Which do you like better and why??

Seems to me the "booth" may be too confining??

I think I'm leaning toward table and chairs, but wonder what pros and/or cons I may be overlooking.

Thanks in advance for sharing.

Bob

Booth all the way for me. It is always set up, doesn't move around, requires no stowage for moving, has storage underneath (opt - if you can - for flip up cushions a. la. chest style instead of worthless long skinny drawer), and best of all, it's another pair of mini-sofas to sprawl out on. Far more comfy - for more than just dining - than small straight back chairs. I'm just a simpleton though. I use my dinette most of the time, seldom using the sofa....

We have a dinette, but I would prefer to have table and chairs.  We have a smaller rig, so not ready to give up the extra storage in the dinette.

-Colleen

Personally, I prefer the booth. My RV's have had water tanks, generators or other things out of the way under the booths. I have stored extra sheets, blankets, pillows, etc, (in sucked-down mothproof bags), and I can always access them from the top by removing the dinette cushions, if guests should arrive. I have a bad knee, and I like to put my pillow up against the wall, put my legs up on the booth seat, and have my coffee, or whatever, right there on the table. I am more comfortable like that, than in a recliner or couch. Then, of course, the other advantage of a booth is that you can make it into a computer desk like Cowboy Brian did: http://www.rv-boondocking-the-good-life.com/rvdesk.html Happy Trails, Penny, TX

We'll take neither!

We had a table and chairs, didn't really use the set so got rid of 2 chairs. Didn't hardly ever use the table and other 2 chairs, except for storage, so eventually got rid of it all and put in a book case and storage unit and now we're happy.

For some reason we got used to eating off our laps on our recliners, so the table was only used for company and that wasn't often enough to warrant the space it took up.

Different strokes for different folks.

Fred

-- Edited by Luvglass on Tuesday 9th of June 2009 08:41:38 PM

I agree that this is strictly personal preference.  We had a dinette in the motorhome that we just sold, and were not crazy about it - too confining, I guess, and although we used the storage AND had flip up seat access to it, I still thought it was inconvenient.

For our NEW RV, we're going with the table & chairs, and this has not been easy to find in a toy hauler!  Most have the U-shaped dinette, and while this would make a convenient lounging space, I don't like it.  Time will tell if we regret this choice, but I don't think we will . . .

Very timely subject for us. Although not on road yet we are leaning towards what Fred said as even now in the stix and brix we eat off of tv trays. Have not sat at table for years except for when we have guest's. Our Sunnybrook had the booth in it and the storage was usless as it just had a flip down door and everything always ended up out of reach under bench. Our Cedar Creek has table and chairs which we will probably never set at so we could use that space for something better. If we have guest's we will just have to eat out under the awning. Go to different RV'S and set at both styles and get a feel for what you would prefer. I spent many hours setting in various Rv's to get that just right feeling about all aspects of the layout. Good luck.

I'd suggest spending some time sitting in each type of set up. We like our table and chairs. We store a few larger books/manuals inside the table top. Each chair provides minimal storage, but to be able to retrieve whatever would fit in that small space you have to bring the chair out to an open area to lift the seat. We like the chairs for extra seating in the living area. More often, I've used one of them to open the overhead vent instead of hauling up the step stool from the basement! Also, we have 4 at the table all the time for meals and the table provides more elbow room (all the guys eat with an 'elbows out' position). This thread clearly shows the individual preference!!

Well it all boils down to one thing. Which one do you personally prefer. As you have seen from the replies, there are different strokes for different folks. We have a table and chairs in our coach. We had several RV's in the past with a booth. The storage space was nice but the drawers were usually poorly built to handle very much stuff and the bottoms would come out. Just try getting that drawer out when the bottom has come out. Our second gripe with the booth was that getting into and out of it gets to be a pain. In short we didn't like the booth after we had them for a while. So we now have the table and chairs. Nice when entertaining or playing cards and our table also serves as our "office." We still have a few things that require some time, health insurance EOB's and the like. But that is just our opinion.

We chose table and chairs and we're very happy with the setup. We take the small appliances my wife uses on the kitchen counter and place them under the table and chairs for travel. We once had a dinner for twelve in the RV. Added a card table to the end of the dinning table, seating for 8, plus 3 on the couch and one in the recliner with TV trays. The table gave us the flexibilty. However, we found we tended to block the table from other uses because we would spread out the printer, laptop and other electronic devices, since it is the most convenient place to use the laptop & printer. We had to jockey stuff around for meals. Yesterday we ordered one of these: http://www.amazingmagictable.com/twodesk.htm Best of both worlds storage and a table with chairs. We will be able to keep the printer and other stuff on the desk while keeping the table free for meals. I will follow up with a report on how it all works for us once we have a chance to use it at Chula Vista RV Resort during July.

Now Bear has hit on the best idea yet...This set up is what I would love to have. You have storage...desk....dining...hey you have it all and it looks good. OK the winner is BEAR and the Magic Table.. I will start making mine as soon as my shop is set back up. I guess I better get to work on that project as soon as I can... Thanks Bear

All personal preference. One of my MUST HAVES are dining table and chairs. We always eat meals at the table. With televison off! Was this way in stix and brix and still this way in fiver. We like that our Montana has storage under the chair seats. Also two small drawers in table. Also, the table is on a slide and can even be turned sideways Phyllis

Wow!!  What an interesting and informative variety of opinions and preferences.

Very helpful!

Thanks to all !!

-- Edited by Lightfin on Wednesday 10th of June 2009 05:25:53 PM

When our grandkids were little, we wouldn't have been without the booth...we used it for a bed a lot!  About the time they were outgrowing the booth/bed, we got a new rig with the "Magic  Desk/Table" and love its flexibility.  We often have other couples come to play cards or for dinner and can move the table around to fit the occasion and number of people.

Mary

The Magic Table looks really cool!  Seems that in an RV, having furniture that can serve multiple functions is a real asset.

Our Cougar 5ver will come with a table and four chairs, but I already know what I want to do.  Replace the table and 2 chairs with the setup as seen in photo above. The table can also slide in the cubby area--end first--between the cabinets and chairs can still be used in that position

http://www.amazingmagictable.com/2tabledesk1.htm

-- Edited by nwlambear on Saturday 20th of June 2009 12:15:23 PM

-- Edited by nwlambear on Saturday 20th of June 2009 12:18:34 PM

Definately interested in that magic table. Anyone else have one that they can comment on. I would be giving up some of the bottom screens of the window and not sure I want to do that but would really love a place to set up sewing machine. Brenda

The way my wife and I decided was to ask ourselves, "What do we request when we go to a restaurant?" Answer for us: Booth.

Update------ The desk and table arrived today. It looks just like what's pictured above. It was delivered by Yellow Freight and was packaged very well so no damage, eventhough the pallet seemed to have suffered some sort of mishap. I unpacked everything and was really impressed with the quality of the materials used and workmanship. Every joint was perfect, even the inside of the drawers were sanded smooth as a ______ _______. The table works well, expands smoothly. As soon as I have it in place I will post photos along with photos of the fireplace.

OMG I LOVE THE BOOTH STYLE I DO HAVE 2 KIDS SO I NEED ALL THE SLEEP SPACE WE CASN GET WE ARE BUYING OUR OWN RV MY HUBBY AND I WILL HAVE THE MASTER ROOM MY SON AND DAUGHTER WILL DO THEIR HOME WORK AND EATING IN THE BOOTH STYLE AS WHERE WE WILL HAVE FAMILY DINNERS AS WELL THEN MY SON USES THAT BOOTH AS IT TURNS INTO A SLEEPER AND MY DAUGHTER WHO IS 13 WILL USE EITHER THE PULL OUT SOFA OR A JACK KNIFE SOFA WHICH EVER ONE IT COMES WITH TO SLEEP ON OR SOMETIMES SHES LAZY AND WONT WANNA PULL IT OUT SO SHE JUST SLEEPS ON IT LOOKIN LIKE THE COUCH IT IS! COVERS UP WITH HER BLANKIES AND PROPS UP HER PILLOWS! GOSH I CANT WAIT TO LIVE IN IT I LOVE RVIN! ♥

Bear,  I can't wait to see more photos of your magic table.  I think that's definitely the ticket!!!  Amish built I noticed when I checked out the site, so I'm not surprised to hear it's well constructed.  Thanks!