Short answer: A pedestal table base is a single column with a spread foot that supports the top from the center instead of the corners. Choose one when you want legroom on every side, a round or square top, or a small table where four legs would crowd the chairs. The two numbers that matter are height (28 inches for dining, 34 for counter, 40 for bar, 18 to 22 for coffee and end tables) and the base's widest point at the floor, which sets how big a top it can carry without tipping. Our rule: the top should be no wider than about 1.75 times the widest point of the base. For a rectangular top longer than about 5 feet, use two pedestals instead of one.
Bear Hollow Supply builds pedestal table bases in Fredericksburg, Ohio, in cast aluminum and steel, for everything from coffee tables to restaurant bar tops. This guide covers when a pedestal beats legs, how to size one, single vs double pedestals, what restaurants should look for, and how to attach a top. For height and footprint rules that apply to all table bases, see our table leg height and size guide.
Pedestal base vs table legs
Four legs at the corners are the strongest and most stable way to hold up a big rectangular top, and they are what most dining tables use. A pedestal trades a little of that stability for things legs cannot do:
- Legroom. Nobody straddles a leg. On a round or square table, people can sit anywhere around it.
- Round and square tops. A round top on four legs looks awkward. A round top on a pedestal is the classic form.
- Small tables. A 30 inch cafe table does not have room for four legs and four chairs. A pedestal does.
- Chairs tuck in. Restaurant tables with pedestals seat more people in less floor space because the chairs slide all the way under.
- Look. A single heavy column reads as a different piece of furniture than a leg set.
The tradeoff is leverage. All the load goes down one column to a foot, so a pedestal has to be heavy at the base or wide at the floor, or both, to resist tipping when someone leans on the edge of the top. That is why the footprint rule below matters more for pedestals than for legs.
Step 1: Pick the height
Base height is the height of the column itself; add your top thickness to get finished table height.
| Base height | Finished table (with 1 to 1-1/2 inch top) | Use |
|---|---|---|
| 16 to 18 in | 17 to 20 in | Coffee table |
| 22 in | 23 to 24 in | End table, side table |
| 28 in | 29 to 30 in | Dining table, desk, restaurant table |
| 34 in | 35 to 36 in | Counter height, kitchen island |
| 40 in | 41 to 42 in | Bar height, pub table |
Most of our pedestals are offered in all five heights so you can match a coffee table, dining table, and bar top in the same style. The Eiffel, Pittsburgh, and Ridgeline all run 18 through 40 inches.
Step 2: Match the footprint to the top
Every pedestal product page lists a mounting width (the plate that bolts to the top) and a widest point (the footprint on the floor). The widest point is what keeps the table from tipping.
Our rule of thumb for a single pedestal: multiply the widest point by 1.75 to get the largest top the base should carry. A base that is 24 inches at the floor is comfortable under a top up to about 42 inches across. Push past that and the table gets tippy when someone leans on the far edge. If you want a bigger top, go to a base with a wider foot or use two pedestals.
Because the widest point grows with height on most of our pedestals, taller bases carry bigger tops. The Eiffel, for example, is 14-1/2 inches at the floor in the 18 inch coffee table height and 33-1/2 inches in the 40 inch bar height.
A heavier base also helps. Cast aluminum and steel pedestals in the 40 to 50 pound range resist tipping better than a light base of the same footprint, because the weight is low and centered.
Step 3: Single or double pedestal?
Single pedestal: round tops, square tops, and rectangular tops up to roughly 1.75 times the base footprint. Cafe tables, kitchen tables for four, pub tables, side tables.
Two pedestals: rectangular and oval dining tables longer than about 60 inches, conference tables, and any top where a single column would leave the ends unsupported. Place the pedestals the same way you would place legs, set in 12 to 15 inches from each end, with enough space between them that chairs fit on the long sides. Two pedestals under a 7 or 8 foot top give you a trestle style table with full legroom and no corner legs to bump.
Our pedestals are sold individually so you can buy one for a cafe top or two for a dining table, and most are also offered in a 5 pack for restaurants and builders.
Step 4: Cast aluminum or steel?
Both are powder coated and both are made in our Ohio shop. The differences are weight, capacity, and look. Our cast aluminum vs cast iron vs steel guide goes deep; the short version for pedestals:
- Cast aluminum pedestals like the Eiffel, Oslo, and Brooklyn are cast in a mold, so they carry detail like raised lettering and classic machine base shapes. Aluminum does not rust, which makes it the choice for patios and covered outdoor dining. The Eiffel is rated at 1,200 pounds in the shorter heights and 2,000 pounds in the 28 to 40 inch heights.
- Steel pedestals like the Forge and Ridgeline are fabricated from tube and plate, so they have the clean welded industrial look. Our other fabricated metal pedestals, including the Pittsburgh, Brexley, and Cincy, follow the same approach. Capacities run 800 to 1,000 pounds, which is more than any table top needs. Powder coated steel is fine indoors and on a covered porch; for full weather, aluminum is safer.
Pedestal bases for restaurants, bars, and coffee shops
Commercial tables get leaned on, sat on, and dragged across the floor several times a day. What to look for:
- Weight and footprint. A heavy base with a wide foot is what stops a 30 inch two top from rocking when a customer leans in. The Forge was built for this: a 24 by 24 inch footprint, 40 to 50 pounds per base, 1,000 pound capacity, and reinforced collars top and bottom. It is designed to get rid of the pedestal wobble that cheap imported bases are known for.
- Adjustable glides. Restaurant floors are never flat. The Forge includes heavy duty adjustable floor glides so each table can be leveled where it sits.
- Powder coat. Holds up to mop water and chair legs far better than paint.
- Heavy tops. Granite, concrete, and thick butcher block tops are common in commercial dining. Check the mounting width is big enough to spread the load and the capacity covers the top with margin.
- Quantity pricing. Most of our pedestals are offered in 5 packs at a discount, and builders outfitting a whole dining room can apply for a wholesale account.
- Made in the USA and in stock. We build in Ohio and ship within two days, so a restaurant opening on a date can plan around it.
How to attach a top to a pedestal base
Our pedestals include mounting hardware, typically threaded inserts and bolts. The mounting plate on top of the column has holes or slots; you install inserts in the underside of the top, set the base in place, and bolt through the plate into the inserts. The full process is in our how to attach metal table legs guide and applies the same way to pedestals.
Two things specific to pedestals:
- Center it. On a single pedestal the base has to be centered on the top or the table will lean toward the heavy side. Measure from the plate edges to the top edges on all four sides before drilling.
- Wood tops need a flattener. A single mounting plate in the middle of a wide wood top does nothing to keep the top flat as it moves with the seasons. Add a steel C channel across the underside, perpendicular to the grain, with the pedestal bolted through it. Stone and solid surface tops do not need it.
Our pedestal lineup at a glance
| Base | Material | Heights | Widest point | Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eiffel | Cast aluminum | 18, 22, 28, 34, 40 | 14-1/2 in (18 in) to 33-1/2 in (40 in) | 1,200 to 2,000 lb |
| Pittsburgh | Powder coated metal | 18, 22, 28, 34, 40 | 7 x 12 in (18 in) to 16 x 20 in (40 in) | 800 lb |
| Forge | Steel | 28, 34, 40 | 24 x 24 in | 1,000 lb |
| Ridgeline | Steel | 18, 22, 28, 34, 40 | 17 x 17 in (18 in) to 33-1/2 x 33-1/2 in (40 in) | 800 lb |
The Pittsburgh has a narrow rectangular foot, which makes it a natural choice in pairs under a rectangular dining top. The Ridgeline and Forge have square footprints sized for single pedestal round and square tops. See the full pedestal base collection for the Oslo, Brooklyn, Brexley, Cincy, Cleveland, Golden Gate, Lisbon, Holland, and Ironbound bases.
Frequently asked questions
How big of a table top can a pedestal base support?
Multiply the base's widest point at the floor by about 1.75. A 24 inch footprint carries a top up to roughly 42 inches across. The weight rating is rarely the limit; stability is. For bigger tops, use a wider base or two pedestals.
When should I use two pedestals instead of one?
On rectangular or oval tops longer than about 60 inches, and on any top wider than 1.75 times the base footprint. Set the two pedestals in 12 to 15 inches from each end.
What height pedestal base do I need for a dining table?
28 inches. With a 1 to 1-1/2 inch top that gives a 29 to 30 inch finished height, the standard for dining tables and desks. Use 34 inches for counter height and 40 inches for bar height.
Are pedestal tables stable?
Yes, when the footprint and weight match the top. Tippy pedestal tables come from a light base with a small foot under too large a top. A heavy base with a wide foot sized by the 1.75 rule is as steady as a leg table.
Do pedestal bases work with round tops?
That is what they are best at. A round top on a single pedestal gives everyone a seat with no legs to work around. Size the base so the top diameter is no more than about 1.75 times the base's widest point.
Can I use a pedestal base outdoors?
Cast aluminum pedestals do not rust and are the safe choice for patios and open air dining. Powder coated steel is fine under a roof or indoors.
Do pedestal bases come with mounting hardware?
Ours do. Most include threaded inserts and bolts; check the specs section on the product page. Some, like the Forge, also include adjustable floor glides.
What is the best pedestal base for a restaurant?
A heavy steel or cast aluminum base with a wide foot, adjustable glides, and a powder coat finish. The Forge was designed for commercial dining with a 24 inch footprint, 40 to 50 pound weight, and 1,000 pound capacity.