Small cozy dining room ideas
13 Small Dining Room Ideas and Decorating Tricks
Whether you love cooking and hosting or prefer to enjoy your favorite takeout order alone, a comfortable and well-decorated dining room will always make mealtime better. But if you add size limitations to the dining room design mix, you've got yourself an extra challenge to work around. But have no fear! we're here with tons of designer examples of small dining rooms with plenty of functional and design advice to accompany each, so you can figure out how to make the most of your own. Keep reading to see 13 small dining rooms from designers, and then incorporate you're favorite aesthetics and solutions from each into your own dining room!
1
Get a Lazy Susan
Laura Resen
A lazy Susan is perfect for smaller spaces. These clever contraptions are basically just trays that rotate and they make it easier to get items (like salt and pepper) around the table without having to reach over anyone. A round one sits at the end of this small dining table in a room designed by Chloe Warner, where interior glass doors ensure that the light flows through to adjoining rooms, too.
2
Blend It Into the Kitchen
Stephen Karlisch
Unlike chairs, a bench can seat more than one person (a handful of kids!). Even better if the bench is built into the island, serving as a natural transition into a more formal dining space right off the kitchen. In this kitchen-meets-dining room by Jean Liu, the bench was added onto the opposite side of the island to double the room's use case and blend the more practical kitchen with the formal gathering area.
3
Turn Storage Into Decor
Cara Fox
Open shelves are often the best storage option in a tight space, but you have to fill them wisely. Coordinating plates and serveware, like this classic blue and white collection, add a decorative element with a culinary tilt.
The plates were the jumping-off point for everything in this preppy and sweet dining room designed by Cara Fox.
4
Choose Dual-Purpose Furniture
Leanne Ford Interiors
If you have to sacrifice part of your dining room for a home office, get the best of both worlds by choosing furniture that can perform well for both tasks. This roomy farmhouse table in a home designed by Leanne Ford can function as a great place to spread out for larger creative projects and serve as a perch for a few work-from-home folks. But, when mealtime rolls around, it can also function as a dining room.
5
Pair a Round Table With a Banquette
Brie Williams
Two chairs and a corner banquette is a classic combo for a reason: it's a highly efficient use of space that also leaves plenty of room for fun. Together, they transform a bare corner into an elegant eating space, but it can also be a great backdrop for meetings and work.
In this vivacious dining room nook designed by Ariene Bethea, the matching table and chair set creates just the right dose of cohesion.
6
Cozy Up to the Walls
Paul Costello
Often considered a design no-no in other rooms, placing furniture against the wall frees up space for walking in a narrow dining area that shares the living room and/or kitchen. A long rectangular or oval table like the one in this open-concept space by Barrie Benson can also be great as a buffet table for parties.
7
Choose Shelves Instead of a Cabinet
Lauren Waters
China cabinets or sideboards are lovely, but their bulk can dominate a room and uses space inefficiently. Floating shelves or custom built-ins, on the other hand, can be customized to fit your needs (fill the whole wall with them, if you like!) and offer more flexible storage than standalone pieces.
They're an especially good addition to a room with high ceilings, like this loft designed by Lauren Waters.
8
Assess Your Priorities
Emily J Followill
If you live in a rental or aren't ready to make any permanent changes, having a storage piece to keep your collections stored and organized is still a good idea. In this small dining room, designer Lathem Gordon forewent a large dining table so there was space on the floor for a display cabinet.
9
Create a Booth
Francesco Lagenese
Both built-in bookcases and banquettes are meant to be directly next to the wall, offering as much seating, storage, and open floor space as possible—so when combined, they're a like small dining room superhero. And two banquettes are better than one! This clever set-up makes room for an entire family in a tight corner—and offers hidden storage under the seats.
10
Choose a Table With Leaves
Victoria Sass
Invest in a dining room table with extendable leaves so you can collapse them when not in use. It's a simple fix but it really does make all the difference. In this Scandinavian-style dining room designed by Victoria Sass of Prospect Refuge Studio, four chairs are tucked around the table, but it could seat 6 as is, and even more when fully extended.
11
Work the Room's Angles
Osklo Studio
In this space by Osklo Studio, a custom sofa accommodates the quirky shape of the room. The table and chair can also move aside when the space needs to serve as a more formal sitting room. Even if you can't splurge on custom seating, rethinking the angle of your dining room setup could help you squeeze in more space or get the most out of a living room that needs to accommodate a living area, too.
12
Sneak in Under-Seat Storage
Tamsin Johnson
The built-in banquette is also a sneaky storage solution in this eclectic dining nook designed by Tamsin Johnson Interiors. Hidden drawers beneath the cushion can house things like placemats, napkins, and more. The paint color and the grooves in the exterior of the drawers match the cabinetry in the adjacent kitchen for a seamless look.
13
Invest in Mirrors
KARYN R MILLET
Employ this bit of visual trickery to make any small room seem bigger: A mirror's reflection is great at faking extra space and bounces light around the room to make it seem airier. For a more traditional and formal look, opt for antiqued mirrors, as Celerie Kemble did here.
Hadley Mendelsohn Senior Editor Hadley Mendelsohn is House Beautiful's senior design editor and the co-host and executive producer of the podcast Dark House.
24 Small Dining Rooms That'll Make You Think Big
By
Stephanie Montes
Stephanie Montes
Stephanie Montes is a design and decor expert and writer who shares her knowledge of lifestyle trends, decorating, and painting. She also writes for Elite Daily, Hello Giggles, Brides.com, Elle.com, and Byrdie.
Learn more about The Spruce's Editorial Process
Updated on 11/02/22
The Spruce / Christopher Lee Foto
Space is a state of mind, but it can be difficult to think big when you lack physical square footage. If you've given up on that tiny space you should call a dining room and resorted to TV dinners on the couch night after night, allow us to inspire a much-needed redesign. Ahead, 24 tiny places that prove you can turn even the smallest amount of unused space into a formal dining room. Because even a small studio apartment in the city deserves a designated area for candle-lit dinners and early-morning coffee breaks.
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01 of 24
Spin Me Round
Courtesy of Dazey Den
If you're in need of extra seating in a tight space, swap the common square table design for a circle-shaped table. Without four getting in the way, you'll be free to comfortably fit more chairs.
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02 of 24
Feeling Cornered
Courtesy of Ashley Montgomery Design
One of the best space-saving ways to create a dining area is to install a corner bench off of the kitchen for a breakfast nook. And the best part is if done correctly, your breakfast-nook bench can double as extra storage underneath. Dress it up with pillows and a comfy cushion and you'll be sure to enjoy this space morning, afternoon and night.
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03 of 24
Fake It 'Till You Make It
Courtesy of Calimia Home
If you don't have an entire corner to spare, you can opt for a single bench to fake a kitchen nook for morning cappuccinos. To save space, push a bench up against a wall and hang a cushion back using a curtain rod and hanging pillows.
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04 of 24
Double Up
Design: LAVA Interiors, Photo: Ariel Camilo
If you end up eating your meals in the kitchen any way, we recommend making your small space multifunctional. Placing a larger table in the middle of your kitchen not only converts it into a formal dining room, but it pulls double duty as a functional kitchen island as well.
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05 of 24
On The Road Again
Design: Pure Salt Interiors, Photo: Vanessa Lentine
This stylish Airstream is proof that you can fit a dining room in even the smallest of spaces. The brown leather bench seating is the perfect place to curl up with a good book on a rainy afternoon, and the tiny table makes for a cozy breakfast, lunch, and dinner nook.
And if you can do this in a trailer, imagine what you can do in an apartment. -
06 of 24
Think Big
@thisgirlathome/Instagram
Just because you're working with a small dining space, doesn't mean this nook doesn't deserve the attention you'd give the larger rooms in your home. Stylish touches like a bold paint color, gallery wall setup, a centerpiece, and hanging greenery will make your tiny dining room look and feel like a significant space.
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07 of 24
In The Spotlight
Design: Michelle Berwick Design, Photo: Larry Arnal
Sometimes the most difficult part about carving a dining room out of limited square footage is establishing it as its own space. Hanging a statement pendant directly over your dining table will quite literally give it the spotlight it deserves. Doing so will create a much-needed separation from other areas, making it an established space with its own purpose.
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08 of 24
When One Becomes Two
@jillianguyette/Instagram
If you have a single room to work with, who said you can't create two rooms in one? Position a rug in the living room and use the negative space as the perfect placement for your dining area.
All you really need is a spare corner to sit and enjoy your meals. -
09 of 24
Eat Where You Work
Design: Michelle Berwick Design, Photo: Larry Arnal
The truth is, you really don't even need a designated dining area to enjoy your favorite meals. Instead of designing a formal dining room, enjoy the perks of a larger kitchen when you take up unclaimed counter space. However, if you like putting labels on things, push a table up against the island for a casual dining area that feels less like a cooking space.
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10 of 24
Breakfast With a View
@sarahecrowley/Instagram
Rather than positioning a setup in the middle of the room, pushing a squared dining table up against a window or wall is the quickest way to save space. Plus, if you have a free window in your apartment, you'll love the feeling of enjoying your morning coffee, while soaking in the views. And the best part is you can pull the table out when you're entertaining and scoot it back in after they leave to maximize your small space.
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11 of 24
Float On
@katiemackmusic/Instagram
There's no space too small to establish a formal dining space. This tiny apartment proves you don't even need room for the legs on a table. Mount a tiny table onto an empty wall for a floating breakfast (and lunch, and dinner) nook that barely takes up any space at all.
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12 of 24
Neutral Walk
Courtesy of Ashley Montgomery Design
Sometimes the best approach for combating minimal space is to work with an equally minimal color palette. Incorporating bright whites and natural décor accents will give the illusion of a larger room. Looking at this light and airy dining room, you wouldn't even notice that it's lacking in space.
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13 of 24
Light As a Feather
@marisavitalephoto/Instagram
Bulky furniture will always make a small space feel even smaller. When designing your small dining room, opt for minimal stools without arms to save space.
Pair your stools with a dining table that mimic the same minimal design to give the illusion of a larger, airier space. -
14 of 24
Out In The Open
Courtesy of Ashley Montgomery Design
If you have even the slightest bit of extra space between your kitchen and living room, consider making this your formal dining room. Establish a clear separation between your tiny dining room, your living room, and your kitchen by positioning your table and chairs on a rug and hanging a pendant light or chandelier above.
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15 of 24
What a Concept
@vchinphoto/Instagram
If you're working with a studio apartment or a small open concept layout, a bookcase or modular shelving double duties as a cute breakfast nook, while also creating added storage. It's a win-win, especially in a place where storage is of the essence.
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16 of 24
At-Home Bistro
@myscandinavianhome/Instagram
The smallest table with the biggest impact is none other than the French-style bistro table.
This minimal black table with a marble top feels modern and will make your kitchen the most Instagrammable spot in town. And if you didn't believe you could comfortably fit three chairs at it, here's photographic proof. -
17 of 24
Meet Me At The Bar
@torihartz/Instagram
No matter how small your apartment is, there's always room for a place to enjoy a meal with family and friends. If you have an empty wall, you have the space to mount a shelf that doubles as a breakfast bar. Pull up some stools and you've got yourself a 24-hour space to dine.
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18 of 24
Let's Take This Outside
@cozydwellings/Instagram
If you don't have space for an indoor dining area, don't force it. Instead, take it outdoors for a roomier al fresco dining experience. A formal table and even a hanging pendant light will make it feel comfortable and homey.
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19 of 24
Wallflower
@amandakirkpatrickphoto/Instagram
Wallpaper prints draw visual interest to the walls, making them dance around the room.
Adding additional focal points throughout the room, like brightly colored chairs, a shiny backsplash, hanging pendant light, and honeycomb tile floors, create the illusion of a larger space. -
20 of 24
Mirror, Mirror, On The Wall
@apartmenttherapy/Instagram
No matter how small (or big) a space is, it can always benefit from a large wall-to-wall mirror setup. The reflection instantly creates the illusion that any room is larger than it really is. We also love how the mirrored pendant lamps in this small dining room add even more sparkle.
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21 of 24
Light and Dark
@ellie.lillstrom/Instagram
High contrast designs have a way of making any space feel bigger. This deep navy shade on the walls, paired with bright whites and black accents make this small dining room feel like a quiet space at the back of a trendy restaurant.
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22 of 24
Minty Fresh
@ellie.lillstrom/Instagram
With the right color combo and a built-in nook, this mint-colored breakfast bistro and checkered floor setup doesn't even feel small.
This cute retro-inspired kitchen proves the quality of style always reigns supreme over the quantity of a space. -
23 of 24
So Fresh and So Clean
@amandakirkpatrickphoto/Instagram
Clean lines and minimal decor will always leave more room for negative space. The more negative space, the bigger any room will appear. This desert boho setup feels modern and makes for the perfect place to have a cocktail after work.
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24 of 24
All Of The Above
Courtesy of Charlie Interior Design
This stylish breakfast nook checks all the small-space decorating boxes, maximizing this little area. The corner bench seating along the wall, a round table, dedicated overhead lighting—it all works together to make the most of the limited square footage. And the best part is it doesn't lack on style one bit.
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Unique interior photos of small dining rooms
Designing a small dining room is much more difficult than, for example, designing a luxurious bedroom.
Very often people complain about the lack of sufficient space in the apartment. But for the imagination, of course, space is not a limit...
You will find many convenient places to dine in our article and you will understand that ingenuity will help overcome the lack of space.
Huge tables with a lot of chairs that you see when you go to furniture stores look very nice, but only in a salon. In the apartment they look bulky and awkward. nine0003
Why do you need a huge oak monster if you are a young family of two? Now we will explain how you can correctly place the furniture for the dining room.
Great idea for one room
Transparent chairs visually facilitate the space
A magnificent table in the center
Classics with a turquoise lamp
Interesting kitchen design
Dinner table in a living atmosphere
Combination of the ordinary and new
Correctly select details
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Beautiful curtains and a large lamp add chic
Cozy dining area by the window
Dinner can vary
We often see gorgeous furniture in large country villas in interior design magazines.
It is not at all necessary to refuse such an option in your home.
Just put a neat table, fewer chairs, complete them with interesting accessories. Think about their shape, think about acrylic seats, and then the dining area will become truly luxurious. nine0003
Add some fun and comfort with a two-seater sofa
Add a touch of color to a modest apartment
Copper lamps, dainty white chairs and a bold pattern on the wall create a striking effect
Dining room like this
If you are a fan of eclecticism, then try it yourself decorate the space. Transparent round or square shapes will create an airy and light atmosphere, and the room will look larger than it actually is. nine0003
Warm yellow colors will decorate and refresh
Cool blue and fashionable gray perfectly combine
Brilliant eclecticism
The perfect solution for small tablespoons
Traditional kitchen with additional places
Lunch at the window
Build attention
American style
9003 Size is a relative concept Not always the opinion that you have little space is objective.
For most architects and designers, the space in which you want to organize a stylish dining room is sufficient to implement an interesting apartment design project. nine0003
Table for two takes up almost no space
Ordinary chairs from IKEA
Curved seatbacks are a great choice
You can turn almost any corner of your home into a cozy dining room. Extra space next to the kitchen or free meters in the hallway is what you need.
You can use small folding tables in combination with lightweight chairs that can be simply removed and the dining area will disappear in a matter of minutes.
Acrylic and wood next to a large window
How about connecting with an office?
Narrow work top
Vibrant yellow colors bring this compact space to life
Lid slides easily into suite
Extravagant chandelier is a highlight
Perfect for a bachelor
Side seats are magic!
Breakfast nooks are a great option if you are trying to create a small dining area.
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Find the “right” table that will allow everyone to sit comfortably, find several places to sit on the opposite side. Hang cabinets on top to store kitchen items.
Organize things right
Private area
Make the most of every inch of space
If you haven't figured out how to set up yet, then round countertops are exactly what you need.
These options fit perfectly in any place, look elegant in the center of the room and at the same time allow you to accommodate a large number of people. That is why many people prefer Saarinen Tulip pieces. nine0003
Everything in one place
Combine bright and white together
Banquet table is stylish and ergonomic at the same time
Fireplace brings coziness to the apartment
The perfect solution for your room
You can always have breakfast here
Who needs walls 9003? The kitchen, located in four closed walls, does not bring much joy to the owners. With the advent of open planning in the middle of the 20th century, interiors became more unusual and interesting.
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Modern design often includes a living room and dining room in one place. That is why a limited dining area is a great option, even if you have free space in the house.
Use beautiful rugs, large pendant lights and modern chandeliers to keep her out of the public space.
Industrial style
Open and compact
All in one room
The kitchen/dining area is a modern trend. Many designers suggest using ultra-cold tones that allow you to beat not only the space, but also the details of the interior. nine0003
It is now fashionable to work with limited spaces that can be expanded or modified.
Suspended chandeliers as a way of zoning
Saarinen's Tulip option is a popular choice for those who want more legroom
Simple and light lighting with comfortable upholstered chairs
Winning dinner space
Natural extension3 of a wooden wall
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