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How to Sneak a Dining Table into a Tricky Space
However small or awkwardly shaped a room is, it’s often still possible to fit in a dining area. Check out these neat ways to slot in a table
Many of us don’t have a designated dining room in our homes and have to find other ways to eke out an area big enough for a table and chairs, especially when we’re expecting guests. If that sounds like you, get inspired by these smart dining spots for tricksy – or plain tiny – spaces. Some slot neatly into nooks, while others can be tidied away completely once your guests leave. With some clever thinking, you can create a dining area in most rooms, no matter how challenging the space might appear to be.
Go for see-through, stackable chairs
See-through dining chairs are visually uncluttering, so you’ll create the impression of more space in a compact area. What’s more, if they’re stackable, it’s easy to store them away when not in use to free up more room in your kitchen. Your table can then double up as an additional worksurface.
Here, the handy built-in wall seat provides an extra bit of space for the table to remain a permanent fixture.
See-through dining chairs are visually uncluttering, so you’ll create the impression of more space in a compact area. What’s more, if they’re stackable, it’s easy to store them away when not in use to free up more room in your kitchen. Your table can then double up as an additional worksurface.
Here, the handy built-in wall seat provides an extra bit of space for the table to remain a permanent fixture.
Invest in a slim table
Opt for a table with slim dimensions and a glass top, so it can slot into most areas and be light and unobtrusive.
If you live in a Victorian property with an extended side return, you might be able to squeeze a dining area in there, or there may be free wall space in your living room into which you can tuck a slim table – perhaps behind a sofa, as here.
You could lay a rug under the table to further define the area as a dining zone.
Need furniture for a small room? Check out these clever space-savers
Opt for a table with slim dimensions and a glass top, so it can slot into most areas and be light and unobtrusive.
If you live in a Victorian property with an extended side return, you might be able to squeeze a dining area in there, or there may be free wall space in your living room into which you can tuck a slim table – perhaps behind a sofa, as here.
You could lay a rug under the table to further define the area as a dining zone.
Need furniture for a small room? Check out these clever space-savers
Make the most of a bay window
The ample window area in this kitchen lends itself nicely to a compact dining space with fitted seating and a small table.
Separate single chairs and a slim table would tuck nicely into a bay, or use a fold-up table if space is particularly tight. A simple, built-in step chair all around the window area will save even more space, or add a wall-hung bench instead. The seating here features handy extra storage.
Discover stylish ways to dress a bay window
The ample window area in this kitchen lends itself nicely to a compact dining space with fitted seating and a small table.
Separate single chairs and a slim table would tuck nicely into a bay, or use a fold-up table if space is particularly tight. A simple, built-in step chair all around the window area will save even more space, or add a wall-hung bench instead. The seating here features handy extra storage.
Discover stylish ways to dress a bay window
Create a curve
If there isn’t quite room for a rectangular dining table – in this country kitchen it would block the way into the room – consider a round one. Here, the homeowners have also cleverly increased seating space by incorporating a generous, curved, built-in bench seat on one side.
Curved edges can often be a great way to max space in a compact kitchen, from soft-cornered cabinets to circular or oval islands and even curved shelves that might otherwise protrude too much into a narrow area.
If there isn’t quite room for a rectangular dining table – in this country kitchen it would block the way into the room – consider a round one. Here, the homeowners have also cleverly increased seating space by incorporating a generous, curved, built-in bench seat on one side.
Curved edges can often be a great way to max space in a compact kitchen, from soft-cornered cabinets to circular or oval islands and even curved shelves that might otherwise protrude too much into a narrow area.
Use your living room
A dining area doesn’t have to be near your kitchen. Here, a bay window has been used to great effect in a sunny living room to create a relaxed dining space that can be dressed up when required.
A dining area doesn’t have to be near your kitchen. Here, a bay window has been used to great effect in a sunny living room to create a relaxed dining space that can be dressed up when required.
Employ a corner sofa
If you have a sturdy corner sofa, it can work wonders as a makeshift dining area. A small, circular table and neat chairs will fit nicely in the L-shape and provide a cosy spot for dinner.
If you have a sturdy corner sofa, it can work wonders as a makeshift dining area. A small, circular table and neat chairs will fit nicely in the L-shape and provide a cosy spot for dinner.
Find a foldaway design
The trusty foldaway table is a must for small homes. Here, this neat little number acts as a compact breakfast bar during the day, but can become a cosy dining table on occasion, too.
The trusty foldaway table is a must for small homes. Here, this neat little number acts as a compact breakfast bar during the day, but can become a cosy dining table on occasion, too.
Slide it away
If you’re planning to revamp your kitchen, consider ways you might incorporate a table you can slide away when not in use into your units.
This dinky design makes for a perfect two-seater, but, with the addition of a drop-down leg, it could potentially become an extendable design to seat two more. Discuss your ideas with a skilled joiner to see what’s possible in your space.
If you’re planning to revamp your kitchen, consider ways you might incorporate a table you can slide away when not in use into your units.
This dinky design makes for a perfect two-seater, but, with the addition of a drop-down leg, it could potentially become an extendable design to seat two more. Discuss your ideas with a skilled joiner to see what’s possible in your space.
Choose garden furniture for indoors and out
Make the most of all weathers and invest in a lightweight table and chairs that you can move around the house or keep outside if you’re short on space. Look for furniture that can be dismantled or folded down, so it can be stored in a loft or shed when not in use.
TELL US…
How have you found room for a dining area? Share your tips and photos in the Comments below.
Make the most of all weathers and invest in a lightweight table and chairs that you can move around the house or keep outside if you’re short on space. Look for furniture that can be dismantled or folded down, so it can be stored in a loft or shed when not in use.
TELL US…
How have you found room for a dining area? Share your tips and photos in the Comments below.
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If you have enough dead space at the end of your kitchen worktop, squeeze in some built-in bespoke seating. You can opt for a fairly shallow sitting depth (especially if you have ample cushions), and team it with an equally slender table to save on space, as seen here.
Choose a table and chairs in the same colours as your kitchen units for a seamless, uncluttered look, and if you can place them by a window, as here, this will help create the illusion of more space.