How Can I Seat Nine People at a Kitchen Table?

A family meal at the kitchen table is a classic American scene. Families all across the U.S. prepare for the day at breakfast or share stories at dinner around the kitchen table. Countless other uses for the kitchen table include crafts, homework and food preparation. A family of nine may have difficulty finding a seating solution that works. It can also be tough to seat nine people when guests arrive for a meal. The key is flexibility and openness to try new ideas or even just fine with one more place at the table.

Round kitchen table (at least 84 inches diameter)
9 or 10 dining chairs
2 benches (curved and straight)
Measuring tape

Instructions

- 1
  Clear the dining area of your kitchen of all furniture.
- 2
  Place the round table at the center of the dining area. Measure from the table to the closest surface, wall or other piece of furniture--allow a minimum of 32 inches to allow people to sit and stand comfortably without feeling too confined. Chairs close to work surfaces such as kitchen islands should have more space so another person can pass behind those chairs.
- 3
  Place the chairs around the table. An 84-inch table will seat 10 people comfortably, so nine people will fit easily. Round tables accommodate larger numbers of people more easily than square or rectangle tables since there are no corners to restrict movement. Try this setup with your family and see if it suits your needs.
- 4
  Remove the chairs and place the curved benches around the table. This will allow for more flexibility as suggested by the "Extremis" furniture piece "Kosmos." This piece features two curved benches around a round table. Try this out with your family and if it does not suit you, return to the individual chairs.

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