Want to create a cosy dining area but don’t have space for a table that seats six or eight people? Don’t fret! While you might love having people over for meals and regret not having a larger space for them to dine in, these dining room ideas for a small space will help you decorate the room in style, making the most of your square footage and offer optimum functionality.
Dining Room Ideas for a Small Space
No matter how big or small your home is, there’s always a way to maximise the use of space and get the most out of it. Here are some small dining room ideas that will help you set up an inviting table for mealtimes:
- Choose slimmer furniture
- Adopt minimalism in décor
- Use mirrors for a spacious illusion
- Keep the space light and bright
- Utilise the walls for storage
- Colour with contrasts
- Opt for extendable and foldable furnishings
Let’s discuss each of these space-saving ideas for your dining room in detail now.
Choose Slimmer Furniture
Decorating a small dining room is easy if you choose to furnish it with the right pieces. Rather than bulky furniture, opt for slim and sleek tables and chairs that are pulled away from the wall to create an illusion of space. It is also advised that you keep the floor bare and the walls as plain as possible to let the stylish furniture speak for itself.
If you do not have space for a rectangle table, opt for a round one. Also, several space-saving dining table designs allow you to fit the chairs into the table seamlessly, to be pulled away, and ready to be used as needed.
Adopt Minimalism in Décor
Cluttering a small room with a lot of accessories will automatically make it appear smaller than it is. The minimalistic approach is the best here, as it allows you to stage a home for entertaining your guests without overcrowding it with little decorative touches.
You should not only avoid adding too many decorative items into a small dining space, but also ensure that the table itself has enough space for the dinnerware, cutlery and serving dishes, rather than the tabletop being decorated by large vases or ornaments that leave little space on the table for mealtimes. You should also make sure that the table is arranged in a manner that provides sufficient elbowroom to each individual as they enjoy their meal.
Use Mirrors for a Spacious Illusion
Want your small dining room to look larger and spacious? Install a wide mirror on the wall opposite the door. What this will do is create an illusion of space. Anyone who walks in will feel like the room is never-ending due to the mirror’s reflective properties, which will make the light bounce around the room. You can get more of the same effect with glossy surfaces and bright lights, used sparingly around the space.
Keep the Space Light and Bright
Lighting plays a huge role in the way people perceive a space. Bright and airy rooms are considered spacious, while even an open floor plan in a luxury apartment can feel cramped due to clutter. Thus, along with decorating a small dining room with slim and mobile furniture, consider adding bright lights and opening up the curtains to allow that glorious sunlight to shine through. You can also consider setting up a cosy dining area near a large window to make the most of the natural light.
Utilise the Walls for Storage
If you want to store all your dinnerware in the dining room, the small square footage will obviously be a problem. One of the best space saving ideas for a small dining room is to store the kitchenware in an unorthodox way. You can easily maintain the illusion of spaciousness by maximising the use of walls and leaving the floor open for foot traffic.
Do not add bulky wall-to-ceiling cabinets for your china. Stock most of your crockery in the kitchen and only display some of the best china on floating shelves, which you can install in the dining area. These shelves can also hold small decorative pieces or potted plants, but remember to decorate sparsely and leave most of the area plain with the table as the focal point in the room.
Colour with Contrasts
Colour is an essential element of interior design, and contrasting the right shades can bring depth into your living space. Every room needs a focal point, and if your dining table is not grand enough, lure your guests towards one wall painted in a deeper and dark contrast to the rest of the room. Want other ideas to add contrast? Place colourful table mats, wall paintings, or even a vibrant hanging light fixture that wows your guests. Remember to pick only one focal point to add contrast in a small room to avoid a clash of interests.
Opt for Extendable and Foldable Furnishings
It is pretty easy to organise a dinner party in a small space if you plan for it in advance. This includes opting for foldable or extendable dining tables for small spaces, to cater to more than two people when the need arises. Extendable dining tables generally have flattops tucked into the structure somewhere that can be used to increase the length of the table and seat more people around it. In contrast, foldable dining tables might drop down from the walls, roll out from inside consoles, or even lift up from where they were packed flat against the wall to create a countertop for your meals.
There’s a lot of variety when we consider space-saving furniture, and it’s all just about knowing how to make the most of the interior design and furnishing the home for aesthetic appeal and functionality. There is also no longer a demand for matching chairs set around a table. An eclectic mix can work just as well. You might also consider foldable or stackable chairs that can be put aside when the table is not in use.
Now you know some of the best dining room ideas for a small space. Here are some more creative ideas if you want to give your existing dining area a makeover. You can also check out some tips on how to decorate an open plan living and dining space to create a harmonious interior.
Stay tuned to Zameen Blog for more home décor posts. You can send us your comments on blog@zameen.com.
