Expert: Kirk Ryan - 1/29/2010

Question
Hi,
Our (approximately square) living room has a large window that spans pretty much an entire wall. We are wondering whether to position the dinner table perpendicular OR parallel to the window. Is there any such rule?
Thank you.

Answer
There really isn't a set rule here. Some straight and narrow designers would agree that having it parallel to the window would be the "cleaner" or more "normal" approach. Some may also argue that it helps define the room and can have a hidden message that the room is longer than it actually is.

On the other side, you may have the more out of the box designers that can take that table the other way, because they have other tricks to make the room look beautiful around it. Some may use a mirror to help increase the look of space.

For you it may come down to whichever seems to work more functional. If you feel comfortable with it both ways, than decorate the room around it, and see which way you prefer the room to look.

Hope this helps.