Curves are showing up everywhere—arched doorways, rounded sofas, scalloped millwork, even oval kitchen islands. And leading the charge in the everyday home? The round dining table.
I changed out my dining table from a rectangle to a round table and will never go back. Here's why round is the new rectangle. Round dining tables are having a major moment, and for good reason: they soften a space, make entertaining easier, and instantly elevate a room’s comfort level.
Here’s why I (and designers) are obsessed:
👉 They Soften the Architecture: Most homes—especially open-concept ones—are built on straight lines, right angles, and rectangular footprints. A circular table disrupts that rigidity just enough to add warmth, movement, and a little visual romance. It’s the quickest way to soften a space without adding an ounce of frill.
👉 Better Flow & Circulation: No corners = no clunky traffic jams. A round table creates a natural “swirl” of movement, allowing people to walk around the space more fluidly. In tighter dining zones or L-shaped layouts, this makes all the difference in both everyday use and during gatherings.
👉 Superior Conversation & Connection: Everyone faces each other. No “end of the table power seat,” no shouting down a runway of placemats. Round tables foster more engaged, equal-energy conversation—the design equivalent of “we’re all in this together.” It turns a meal into a shared moment rather than a seated lineup.
👉 Space-Maximizing Magic: Round tables often fit better in slightly smaller or uniquely shaped dining spaces because they don’t require the same clearance at corners. You can flex up or down with chair count without the room feeling cramped.
Going round makes the home feel more human, more stylish, and more welcoming—and that’s exactly where design is headed.
📸: Before and after table upgrade in my personal house. The biggest advantage has been they create more fluid circulation in the room and better dinner conversation with each person facing each other.
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Adam Pretorius is a top-producing luxury real estate agent in Iowa City. Follow for more real estate news and design trends.
