It's not terrible. The patio doors there - the only way out or is there one in the gr?

Tape it out in the garage or on a large floor somewhere. You might feel better.

Good luck!

ETA like freeoscar, I've had 2 around that size. I got 8 ppl fine. Take out the leaf for every day and 6 is no problem. It's more about traffic through to the deck.

Are you talking about 10'3" square? If so, that's about the amount of space I have for my breakfast table (42" octagonal), and it works fine. I really think the octagonal (round would be just as good) detail makes a big difference. Lack of corners allows for easier circulation in a small spot.

I see that you have windows on two sides -- that is a positive in a small spot.

Keep your colors and your window treatments light, and you'll be fine.

My family of 7 (soon to be 8) has a 39" wide by 84" long table, currently squeezed into a room that is roughly 9x12 (it's a bay, so it's actually a bit smaller than 9x12). We designed the table to have benches on both long sides, but decided to put 2 chairs on one of the long sides. It's too large for the room, technically, but we will be gaining a bit more space once we move out of the rental and into the house.

The 6' benches can seat 4 of my kids (aged 2 to 11), so I'm thinking that if you decide to do a bench along one side, you could probably squeeze an extra person on that side, if necessary.

I think you'll totally be okay. :-) I had a temporary freak out when our new house was framed, that the dining area wasn't gonna be big enough, but now that we're 3 days from closing, it's fine.

Like Dame, I think that a table with two benches might work best.

You all are awesome! This is definitely a temporary freak out :) but I appreciate the sound words of counsel and advice on tables, sizing, etc. It could be worse!!

Make the island and the counter 3" narrower. That will give you 42" on each side of the table with a 42" wide table. You will never miss the 3" of counter.

If you're planning on buying a new table, I'd also recommend waiting until the space is a lot closer to being finished to make any purchased. It may feel different to you once you're further along. I'd wait until drywall and cabinets are in, when go over with some folding chairs and tables or lots of sturdy cardboard and tape to mock up different tables sizes and see how they feel.

Kristin, that's exactly what we plan to do! We sold our kitchen table (old and rickety) before we moved so we have to buy a new one. I just told my husband we are going to use our appliance cardboard boxes and stage table sizes :)

cpartist, unfortunately the cabinets are already ordered. We'd have to pay for the cabinets we already ordered (that we wouldn't be using) PLUS new cabinets. Not worth it, to us.

I've had similar sized dining areas. I could easily get a 40" x 60" table in without it feeling cramp. If you try to fit in a buffet it will feel tight. Without a buffet it will be fine.

No not worth it. I'm guessing the space will be fine.

A rectangular trestle table (with slightly rounded, non-pointed corners if you can find it with these), ideally with at least 1 or 2 leaves, will seat more people than a table with legs on the corners.

Who will be sitting at the table on a daily basis, and as visitors? If you will be buying a table of reasonably decent quality to keep for the long run, and will have people older than little kids sitting at it, at least 4 chairs would be a minimum, and 6 would be better--if there is some place else in the house where the extras could be used or stored until needed.

When my daughter was first married, she bought a table with 4 chairs due to their under 1000 sq' house and kitchen-eating area smaller than yours. When they wanted to entertain, which often was a total of 6 adults, 2 people had to sit on folding chairs and be relatively uncomfortable, although she could have put 2 more "good" chairs into the small space if she'd had them long enough to enjoy the meal and conversation.

For years, I had an 8 x 12' dining room with the long side open to the living room. Because a 6 x 10' rug defined the dining space and therefore the location of the table, there was actually about 9' in width. I routinely had 8 people (7' long table including 2 leaves) seated. Crowded? A little, but doable.

How busy will the walkway at the "bottom" of the kitchen be--what does it connect? If it's not super busy, could you shift the left wall of cabinets and the island 3 to 6" into the walkway to get more space in the eating area?

Anne

In our build we have just about the same size dining area that you have with the island bordering the dining area and sliding patio doors on the other side just like yours. We have a 60 inch rectangle table that extends to 78 inches. We keep the table at 60 inches and are able to have 6 chairs around it. We extend it when we have company and pull it out from the wall a little. Try not to stress, it will be fine.

It will be fine. In our old ski house, we had a 60" round table with six chairs in a similar sized space. It was a little tight but very workable and looked great. With your space I think you will be fine with a rectangular table that seats 6. I do agree no buffet. Your bar will make a very nice serving area.

Believe it or not, a 3'x6' table will seat 6 average size adults comfortably. 4 on the sides, and 2 on the ends. That will give you 3'9" on each side, maybe 3'4" with the chairs pushed in. Plenty of room if it's not a main thoroughfare.

When I redid my kitchen I marked the location of my new ordered table on the floor with painter's tape, using the exact dimensions. I was like there was no way that table was going to be a big enough size to feel comfortable. Its an optical illusion. When you see the top up in the air it might 30" from your eyes, but on the floor it's 60" away. That's double the distance, so the size it going to look much smaller.

One thing to consider if you do get benches is your light fixture, and its height/width above the table. To step over the bench, you are going to lean towards the table and put your hands on the edge to steady yourself as you swing your legs over. If the light fixture is too wide or low, they will head butt your light.

An additional thought--If you get a couple of chairs with arms, as many people do, be sure they go UNDER the top of the table. Still, these chairs need more space to pull back from the table in order to be able to sit in them.

Lots to consider.

Anne

Agree with Mojomom about no buffet. We throw a tablecloth over our kitchen island and voila, a perfect buffet serving table.

Finish construction, move in, and see if it is a problem.

I don't see a problem. If you're worried about it being tight though and don't need daily seating for 6+, this table from Crate & Barrel is great: https://www.crateandbarrel.com/flip-small-bruno-dining-table/s570092

Both my parents and my brother have had it for years (different color) and love it! Here's it closed and open in the space: