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Small dining decorating ideas


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.

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Updated on 05/13/22

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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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(Image credit: Ginny Macdonald/Sara Tramp)

No one likes bashing elbows at the dinner table – with small dining room ideas that make the most of limited space, it's perfectly possible to make almost any part of the home work as a comfortable dinner spot. 

Whether your table and chairs are crammed into a tiny room, or are just stealing a corner from another space in the house, it's important to stick to dining room ideas that help make dinner time an event in a space of any size. 

Small dining room ideas

These small dining room ideas are designed to suit both open-plan spaces that are squeezed for dining spaces within an open-plan kitchen, for compact dining rooms and for breakfast rooms. Have a browse and be inspired...

1.  Keep it light

(Image credit: Amanda Evans Interiors )

It’s so much easier for small spaces to feel dark, so if you’re dealing with a diminutive dining room, banish the shadows by keeping things light. If you’re seriously renovating, consider getting as much light in as possible by installing the largest windows you can. 

If it’s just a cosmetic makeover, consider the dining room color ideas and paint the walls in light colors and use pale linen curtains. Take note from this example by designer Amanda Evans and install dining room wall ideas or ceiling decor that help bounce light around the room, such as mirrors and crystal chandeliers. 

2. Choose an extendable table

(Image credit: M. Lavender Interiors/Chris Bradley Photography)

With any dining room, there’s a good chance you won’t need it to serve at its full capacity for every meal time – and in a small space, having a large table take up unnecessary space is even more frustrating. Opting for an extendable table means you can use it at its smaller size for day-to-day meals, and make it longer when entertaining guests – you might need to rearrange your dining table decor ideas each time, but it’s worth it. This works especially well in a small transitional space like this dining area off a hallway by designer Mark Lavender , where maximizing mobility is key. 

3. Draw the eye up to make the space feel taller 

(Image credit: Alexis Hughes & Co/Raquel Langworthy)

When thinking about ways of lighting a dining room, don’t think just about the impact of the bulbs themselves, but how the light fitting can help alter the proportions of a room. 

In a small dining room – particularly one without tons of natural light like this apartment example designed by Alexis Hughes – you can help diminish the feeling of close walls by taking the focus of the room upwards. Using a chandelier like this one, with multiple levels and a black contrast to the grey dining room ideas, makes the room feel taller by drawing the eye up to the ceiling.  

4. Make the most of a corner

(Image credit: Ginny Macdonald/Sara Tramp)

If you’re squeezing a dining area into a subsection of a kitchen or living room, it can be tricky to accommodate both a table and room to walk the whole way around it. If this is the case, embrace a room’s corners. 

When designer Ginny Macdonald came across structural issues in this open-plan kitchen and living room conversion that meant she couldn’t remove a built-out wall, she turned it into a breakfast area with a fitted bench made to fit neatly against the corner, turning it from an unforeseen nuisance into her favorite part of the room. 

5. Use visual tricks and curves to enhance space

(Image credit: Future / Emma Lee / Sally Denning)

Checked flooring creates a neat visual trick that can be used in any room. Effectively, the lines created by the pattern draws the eye to the edges of a room, creating a feeling of space that's really useful in a small dining room. Curved backs on dining chairs soften the effect of the stark black and white flooring and, of course, maximize space, too.

6. Pick a circular table for a small dining room

(Image credit: Future / Jan Baldwin)

Small dining rooms are best served by circular or oval-shaped dining tables. The lack of edges is practical in every sense: it allows you to fit more diners around the table comfortably and saves space. The other bonus: it's a more sociable shape for dining at.

7. Make it open-plan

(Image credit: Future / Mark Bolton)

With a more relaxed approach to living, many homes have done away with traditional separate rooms in favor of open plan kitchen ideas. Other more compact spaces don’t have the square footage for a designated area for eating. But it’s still possible to create a small dining space with wow factor that works as a successful zone within an overall scheme.

Open-plan, even if small, dining zones are a popular choice, with many contemporary schemes now embracing a more informal area that blends neatly with kitchen and living space. In a large enough room, this works just as well for formal dining as informal. The key is to delineate the space.

8. Consider banquette seating

(Image credit: Sims-Hilditch)

Even very small spaces can often accommodate banquette seating ideas, fitted into a corner or even on one side of an island, to create a cozy, compact dining spot, while in living areas. This design by Sims-Hilditch shows how to create a small dining space elegantly.

9. Work a window

(Image credit: Future / Davide Lovatti)

Try using the space creatively: window seat ideas can be combined with a table for impromptu dining, while extendable tables can provide multi-functional space. These spaces also greatly benefit from the light provided by the lucrative window position.

10. Optimize an unused hallway

(Image credit: Future / Catherine Gratwick)

Large, open-plan hallways and studies can also work well as dining areas. Erect a narrow dining table near the stairs, or consider a round table in a large hall, while a study or book-filled library with a table at its centre can create atmospheric dining options incorporated into your hallway ideas.  

11. Steal space from the kitchen

(Image credit: Future / Jan Baldwin)

Are you looking for ways to include a dining room in an apartment? An open-plan small dining space within a kitchen or living area increases the fluidity of a room, encouraging a more sociable layout for entertaining family and friends.

'One of the important things to consider when designing a scheme like this, whether it be within a kitchen, living space or even a large hallway, is the availability and use of natural light – a generous window or skylight is great way of extending the illusion of space,' says interior designer Maurizio Pellizzoni .

In planning this kind of area, consider where and how ‘breaks’ are going to be implemented between kitchen, living and dining areas. Use bars or islands, bookcases, consoles and seating to create a natural divide, as well as effective sound barriers from TV and kitchen noises. Another great consideration is traffic space – people should be able to flow through the different areas easily.

12. Get the lighting right in a small dining room

(Image credit: Future / Jan Baldwin)

Lighting is an immediate and effective zoning option. It’s another tool that segments the different functionality of the space. Consider using soft but effective under lighting in a small dining room, which allows sufficient light to put the final touches to one's food, but is discreet enough not to dominate. 

'Try a striking pendant light, chic floor lamp or even an atmospheric candle,' explains Julie Paul, Head of Interior Design, OKA .

13. Cut the clutter

(Image credit: Future / Damian Russell )

With accessories and essentials neatly arranged and out of sight, the space will soon feel orderly and open – a tiny dining room that's crammed full of 'stuff' takes up space, making it feel disorderly, busy and small. Try and keep the floor as clear as possible, too, as it’s one of the easiest ways to maintain a sense of spaciousness, so remove any oversized rugs. A tidy room makes for a great blank canvas for modern dining room ideas too. 

14. Introduce cafe culture

(Image credit: Future / Davide Lovatti)

If you want a kitchen table but don’t have space for a large traditional style, why not choose a small, round, bistro one? It will be a perfect place to sit and have your morning coffee and croissant, as well as adding a little Parisian chic to a previously unused corner of your kitchen.

15. Transform a kitchen island

(Image credit: Day True)

Turn a kitchen island into a small but perfectly formed dining space by adding bar-height chairs. Choosing kitchen island seating ideas that are chairs rather than stools helps to create a more comfortable environment in which to dine, encouraging people to sit for a while, rather than just perch for a few minutes. This is a great option if you love to socialize while cooking.

16. Be a wallflower

(Image credit: Future / Simon Brown)

A traditional farmhouse kitchen table doesn’t have to be placed in the center of the room. If you don’t have masses of space, it can still look great when situated against the wall or in a corner. Keep chairs out of the way, and place flowers, herbs, or a country-style basket on the table to create an attractive display. This helps to make the table positioning established and deliberate.

17. Use a window seat

(Image credit: Future / Simon Bevan)

Make the most of every nook, and the architectural features of your home, by utilising a window seat as small dining seating. The built-in bench on one side of the table will save space, as they are flush with the wall. To avoid the set-up looking too unbalanced, choose a bench or slimline chairs for the side opposite the window.

18. Create a focal point

(Image credit: Natalia Miyar)

Small dining rooms can suffer from a lack of focus. Of course, when the table is laid, and the candles are lit, the table itself is the center of attention – but the rest of the time, the room will benefit from having a design feature that draws the eye.

The simplest trick is to dress the dining table – with a floral display or a sculptural accessory – but you can double the effect by framing the table with a large piece or art that sits behind it. 

This dining room by LA-based designer Natalia Miyar is a case in point, and she also highlights the importance of lighting in a dining space like this. 'Designers love wall lights and accent lighting for a reason,' Natalia tells us. 'There are great options to choose from and they provide interest and style as well as an important yet subtle light source. A mirror flanked with wall lights is an obvious choice for the bathroom, but consider using this format in other rooms, it also works well. 

19. Go for a monochromatic color scheme

(Image credit: Future/Polly Wreford)

Monochromatic color schemes are a great way to make a small dining space feel larger. They don't, of course, have to be all one color, but if you stick to varying shades and tints of one color, you will create a calm room that in turn feels spacious. Add elements of contrasting shades in blocks, such as a light-colored flooring, can only help.

20. Fit a dining area in the kitchen or conservatory

(Image credit: Day True)

Maximize a small dining room by placing it near open windows and doors. ‘Fresh air and good ventilation is key in small spaces, ensuring that natural light and access to outdoor space is maximized and not claustrophobic,’ says Hayley Robson, creative director at Day True . Consider carving a casual dining space in a kitchen or conservatory if space allows. Alternatively, place a dining table below a window with a bench which can be tucked under when not in use. 

21. Fake a dining room

(Image credit: Future / Emma Lee)

Not every space is conducive to formal dining, so instead fake it with a narrow table and bar stools. Invest in minimal, fuss-free designs that still look stylish. Here, bar stools, thing legs and straight lines allow light to enter the room – perfect for small dining rooms in apartments. If you prefer a more maximalist approach, use color, texture and pattern underfoot. 

22. Manage an open area

(Image credit: Future / Davide Lovatti)

Creating a dining zone within a living room requires good planing and design know-how. Choose furniture with a similar look to give the whole space a sense of unity in its design. Look for pieces with a common element, such as the same finish, color or texture so they sit well together. Plus, if your room isn’t on the larger side, look for multipurpose furniture or an extending table so that it doesn’t take over the whole room.

How can I make a small dining room look bigger?

You can make a small dining room look bigger with a variety of clever design tricks. If there’s one thing that’s going to create the illusion of more space, it’s decluttering – it can actually make a room feel wider in seconds. Try to keep the floor as clear as possible, too, as it’s one of the easiest ways to maintain a sense of spaciousness.

Think outside the box when deciding on the type and placement of your table. If you have a tiny kitchen, but a large hallway, why not convert this into a small dining space? 

There are also many drop-leaf small dining table designs available, or ones with extendable sections; these are great for providing everyday space-saving benefits, with the flexibility to seat a larger group when required. A slim drop-leaf table could act as a living room console day to day, and then convert into a small dining table when you are hosting a dinner party.

What is the best shape table for a small dining room?

The best shape table for a small dining room is undoubtedly curved – whether circular or oval. Everyone knows the best conversations happen over a meal, and these table shapes don't just save space – by literally cutting the corners – they also promote sociability because everyone is facing in to everyone else. 

Ailis started out at British GQ, where a month of work experience turned into 18 months of working on all sorts of projects, writing about everything from motorsport to interiors, and helping to put together the GQ Food & Drink Awards.  She then spent three years at the London Evening Standard, covering restaurants and bars. After a period of freelancing, writing about food, drink and homes for publications including Conde Nast Traveller, Luxury London and Departures, she started at Homes & Gardens as a Digital Writer, allowing her to fully indulge her love of good interior design. She is now a fully fledged food PR but still writes for Homes & Gardens as a contributing editor.

Decorate a small dining room - Perfect and cozy ideas

Want to decorate a small dining room but don't know where to start? You don't have to worry because you are going to leave a number of ideas that you will like. More than anything, because they come as a trick to enjoy a little more space, within the possibilities that we have.

Even if you think otherwise, decorating a small dining room is also can make you see the result of the most practical and welcoming in equal parts . Nowadays, it is usually integrated into the decoration of the living room, and for this reason it is necessary to distinguish between both, giving them the space that each of them deserves. Can we start?

Index

Decorate a Small Dining Room: Furniture Not Too Tall

While it's true that tall furniture is stylistic at first glance, it can also make a space a little more congested than expected. So, in this case, we want to talk not about this, but about the amplitude. Something we can achieve with a series of fairly low furniture. We are going to forget to add bookcases in this area or similar furniture. . It is best to be able to focus on the table and chairs. In addition to a good rug, if you feel like it. But whenever we run out of space, it's best to bet on basic furniture.

Bet on white or pastel shades

Decorating a small dining room is nothing better than letting yourself be carried away by a primary color par excellence such as white. Although, if it seems chilly to you, you can bet on pastel shades. . Because they always carry that warmer, romantic and impactful touch in equal parts. So, it's time to make a beautiful combination of them. You will see how the brightness is present and it will give you the perfect optical effect to enjoy a wider environment. If possible, try to position the dining room towards natural light.

Folding or oval tables

Both round and oval tables are ideal for small dining rooms. . Since, due to their shape, they do not take up as much space as rectangular tables. But if you see that they are a little small for as many people as you are, then you can bet on a folding table. Today we have a fairly extensive catalog on this subject, because there are many houses with small areas. You can bet on a folding table as well as a console table that will serve as a sideboard or hall and then a perfect table for family moments.

How to decorate the dining room wall?

Also ideal for dining room walls. Because in this case, we can make it so that the eye also goes to them, creating the feeling that we have a large area in front of us. You can put a pair of shelves that are not just on top of each other, but have an asymmetric finish . They place some decorative details or pictures of not too large sizes, matching in color with the rest of the decor. Of course, you can also make a museum wall with a selection of images from your life or the life of your family. There are always options for every taste!

Add a beautiful mirror

This idea works for all those smaller areas in our house. Because while we mentioned natural light earlier, it's not always possible to decorate that close to it. So nothing like to bet on a large mirror that lights up our entire house . Instead of the pictures or images we mentioned earlier, we can put a nice mirror in a good size and enjoy everything it has to offer. How would you decorate a small dining room?


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photos, interior design ideas in 2022

Where to place a dining table

There are few options - this is a kitchen, living room or dining room. Of course, there are conditions when you have to fit everything you need for everyday life in one small room, even a stove and a bed at the same time. And then one can only dream of a comfortable dining area. But we are interested in considering options without such extremes. In the vast majority of cases, even in a very small apartment, it is possible to organize a space for a pleasant pastime while eating.

Photo source: http://polystroy. com

The most convenient option: canteen

The easiest way to make a dining area is in a separate dining room. This is real in a multi-room apartment or house. If you are building a house yourself, you should think about the dining room in advance.

In this case, the kitchen is located in the room next door, but separately - it is not at all necessary to observe the sink, refrigerator, food, inhale kitchen smells while eating. And you should implement the possibility of entering the dining room through two entrances, one of which leads from the kitchen, the second from other living areas of the house, so that your guests do not have to look at the usual kitchen clutter while heading to dinner at a gala reception.

Photo source: http://www.1stroitelny.kz

In a separate dining room, the table will become the central accent of the room. Requirements for it: sufficient size, reliability in operation, stability and ability to fit into the style of the room. There are no restrictions on the choice of style in this case - everything is at your discretion. It can be luxurious Gothic, and calm classics, and sunny Provence.

Photo source: http://www.myhome.ru/

The main thing is that the dining room should not resemble a hospital - boring and bare walls. The eyes of the person sitting should be comfortable - paintings on the walls, patterns on the wallpaper, decorative elements or the landscape outside the window should not strain. Only the installation of a TV should be avoided, which does not contribute to the peaceful absorption of food and conversation at the table.

Photo source: http://www.berlogos.ru/

Traditional version: kitchen

The dining area in the kitchen is the norm for most city apartments. And if this place is furnished with taste and comfort, then you will definitely have gatherings in the kitchen with friends or family, which will be extremely pleasant memories.

Photo source: http://vk.com/

However, the kitchen is not only a place of communication, but also a functional and actively exploited space. Therefore, for large kitchens, the following is relevant:

Work and dining areas should be separated by 1.5 meters.

Photo source: http://kuhnegrad.ru

In spacious kitchens, you can place tables in the middle of the room, or in any desired place. But, if the area of ​​\u200b\u200bthis room is less than 16 meters, most likely the table and chairs will not comfortably fit in the middle.

In order not to bump into corners while fussing in the kitchen, it is better to place oval or round tables here.

Photo source: http://mebel.postroyforum.ru/

Do not be discouraged if the room is very small: it is possible to equip a dining area even on four square meters. Of course, it is not suitable for guests, but for use by 1-2 family members it will be quite convenient. Ideas for a small kitchen can be found in the article Small Kitchen Interior: Ideas.

Photo source: http://www.zhitomir.info/

In a small kitchen, the dining area should be first of all comfortable and only then beautiful:

Photo source: http://uhouse.ru/

Photo source: http://secondstreet. ru/

Dining area in an open space or living room

The arrangement of the dining area in the living room or in the open space version provides for zoning, that is, the division of space into functional zones. It is likely to be soft, almost imperceptible, especially if the dining area is combined with a place to relax.

Photo source: http://womenitems.ru

Zoning achieved with:

Photo source: http://www.gress.ru/

The dining area should not be located in the corner and near the exit.

Photo source: http://www.domfront.ru/

On the other hand, a furniture dining set will look great in a bay window, near the window sills, in the center. A rectangular table will also look good if one of its narrow edges rests on a niche.

Photo source: http://www.domfront.ru

In an open space, a dining table is well placed between the kitchen and lounge areas.

Photo source: http://vash-dom.mirtesen.ru/

A few nuances: parameters, seating, light

Options

In addition to aesthetics and convenience, the kitchen and dining room must be safe, for this, when arranging furniture, it is necessary to use the principles of ergonomics. So, one person will need at least 0.7 meters for comfort at the table. The distance from the walls should not be less than half a meter. Convenient height - 0.8 meters.

Photo source: http://arx.novosibdom.ru/

Photo source: http://homester.com.ua/

For a family of 4, a table with a minimum area of ​​1.2 x 0.8 meters is suitable.

Learn more