Counter Height Dining Set for 8
Buy the best counter height dining set for 8 selected and recommended by interior designers. By Emily Hilton.
A table for eight is fine, but a counter height table for 8 is better. Having a conversation with the cook at the same eyelin, and serving guests with issues rising from low places, these practical tables are functional as well as gorgeous. Pick your color, style, and the fabric for your chairs, and make your home a little different than the rest. Also, perfect for those weekly poker games.
Counter Height Dining Set for 8
Buying Guide
Emily Hilton
Interior Design Expert
Emily is a young, talented designer, whose professional interests gravitate towards kitchen and dining spaces. She prides herself on her attention to detail, obsession with functionality, and appreciation for craftsmanship.
A counter height table for 8 can turn your kitchen or dining area into the social hub of the house, allowing your family and friends to sit in the middle of the action as you prepare dinner.
These tables can take up significant space, so you should measure your dining room or kitchen dimensions before investing in a model. A standard rectangular counter height table for 8 measures between 70”- 100” long by 30”-45” wide, while a round model has a diameter of between 60”- 80”. If you’d rather invest in a square table, the sides should measure between 70”-95”.
Also, consider how much space you want between each seat at the table. For instance, you may be able to squeeze 8 people around a round table with a smaller diameter of 55”-60”, but each person wouldn’t have much elbow or legroom. For comfortable seating, choose a counter height table that offers between 24”-30” of space per person.
The best materials for a counter height table depend on whether you’ll be using the set indoors or outside and whether you will use the countertop both as a dining space and a food prep surface. A counter height table for 8 is a perfect alternative to a kitchen island, providing enough seating space for family dining or ample countertop areas for preparing ingredients for your dishes.
The most durable materials for counter height tables include pressure-treated or kiln-dried hardwood, such as teak, oak, maple, or cherrywood, or powder-coated steel for the frame. Both these materials can sustain heavy-duty use, and if the wood is sealed and treated, each material is suitable for use outdoors.
For the countertop, granite, marble, or stainless steel are all excellent options. Stainless steel is low-maintenance and simple to keep hygienically clean. Granite and marble have a timeless aesthetic appeal; however, they are prone to scratches and staining if exposed to acidic substances, so extra care is needed when using the table for food prep.
Glass is another classic material for a counter height tabletop, but ensure you choose tempered glass to minimize the risk of cracks.
A great way to entertain a crowd outdoors is using a counter height table for 8. You can use it in your backyard or patio for family and friends. It makes standing with a beverage or light snack comfortable - especially if there isn’t enough seating for everyone.
Counter height tables are a lifesaver if you have pets who are large enough to reach the tabletop. The table’s height keeps your pets from helping themselves to food while you’re not looking.
For an outdoor counter height table, the best types of wood are cedar, redwood, tropical hardwoods, and pressure-treated wood. Ensure the counter height table for 8 you choose is treated for outdoor use with a plastic-based sealant and weather-resistant stain. You should also purchase a cover for the table if you don’t intend to store it indoors during the colder months.