I would say if you kept it the way it is, you would need to stay with a rectangular table and it would probably work out. As long as you can live with that forever it would be fine.

I am working on a similar plan and I am wondering what your kitchen dimensions are. Does it bother you that when you come in from the garage with groceries you will have to go down the hall and around the corner to get to the kitchen?

I love your pantry ;)

I guess it might depend on what size square table you might want someday! ;-) There are a lot of "if's" in life and hard to guess and prepare for them all.

Our dining room is 11 1/2 ft x 16 ft. We have a 3 1/2 wide x 10 ft long table. That leaves 4 ft on each side, which seems huge to me. With 9'8" and a table 3 1/2 - 4 ft wide you would have 3 ft +/- on each side, which is not huge, but what I would consider enough and comfortable, especially when one wall is almost completely open.

I think it really depends on the size of the table and chairs you have, whether that extra 2 feet will be necessary.

Your nook is bigger than my kitchen, which includes a nook...but if it's to serve as a dining room, I might consider enlarging it.

twogirlsbigtrouble --- My kitchen dimensions are approx 13.5x17.5 which includes to the bkfast room wall and from the back wall of cabinets to the carpet line. My pantry is approx 5x7. I am not in love with walking around the back wall into the kitchen, but I can live with it -- it wasn't a deal breaker for me. I didn't want to lose any more cabinets by changing it to a doorway.

rhome410 -- I was thinking a 5x5 foot table which wouldn't give me much space on the two sides -- I don't think it would work. I love square tables and with a 5x5, you can still fit 6 seats, if you want but it leaves alot of room around the table. My room would be 111/2 by 16 or so if I added the sq footage. You think it is a bit too large? Maybe I should add 18 inches?

My husband thinks it is a waste of money, although our contractor doesn't think it would be a huge amount since it isn't a great increase in that room. So we'll see if I can convince him.

For a 5 ft wide table (wow), 11 1/2 ft would be just right, I think. But then the room will look pretty long? Are you still putting in a buffet hutch at one end?

Our dining room is 11'X16'. For a while, I tried putting my buffet (which is about 18'' deep) along the long wall -- making the width of the room about 9'6". That width was too tight to maneuver around our 42'' X 120'' rectangular table, particularly if you happened to be the last one to sit down at the table. Hope that helps.

rhome410 -- yes, we are planning on putting a built in buffet about 18 inches in depth on the short wall. I think 11 1/2 by 15 1/2 would be about right if I wanted to do a 5 foot square table. That would give me a little over 3 feet on each side of the table on the long walls.

Our breakfast table is 36x54 and opens to 54x54. Your space is larger than our breakfast area. Ours is open to the kitchen on one side and to the family room on the other, and it does give you some flexibility. We can seat 6-8 around the table.

Since you are planning on this being a forever home, I would definitely add the 2 feet now. There is just the two of us left, and I wish I had a couple more feet in my 10 1/2 foot wide eating/dining area. Mind you, mine is also the path to the sliding glass doors to the deck.

I have trouble reading your plan- getting too old to read tiny print, so not clear on your traffic pattern. But as kids get bigger (don't know how big yours are- but my 'baby' is over 6' tall and it seems like he's all legs), they take up more space, and aren't as delicate getting in and out as us oldsters can be!

Also gives you the flexibility in the future of adding other pieces of furniture in there...

DS home from school at Christmas time

You mentioned maybe feeding more as your kids grow older. From my experience I can say, count on it! I literally don't think a weekend went by when I wasn't looking across the table at least one if not two extra kids. For me it's simple.... this is one of those instances where bigger is better. It'll just give you more flexibility as life changes.

We have a 60" (5 foot) square kitchen table which we LOVE. It seats 8 comfortably-2 at each side. With 2 leaves added, it seats 12 just as easily. If you want this to possibly serve as a dining room some day, I would definitely add the 2 feet. Much cheaper to do it now than rip out the back of the house to do it later

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Pattiem93 -- I love your square table!! That is exactly what I am looking for! Do you remember where you got it? I love the flexibility that it gives, just as you described. You can fit many without adding a leaf, but at the same time, with a leaf or two you can host a crowd. Exactly what I am thinking.

raehelen -- I know what you mean about kiddos getting big. Mine are only 3 and 1 right now, but DH is 6'6" and our kids are already big. I'm sure a little extra space for them would be nice. :)

remodelfia -- Good idea to plan for all the kids' friends in the future as well. Sometimes I forget about the "future" because my kids are so young.

Thanks Shelly. Believe it or not- it's from Pottery Barn!. The only thing I've ever bought there, but I love it! The guys who delivered it actually took pics of the table on their cell phones to show their wives. With our large family, its wonderful to be able to "face" everybody and talk through dinner without feeling "all lined up". Has all the advantages of a round table with the ability to expand

I agree with increasing the size since that seems to be an option. It's really not a breakfast nook, it's your dining room (dining area or nook if you prefer), and 9'8" is minimal for such an important function.

BTW, in addition to expanding your dining area for everyweek use, would your living room arrangement allow you to pull a pretty drop-leaf table from one of the walls and set it up for additional seating for 6 or so? Two tables full of people who can see and hear everyone at their own table and the other one make a nice party.

My sister has just about what you describe with the larger width and a square table - I believe her breakfast area is a bit wider - like 16 x 15. It works well with her family of four and guests.

It also works well for school projects.

Hmmm... it seems like most of you are thinking we should just add the 2 ft -- would give us more room and more flexibility for tables.

Pattiem93 -- right after I posted about your table, I did a google search for square tables and I came across the pottery barn one and thought that looked like yours. It is beautiful!! I may not get it right away, but I would love to have the space available for it if I do want it in a few years!! :)

Yes, if you really think you ever will have a 5 ft table, you will very much appreciate the extra 2 ft.

Pattiem93 -- I have another question about your PB table. I looked at it online and it recommends using coasters for drinks. Do you need to do this to prevent water marks? Are they difficult to get off if they do appear? Just curious on the finish of this table. We're a pretty casual family and I doubt I could convince my hubby to always use a coaster at the regular dining table and I'm sure my kiddos will be the same. :)

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