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Small Dining Rooms, Big Style: Furniture Solutions for Limited Spaces
Published: 05/31/2024
- Categories: Inspiration -
In today's urban living, space is often a luxury. But with innovative, compact dining furniture, even the tiniest spaces can be transformed into a stylish dining nook. Why settle for a meal on a tray, sitting on the sofa in front of the TV, when you could be dining in style with family or friends around the table—even if it’s a smaller one?
Read on to discover chic and creative furniture solutions and savvy décor tips to help you create an inspired compact dining space that will keep you and your dining guests coming back for more.
How to choose the right furniture for small dining areas
The secret to a functional yet stylish small dining area is choosing furniture that's as smart as it is beautiful.
Let's explore some creative and practical ideas for space-saving furniture for small dining rooms.
What dining table is best for a small space?
When it comes to dining tables, round tables offer the most efficient use of space. They also allow you to fit in more chairs around the table, especially since most round tables feature a pedestal base which doesn’t limit seating in the way that table legs do.
If you only need space for four diners, a square café-style four-seater can also be a good option. A narrow rectangular table set up against a wall can also be a great solution in multipurpose spaces.
Compact chairs and seating options for compact dining areas
Choosing more compact dining chairs or seating options can also make a big difference for fitting in more guests.
Dining benches come in a variety of stylish options and can easily be tucked away under the table between mealtimes.
Corner benches with padded cushions (banquettes) are also a great space optimiser and perfect for creating a cosy breakfast nook. For added comfort, back cushions can be attached or hung on the wall behind the banquette.
To maximise space even further, you could go for a banquette with built-in storage under the seating area.
For space-saving dining chairs, opt for more minimalist chairs without arms, which will fit neatly under the table.
If you’re really short on space around the table, consider stackable or folding chairs which can be stored in a corner when not in use.
The best multi-functional pieces for small dining rooms
These days dining areas are increasingly becoming multi-purpose spaces, especially with more people working remotely.
If your dining table needs to double as a work zone or homework area during the afternoons, you might want to opt for a multifunctional table or a more casual dining table that can take a few knocks. You’ll also want to look for a more practical, supportive dining chair that can double as a work chair.
Check out Cielo’s wide range of upholstered dining chairs for stylish and comfortable options.
For slightly larger multi-purpose spaces, consider a table with extendable leaves that can be pulled out to cater for more people when the need arises.
And while we’re thinking retro designs, the old-fashioned Lazy Susan (a rotating round tray in the middle of a round table) is making a comeback as a handy and practical space-saver when you need to reach bowls and condiments, instead of having to get up and squeeze past chairs.
How do you set up a small dining room?
A second key to making the best use of a small space is choosing the best spot and setting up the layout for your dining area. Many compact modern homes won’t feature a separate dining room. With a little planning and creativity, you can set up a cosy and practical dining space or breakfast nook in a kitchen or living room, or a small solarium
Layout options for small dining spaces
If you want the easiest shortcut to creating an enchanting yet compact dining space: choose a corner bench or banquette, add a small round table, and hang a pendant lamp over the table to define the dining area.
Here are a few more ideas for optimising space with creative layouts in limited dining areas:
- Create a booth using a narrow rectangular table and two banquettes on either side.
- Turn a built-in bookcase or modular shelving into a dresser or server for storage of crockery.
- If you have a large space in the middle of your kitchen, place a small round or square table in the centre for a dining table that can double as an island for food preparation.
To help define a smaller dining area in an open-plan space, simply use a large area rug under the dining table to set this space off against the rest of the room.
If you’re designing your place from scratch or doing some renovations, extending the tiling from the kitchen into the living area is an effective way to define a section of the floor for a dining area.
Creating a dining nook in small spaces
Breakfast nooks always make a cosy feature in a kitchen, but you can also make use of the corner of a living room or solarium. Corner benches or banquettes, together with a small round or square table, make an inviting nook to enjoy any meal, not just breakfast.
For a simple option, you could place a rectangular dining table against a spare section of wall, along with a few chairs or a bench to slide underneath the exposed table side.
If you have a kitchen island, adding a small square table to one end won’t take up much extra space. Or, if you don’t want to buy a separate table, add bar stools around part of the island or other kitchen counter space for a designated dining area.
Another idea is to use a wall-mounted shelf or attach a floating table with stools or chairs to fit underneath.
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Featured Product: Lennon Dining Chair
How to make a small dining room look bigger
Aside from choosing the best furniture and finding a practical space-saving layout for your dining area, you can also make use of a few simple tips and tricks to enhance the look and feel of a small dining space and make it seem bigger. Here are a few options to try:
- Choose a spot with a view.
One of the best ways to visually enlarge a dining area is to choose a spot next to a window with a view. This naturally creates the impression of space, and of course makes for a more relaxing and inspiring dining experience! - Make the most of natural light.
Utilising natural light immediately helps to open up a space and make it feel more inviting. Place your dining table near the biggest windows or under a skylight if you have one. Replace heavy curtains with blinds or lighter window dressings to welcome in more sunlight. - Use the magic of mirrors.
A large mirror mounted on a wall near your dining table will instantly amplify the available space, and can reflect lighting for beautiful effect too. - Get clever with colour
Smart colour choices can create the illusion of space. Painting your dining area using a palette of light shades will maximise the sense of space. You can also try alternating brightly coloured wall segments with light neutrals to create a more visually dynamic space. - Play with wall treatments
Using board and batten or wainscoting wall treatments to divide a wall into sections is another way to visually enlarge the space. These divisions can be vertical or horizontal, or even in panels or patterns. When combined with the creative use of colour, you can achieve some amazing effects.
Small dining room ideas
The secret of designing a small dining area is style over space.
Using the ideas outlined above, you can design an optimal space and layout for your dining area. Once you’ve got the basics in place, it’s time to complete your dining space with some inspiring décor, while incorporating your own personal tastes, to create a space you’ll be in love with.
Home décor ideas for small dining rooms
- Statement pendant lights – pendant lights instantly create atmosphere and define the dining area when hung above the table.
- Sconces – small sconces on the wall above a server or floating table are wonderful for subtle, romantic lighting.
- Co-ordinated colours – coordinate the colour scheme of your dining room furniture with ornaments on the table or crockery displayed on nearby shelving. Extend this colour scheme to include the placemats, table runner or cushions, and the dining area will take on its own identity.
- Add a sensory element – Be creative with centrepieces and hanging greenery to enhance the atmosphere. Herbs in pots or incense sticks in small containers add a sensory ‘starter’ to prepare the palate for a delightful meal.
- Beautify with art - Framed and canvas artwork of pictures like fruit, exotic dishes or beautiful crockery items help create the look and feel of a restaurant at home.
Creating a modern bistro ambience in small dining rooms
Who’s to say you can’t enjoy ‘dining in’ just as much as dining out? With a few creative furniture and décor choices, you can recreate the atmosphere of your favourite café or modern bistro right at home.
Start with a small round table with a pedestal base to provide space for tucking in chairs. Select slim round-topped bar stools for a higher table or streamlined modern dining chairs for a lower table.
What will really mimic the look of a Bistro is the right décor. Paint wall segments in bold, bright colour contrasts, and hang a pendant lamp above your dining table. Add some posters or café-style framed canvas prints on a theme of your liking to complement your design.
And for the final touch: mount a large blackboard on the wall for your home menu. (And why not add a tip jar for the ‘kitchen staff’?)
Voilà! Your own modern home bistro, all ready for eager guests.
Cielo Dining Furniture: Big Style for Compact Dining Spaces
Whatever your dining space limitations, don’t miss out on all the benefits of dining in style in the comfort of home.
At Cielo, we’ve got every variety of dining furniture to bring your ideas to life for small dining spaces with big style. View our extensive range of stylish contemporary, modern and bistro-style dining furniture available online.
Now, all you need to think about is, what’s for dinner?