5 easy ways to make room at your Thanksgiving table

Table for two? Easy. Table for 20? That’s going to take some finagling. Whether you live in a small apartment or a large house on the hill, it can be a challenge to find the space to fit all your Thanksgiving dinner guests.

Ideally there will be about 24 inches per person at the table, which provides for a chair, a table setting and a little elbowroom. If your current kitchen table won’t accommodate your guests, Thanksgiving is the perfect excuse to upgrade to a larger dining table. After all, there will be future holiday meals, birthday parties and game nights. But if that isn’t in the cards at the moment, there are several ways you can make what you have work.

Extend your table

Having a table that seats more than eight may be impractical for most families, so it’s not surprising if yours is smaller. But, you can make yours into a longer one. Extend your rectangular table by placing a piece of plywood on top so that it extends over the edge. For an even longer table, use sawhorses to support the overhanging plank. 

If your room isn’t large enough to expand the table horizontally, position another table on the end vertically to create an L-shape. Once your arrangement is covered with a thick tablecloth and decor, it will look like one cohesive piece.

Make it a buffet

The table, itself, can become quite crowded once you add place settings, food and simple decor. Instead of trying to squeeze everything into a tight space, consider offering the food buffet style. Arrange items on your kitchen counter or island, or use a narrow table; an entryway table, buffet/hutch or tall television console could also work.

When guests want seconds, they won’t mind a minute to get up and stretch their legs. It also gives them a chance to say hello to guests on the other end of the table. A buffet also allows for warming trays to keep the food hot. And the more territory for food, the more dishes you can serve. Bring on that Cajun macaroni and cheese you read about.

Be creative with seating

Maybe you can squeeze all the place settings onto the table, but do you have enough chairs to go with them? If you need to accommodate several people, consider switching out your bulky dining seats with folding chairs. Don’t want a hodgepodge? Rent them if you need several and want to match. 

If you’re really trying to squeeze people in, a bench may be a better option. Snag the one from your piano, entryway or picnic table. 

A seat at Thanksgiving dinner doesn’t need to be limited to one main table. Use furniture you already have for an additional eating area. In your living room, a pouf or ottoman can serve as a chair pulled up to your coffee table or around a desk. (Test beforehand to be sure guests can comfortably reach their food.) Or just bring your main table over to the couch and armchair. These small seating arrangements can feel like a cozy restaurant.

Expand your space

When you have a large crowd for Thanksgiving dinner, it can get a little tight trying to fit everyone into the dining area. Make it larger by removing everything but your table and chairs, storing that extra furniture in a bedroom. This gives your guests more open surroundings and allows for greater movement.

Another way to expand your usable area is to turn your table at a diagonal. This may even free up enough floorspace to add a second table. But don’t feel limited to one spot: Extend your tables into the adjoining room (if it’s not carpeted), or just down the hall.

Corral the kids

If you’re inviting family, that could mean a slew of children. Most would prefer sitting with their entertaining cousins than among boring adults, so you can save seating at the big table by setting up a small table and chairs for the younger crowd. Provide some DIY Thanksgiving activities to keep them engaged after eating four bites of mashed potatoes. 

Older children and teens may prefer their own table, too, but you may want to check with parents beforehand. No one wants to be forced to sit at the kids table.

Still feel like it’ll be a tight fit? Relax! Everyone will find a place, no matter the seating situation. And if you do have to tell Uncle Larry to eat out on the front step? No one will really mind. 

Find more ideas for getting ready for the holiday season on the KSL Classifieds Resource page.