Draw the footprint
Mark the table at full size on the floor, including extensions. Add chair pull-out space or the route around a coffee table.
Surfaces for living
Tables that make room for life.
Find dining, coffee, side and occasional tables by starting with the job, the usable surface and the space they need around them.
Choose the job before the style
A useful table fits both the activity and the route around it. Establish the number of seats or objects it must hold, then measure the top, base, extensions and everyday circulation.
Dining
Allow every place setting
Table length is only the start. Leg position, apron depth and chair width decide how many people sit well.
→02Living
Keep the room moving
A coffee table should sit within easy reach without closing the route through the seating area.
→03Flexible use
Check every extension
Leaves, hinges and sliding mechanisms are part of the table. Ask to see the piece both closed and fully extended.
→What makes a table work
Read the base
Four legs, a pedestal or trestles create different usable seating positions. Check where knees, chair arms and feet will meet it.
Inspect the top in good light
Look across the surface for movement, repairs and finish variation. Separate stable marks from damage that needs work.