Style, function, traffic flow – how do you make it work in a small dining room? Think simple and uncluttered.
Determine your needs
In a small space, every piece counts: focus on the basics and work from there.
Size things up
This is where scale comes into play: select furniture that fits your space. But that doesn’t mean you can’t mix it up when it comes to size. Larger pieces and accessories can help anchor a room or add a touch of sophistication when used with discretion.
Opt for multifunctional furniture: tables or seats with drawers, benches that serve as banquettes or storage, upholstered chairs that work in other rooms or buffets that provide storage and a serving area are multi-tasking space-savers.
The dining room table is the focal point of your room. While the shape of your room will ultimately determine the shape of your dining room table, round pedestal tables generally work best in small spaces for seating and traffic flow. With a pedestal table, you can squeeze more people in without table legs getting in the way. Likewise, chairs without arms use less space and can help get more guests around the table.
A few other things to consider when purchasing a table: glass table-tops provide a sense of space, as does “leggy” furniture. An extension leaf is a handy option when it comes time to entertain.
Use colour and light to your advantage
Stick to a monochromatic colour scheme in your small dining room; light or neutral colours on the walls “add” size, while touches of accent colour add flair. Play with light – natural and artificial – as well as reflection: strategically-placed mirrors, glass tables or picture frames will bounce light into the room, making it appear larger.
Window treatments should be simple, in the same colour palette as the walls, and hung outside the window frame to visually open up the space. Consider a single drapery panel to create the illusion of a larger window, or hang curtains from the ceiling to add height and drama to your space.
Do more with less
When it comes to decorating the walls, remember that one large painting does a lot more for opening up a room than a cluster of small frames; too much on the wall makes the room look crowded. Focus on the essential – the dining set – and limit the accessories.
Think vertically
Keep the floor as clear as possible. By removing non-essentials such as decorative items, you are creating more space in the dining area. In addition, tall bookshelves or integrated shelving units provide storage and take up less floor space than a traditional hutch.
More tips
- Replace swinging doors with pocket doors for more space.
- Darker wood colours for furniture and flooring appear sober or sophisticated, while lighter colours are more contemporary and casual. Choose your tone and stick with it throughout the space.
- A built-in shelf can serve as a china cabinet.
- Remove large rugs to create the illusion of more space.
- Folding chairs are ideal for entertaining.