are more practical and easier to clean. Another aspect to consider is ease of movement: chairs that are too heavy can be uncomfortable for everyday use. For smaller spaces, models with light lines and a slim structure help maintain the perception of greater space.
Dining Room Lighting
Nothing transforms the dining room like light. A pendant lamp above the table is practically mandatory: it visually defines the center of the scene, creates a cozy atmosphere, and enhances the table itself.
Some rules of thumb:
- The bottom of the diffuser should be 70-80 cm from the table top
- For long tables, you can opt for multiple pendant lamps aligned along the longitudinal axis
- Direct downward light creates intimacy; diffused upward light (uplight) visually expands the space
Flos, Artemide, and Louis Poulsen—all featured at Ciat Design— They offer top-notch solutions for illuminating a dining room with character.
The Relationship with Other Rooms
In contemporary homes, the dining room is often integrated with the living room or kitchen in an open-plan space. In this case, visual continuity is essential: the flooring, color palette, and materials must be consistent from one room to the next, even if the individual pieces maintain their own identity.
A sideboard or cupboard along the wall is not just a stylistic element: it is a functional solution that connects the kitchen to the dining room, offering space for table settings and decorative objects.
Designing a dining room means balancing proportions, materials, light, and function in a single space that must be used every day and appreciated by guests on special occasions. It is not a purely aesthetic exercise: it is also a key aspect of the overall design. A project that requires method.
Discover tables, chairs, and dining room accessories in the Ciat Design catalog, or rely on our Personal Design Shopper service for a customized project.
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