High Kitchen/Dining Tables - Weird or Practical?

[slknight]

DH and I were doing some furniture shopping today. We're looking for a new kitchen table. We don't actually have a dining room, so some of the dining room sets are just too fancy for us.

Anyway, we saw a table that was higher than most. It's 36 inches high, which is the same height as our countertops. It came with tall chairs - kind of like tall barstools that you would have at a kitchen island. Since we are really short on counterspace, we also thought it might provide a good extra worksurface since our current table is really too low. The salesperson said that they have been selling a ton of them.

Has anyone ever seen these or have one? It seems like a good idea, but I was wondering if it's kind of weird. When you first see the table in the store, they look really different because they're not what you normally see.

[shoyski]

I LOVE them! We almost purchased one two months ago. The only thing that stopped us was our floor plan for the family room and kitchen. There is a step down into the family room from the eating area. If you sit on the couch in the family room and look into the kitchen/eating area, the high kitchen table would almost obscure the kitchen counter and for some reason, that didn't look "right".

We are house hunting and if we find the kitchen of my dreams ;) , you can be sure I'll be returning to the store to purchase that table!! :D

[Cookin4Love]

I refuse to sit at those tables at restaurants. I don't know why, but I just find them uncomfortable. I guess I'm just a "feet on the ground" sort of girl. :p However, if you're comfortable sitting at it, go for it. I think they look great. A plus around here is that they MIGHT be out of the reach of sneaky doggie mouths. :D

[Beth]

We have one and love it. They probably don't fit everyone or every room, but it works for us.

Our sits between a high-backed sectional and our kitchen, so you can see over them both to the TV when you are working in the kitchen. A regular height table would get lost in the middle. We also have 14 foor ceilings in the breakfast room and family room, so the height is appropraite. I think my 8 yr old needs to grow into the chairs a bit, but he's a guy. Climbing up suits him okay. ;)

Our table has a leaf that folds into itself, and I love that feature too. When we redo the counter tops, we are thinking of adding a spot with 2 barstools that we could pull over to the table if we want to.

Wanted to add that I find it more comfortable to read or write at than a regular height table too. It may be because I'm tall and finally have a table "my size." :p

[jmarie]

I don't like the high tables and chairs/stools. they make me thing of a bar or something.

Just wanted to add. If you are in the market, check your antique stores. You can find some really nice sets there, for less, sometimes, that what you would pay for new. (And just as, if not, more, pretty.)

Good luck in finding the perfect set!! Furniture looking/buying is always FUN!

[MKSquared]

I love tall tables, given that they look "right" in their setting. Personally, I find them very comfortable, because I prefer to perch at a table rather than sit. :D

[DanaSD]

We have high table that could take up to 4 chairs - we have only 2. What we have is often called a bistro or bar table. Its a round table and is smaller than the lower round tables so its fits perfectly in our 'eat in' kitchen. A full sized table would make it too crowded. I think its more comfortable to sit at this height and I do use it as an additional work surface - its higher than our countertops and its perfect height for me to decorate cakes standing up (a side hobby/small business for me). I like to have my feet resting on the foot bar ( there must be a name for this) rather than the floor. They're definately becoming more popular and I've seen a lot of the larger table also higher than the standard.

I do reccomend that you get chairs that swivel. When your chair is high its not easy to slide it in and out when you're sitting in it - therefor its best to move the chair close to the table and swivel in. It is easier to move the chairs if you have tile or wood buts its very hard if you have carpeting.

[stefania4]

I don't care for them. At 5'1" I spend a fair amount of time looking for stepstools and, in stores, for people to get things off of high shelves. I wouldn't voluntarily introduce yet another outsized entity into my home. And as someone said earlier, I just don't find them comfortable. They do look cool, though!

[Elizabeth B]

We have these and they work very well for us. We keep 2 at the kitchen counter and 2 at the pub table against the wall. If we're having an informal meal with another couple, then we pull the table out and put all 4 chairs around it.

I found the best selection of pub tables and chairs at a billiards store.

[Delanl]

I love the tall tables too!! DBF and I fell in love with one we saw when we were buying furniture for our new apartment. But, unfortunately it didn't fit into our budget. :(

Stefania4--DBF and I don't have that problem--he is 6'3 and I am 5'10!!:D In fact, I get asked all the time to get stuff off shelves for people! Guess being tall does have its advantages...;)

[sarah2397]

Not weird at all -- I think they are very functional, great looking and sounds perfect for your situation. If the style and size is something you are happy with, definitely go for it! (BTW, I am only 5'2" and would not feel uncomfortable eating at that level as long as the chair put me at the correct height.)