She’s got legs, and she knows how to use them! ZZ Top made those lines famous in 1983 but in 2020 we’re talking about the legs of dining room tables of course! Everyone always focuses on the table top, and while that is the most seen and used part of the table, the legs are what most easily differentiates styles of design and can truly make a dining room table stand out in a crowd.
Four Legged Tables
Tables with four legs are classic and simple, transcending time, trends and styles. A well-made four legged table can easily become a family heirloom passed down from generation to generation, seeing hundreds of shared family meals and treasured memories over the course of it’s lifetime. The legs provide the opportunity to get creative with detail, shape, size and material while the table tops are about as unlimited as the imagination.
Pedestal Tables
Pedestal table designs vary in size, style and shape and are a common alternative to the more standard four legged table base. They offer virtually endless options for customization as you can pair them with round, oval, square or rectangular table tops (round being the most common) and can make them in just about any size or material, accommodating interior styles from farmhouse to mid-century modern to contemporary.
Trestle Tables
A trestle dining table is stable, practical and characterized by two or three supports running from each end of the table connected by a supporting beam that runs lengthwise between the trestles for additional providing additional structural support. Because of their sturdiness and usually large rectangular size, trestle tables are a great option for larger families or for those who entertain large groups often. Because of the leg design, trestle tables can seat more people than a traditional four legged table and are a wonderful option for those wishing to use bench seating.
Parsons Tables
A Parsons table is perfect for those seeking a more contemporary, minimalistic or streamlined interior design style. The legs of a Parsons table are generally square in shape, flush with the table top edge and equal in thickness. Characterized by straight lines, sharp angles, balanced form and absolutely no ornamentation, a Parson’s table provides a simple silhouette to maintain contemporary minimalism or to balance out more ornamented or patterned pieces. The paired-down aesthetic makes this style of table adaptable and allows it to cohesively meld with a myriad of different styles.
Let’s Talk Sizing
If you do a lot of entertaining, you may be wondering just how many guests you can fit comfortably around your dining room. Generally, round tables are good for smaller spaces providing more intimate seating while oval or rectangular tables are better suited for hosting large gatherings. Using standard 20” x 20” dining chairs as a guide, here’s about how many people you can comfortably seat around a table:
