Linen Size Guide & How Many Guests To Seat Around Your Tables
Linen Sizes to Buy/Rent
Below are the standard sizes available for rentals – and at most venues – for cocktail, dining, and other service tables. Of course, not all the dining tables in our homes are standard sizes, so you might not see the perfect size listed for your particular table(s). You might own an oval or square dining table, for example, or an antique that is uniquely-shaped at each end. Point being, one size does not always fit all. That said, this list will give you a general idea of what to look for when selecting the appropriate-sized linens for the tables in your home. And should you want or need to rent standard-size tables for extra seating, this guide tells you exactly what size linen will fit.
To quickly decide what linen size you need: measure your table then add 30’’ to each side (width and length) for a floor-length linen. Add 12” to each side for a lap-length linen.
For standard rectangular tables, I include sizing for linens that are floor-length as well as lap-length, which is what I prefer to use on my dining table.
Rental tables should always be covered with floor-length linens, as the mental or plastic legs are unattractive.
For round tables, I almost always prefer a floor-length linen, unless it is a pedestal or an outdoor table.
If you wish to use an overlay, I suggest putting it over a floor-length linen, unless your table has pretty legs.
Outdoor dining tables on organic surfaces (aka grass) can take floor- or lap-length linens (or somewhere in-between), but keep in mind that they might get dirty. If the ground is wet or damp, the moisture will soak up into your table linens if they touch the ground. Also keep in mind you might need table weights (these clip onto the corners of linens) if it’s breezy outside.
When you are renting dining tables for any event, please also rent table pads. Most rental tables are made of wood and have seen better days. Thus, they tend to have rough, uneven surfaces, and the edges can be quite severe. A table pad provides a consistent and smooth surface for your tabletop items.
Number of Guests To Seat At A Table
The real question here is, “How many people will sit comfortably around a table?” Most standard resources on this are misleading – just because you can fit X people at a table doesn’t mean you should. Unfortunately, it’s not a one-size-fits-all model when it comes to rentals. And while there are standard practices, I highly advise you consider a few things before finalizing how many guests to seat at a table for any event. While some of this is personal preference, I’ve definitely seen it all in terms of what works well and what does not.
For standard 60” round rental tables, you can seat 8-10 people. If you are seating guests for a formal dinner, it’s best to only seat 8, as you need extra space for place settings. It is also important for servers to have room to deliver plated meals and for your guests to have elbow room. I have found that on most occasions, 10 guests feels very tight around a 60” round no matter what the place settings are.
For standard 8’ rental tables, you can seat 8-10 people. However, if you seat 10 people, those on the ends will not be able to slide their chairs under the table, and the area for each place setting is minimal. If you are using formal place settings, you definitely cannot fit more than 8 people at the table (4 on each side). I almost always advise against seating 10 people at a standard 8’ table.
For standard 6’ rental tables, the same rules apply. While you can seat 6-8 people, I almost never do. There is little room at the ends of the table, and guests are crammed together as much as the place settings are.
Keep in mind that the size of your chairs will dictate how many people can sit around a table. Rental chairs tend to have narrower seats than chairs at a private residence. If you need to seat more guests around your dining table for a special occasion, you might consider renting smaller chairs to replace the ones you own. If you are renting tables, but plan to use your own chairs, be sure to account for the fact that your chairs may be larger than what the table typically allows for.
If you want to seat 10 people comfortably at one long rental table, you can rent what is called a “king’s table” or “estate table.” They are extra-wide, 8’ long tables and allow for two guests to sit at each end of the table. These tables also allow for more decor and more elaborate place settings.
72” round tables are very large, and it is hard for people to talk across them. They also require larger centerpieces or decor to fill in the center of the table.
60” round tables are the most commonly-used table in the rental world.
If the space allows, I always recommend a long table for dinner parties at home, as it’s easy to talk to guests next to AND across from you.
