I think you need two or more boards. The piatgorsky will likely appear cramped on even 2.25. I suggest the 1.75 because you'll use it more and consider HoS clearance boards for 2.25 and 2.5 boards that you could use occasionally for the larger sets.
Drueke Board - 1.75" vs 2.25"
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I would go for the 1.75" board, just because it would be used more (as you state).
The fact that your wife joins you in using the Smyslova set gives bonus points to the smaller board.
Chess Set Sizing - Pieces vs Board...
The primary sizing criteria for the pieces vs board is that of square size vs King base diameter...
A good rule of thumb is...
King base diameter = 0.75 * square size
or equivalently....
Square size = 1.33 * King base diameter
Any variation from these ratios, or the size of individual pieces and pawns, becomes a matter of personal preference...
https://blog.chesshouse.com/how-to-select-the-right-size-chessboard-for-pieces/
See also...
https://www.chess.com/forum/view/chess-equipment/a-system-for-sizing-chess-pieces-and-boards-long
You might also want to consult the FIDE Manual, Sections 2 and 3 on equipment regulations...
https://www.fide.com/FIDE/handbook/Standards_of_Chess_Equipment_and_tournament_venue.pdf
You might also want to check out these makers of custom solid wood chess boards on ETSY.com...they are good quality at reasonable prices.....they also make boards in Drueke style. Both makers have received positive reviews in the Chess.com forums...
ColoradoWoodWorker (USA)...
https://www.etsy.com/shop/ColoradoWoodWorker?ref=shop-header-name&listing_id=1595374476&from_page=listing
SakisTsiogkasWood (Greece)...
https://www.etsy.com/shop/SakisTsiogkasWood
I purchased the Brazilian cherry/Maple/Walnut board with 2.25 inch squares from ColoradoWoodWorker (Brad Borkowski)....there is a discussion of my board, with photos, starting at post #62 of this forum thread. I also posted photos of my Drueke board (2.25in squares) with the GM Blitz pieces (from ChessBazaar.com) in posts# 33-36...
https://www.chess.com/forum/view/chess-equipment/cb-gm-blitz-set?page=4
Hey @felonet - three wonderful sets… deserve two wonderful boards … you may only want one but … you need too!😆😉. I’m in the small board camp. It works for the majority of times you and your wife play and display. Further, portability is great if you ever drop down to your local pub or cafe. Finally, space on the board seems a modern’ish phenomena… many vintage photos shows boards that are far more cramped than we use today … and I, kinda like cramped now. Cramped pieces may not fit competition specs or modern tastes but vintage style works too.
Looking for opinions. Diary of a mad-chess-collector-type-post incoming. There are two Drueke boards at my local chess club available for purchase - I would like to buy one of them but I can't decide which. My chess sets are as follows:
I have a small table which I'd like to use for playing - the 1.75" board would work nicely here. However the only set which really works on this size is the Smyslova - everything else is too cramped (especially the Piatigorsky).
To cover all bases I should buy the larger board - but it's a large and unwieldy size and cannot fit on my small table. I would have to drag it out from time to time and clear space on my dining room table - which would probably limit it's overall use in the long run.
Does anyone have any thoughts? Both of these boards have beautiful patina and up to this point I have only ever used the cheap vinyl boards. I don't want to start collecting chess boards so I really wish to buy once. My wife and I almost exclusively use the Smyslova for games at home. But it makes no sense to exclude my other sets either...
Argh!