SMALL DINING ROOM IDEAS
Designing a small dining room can be quite challenging, but with the right ideas, you can create a space that is both highly functional and stylish. The key is to be strategic with every element, from your furniture choices to your colour palette and lighting.
By maximising every inch of space in the room, you can completely transform your dining room from a cramped or awkward area into a beautiful and inviting dining space. Whether you are working with a tiny apartment space or a combined kitchen-diner, these clever design tricks by interior design expert Zoe Warren at PriceYourJob.co.uk will help you create a dining room that feels much larger, brighter, and more fit for purpose.
Use a Foldaway Dining Table
If your dining room is quite small, a full-sized permanent dining table can very quickly overwhelm the room. A foldaway dining table offers the perfect solution. This will allow you to set up your dining area as and when it is needed. The table can be folded and stored against a wall or in a cupboard. One of the benefits of this is that the table can be used as a different surface, such as a desk space or a crafting area, making it perfect for smaller homes where multipurpose furniture is important.
Go Bright With The Décor
Small spaces can often feel quite cramped and uninspired, but bold and bright colours can change that perception entirely. If you want to add some pizazz to your small dining room, consider decorating it with bright colours coupled with some quirky design touches. A bold, striking colour on the walls and some interesting artwork on the walls will allow you to create a space that becomes a real talking point among guests. Consider a bold and bright feature wall to create a dramatic focal point, or choose some unique lighting fixtures or brightly coloured chairs to add some personality to the space and really make it your own.
Go Small
When space is limited, the furniture you choose is critical. If you don’t have enough space for a large dining table, consider getting a small, round, bistro-style dining table. This is a great, practical table for couples or smaller families. Pair the table with some stylish upholstered dining chairs for an extra stylish look. A smaller table can create an intimate and elegant dining nook. This approach is not only practical, but it also creates a cosy café-like atmosphere.
Install a Dining Bench
Benches are great for helping to save space in smaller dining rooms. Bench chairs can provide adequate seating for the entire family and have the benefit of being tucked away underneath the table when they’re not in use. This means that you can save on floor space whenever you are not dining. They take up less space than individual chairs and can look very stylish. Benches offer a modern and minimalist look, which helps to contribute to a clean and uncluttered aesthetic.
Use a Retractable Wall Table
For rooms where a permanent dining table is simply not an option, consider making the most of the space with a table that folds up neatly and attaches to the wall. This fantastic temporary dining surface will allow you to save on flooring space whenever it is not in use. These types of tables are perfect for studio apartments, small kitchens, or any area that requires a flexible layout, offering a functional space for meals that disappears when you’re finished.
Keep It Light
It is easy for small spaces to seem dark and gloomy if they are not properly lit. So if you have a small dining room, it’s important to try to keep things as light as possible. Maximise the natural light in the room by avoiding heavy curtains and keeping the windows clear. Supplement with adequate artificial lighting, such as a stylish pendant over the table or sconces on the walls. Decorating the space in light, neutral colours, such as whites, creams, or pastels, will make the entire space feel much lighter, brighter, airier, and larger. Additionally, mirrors are great for a small room. Installing a large mirror on the wall can help to bounce light around the space, creating the illusion of depth and making the room feel significantly bigger.
Use a Circular Dining Table
Rectangular dining tables are a classic choice; however, small dining rooms work best when paired with a circular dining table. The lack of edges on a circular dining table provides a lot of practicality and allows you to navigate the room much more easily without bumping into any edges. You can fit more diners around the table without it feeling cramped, while also saving space. A circular dining table also promotes a more social and inclusive dining experience, as everyone is equally distanced from each other.
Add Banquette Seating
Even the smallest of dining rooms can accommodate banquette seating. This built-in style of seating, often placed in a corner, is a brilliant way to save space while providing comfortable seating for multiple people. Banquette seating can be customised to fit your specific room dimensions and can even include hidden storage underneath the seats, offering a dual-purpose solution for small spaces. The intimate feel of a banquette nook creates a charming and unique dining spot that feels very quaint and luxurious.
Consider a Glass Tabletop
Another excellent choice for a small dining room is a table that has a glass tabletop. The transparency of the glass will allow light to pass through, creating a sense of openness and airiness. A glass table won’t visually dominate the room in the same way a solid, heavy table would. It creates the illusion of much more space as you can see the floor through the table. This makes the room feel less cluttered and more expansive. Paired with minimalist chairs, a glass table can give your small dining room a sleek, modern, and open feel.
Vertical Storage
In any small room, it’s a good idea to think vertically. This is especially true in a small dining room where you may need storage for dishes or décor. Installing floating shelves or slim vertical storage units can help you keep the floor clear while providing practical storage. You can use these shelves to display beautiful tableware, artwork, or plants. This not only helps to keep the space organised but also draws the eye upward, which can make the room’s ceiling appear higher and the space feel larger.
Final Thoughts
Designing a small dining room is all about making smart, strategic choices. By focusing on multi-functional furniture, intelligent use of colour, and clever optical illusions, you can create a dining space that feels much bigger and much more inviting than the space suggests. The ideas above prove that even the more compact of rooms can be completely transformed into a stylish and comfortable place to share meals and make memories. The key is to embrace the unique challenges of a small space and use them to your advantage, creating a room that is both beautiful and perfectly tailored to your specific needs.
MORE ABOUT THE AUTHOR… ZOE WARREN: Zoe Warren has worked as an interior design expert for over 10 years. Zoe is skilled at creating beautiful home designs and can work with a range of budgets to suit the homeowner. In addition, Zoe also provides expert interior design tips and advice for PriceYourJob.co.uk, and her tips have been published in a range of leading press publications.
