Small Space Living: How to Tuck a Dining Area into a Tiny Space
Regardless of the space you have, clever design tricks mean you can squeeze in a dining area that will do you proud. Pull up a chair…
Joanna Thornhill
25 July 2014
Whether you have a tiny galley kitchen or an open-plan, multi-use room, you don’t need a grand space to set up a dining area. From a casual spot for wolfing down a bowl of cereal or pausing for a coffee to a space that works for entertaining friends, here are some ideas you could apply to any setting.
Add a neat breakfast bar
Short of a place to perch for light meals? A breakfast bar can accommodate stools and double up as an additional kitchen work surface, too. These bar stools blend into the scheme, or choose ones that can tuck right under to free up the space if necessary.
Short of a place to perch for light meals? A breakfast bar can accommodate stools and double up as an additional kitchen work surface, too. These bar stools blend into the scheme, or choose ones that can tuck right under to free up the space if necessary.
Choose a multitasking sofa
This is a clever idea for an open-plan kitchen/living/dining space: opt for a sofa with a relatively high and firm seat, then source a small table and lightweight chairs to place in front of it. When you don’t need a full dining set-up, simply move the table and chairs aside and cosy up on it in front of the TV.
This is a clever idea for an open-plan kitchen/living/dining space: opt for a sofa with a relatively high and firm seat, then source a small table and lightweight chairs to place in front of it. When you don’t need a full dining set-up, simply move the table and chairs aside and cosy up on it in front of the TV.
Devise a clever divide
Sometimes simply the positioning of furniture can be key to getting it to work the way you want within your space. The placement of this freestanding bench helps to visually separate the kitchen (behind) from the dining area and living room beyond. In addition, pushing the dining table up against the wall and using the bench at the side for extra seating frees up space.
Sometimes simply the positioning of furniture can be key to getting it to work the way you want within your space. The placement of this freestanding bench helps to visually separate the kitchen (behind) from the dining area and living room beyond. In addition, pushing the dining table up against the wall and using the bench at the side for extra seating frees up space.
Be smart with storage
To carve a dedicated dining space out of a kitchen, try using a freestanding shelving unit. A design that is open or can be accessed from both sides allows you to store your kitchen and dining paraphernalia in one unit while being accessible from both areas. Sticking to low furniture stops the space feeling enclosed.
Discover 10 ways to turn storage into a stylish feature
To carve a dedicated dining space out of a kitchen, try using a freestanding shelving unit. A design that is open or can be accessed from both sides allows you to store your kitchen and dining paraphernalia in one unit while being accessible from both areas. Sticking to low furniture stops the space feeling enclosed.
Discover 10 ways to turn storage into a stylish feature
Fall for a foldaway
A drop-leaf or gate-leg table is perfect for a small kitchen. You can open it to create a dining nook when you need one, then fold it to the size of a console table when it’s not in use. Team it with pretty chairs, or, if you’re really short on space, fold-up seats.
A drop-leaf or gate-leg table is perfect for a small kitchen. You can open it to create a dining nook when you need one, then fold it to the size of a console table when it’s not in use. Team it with pretty chairs, or, if you’re really short on space, fold-up seats.
Build in a banquette
Banquettes are great space savers. This design could seat at least four and takes up hardly any room. If you prefer not to build one in, simply place some ottomans in a nook or corner and cover them with padded foam seat tops (foam is inexpensive to pick up from most markets, and easy to cut to size). As well as maximising a corner that might not practically fit chairs, it will provide useful extra storage.
Banquettes are great space savers. This design could seat at least four and takes up hardly any room. If you prefer not to build one in, simply place some ottomans in a nook or corner and cover them with padded foam seat tops (foam is inexpensive to pick up from most markets, and easy to cut to size). As well as maximising a corner that might not practically fit chairs, it will provide useful extra storage.
Take the circle line
Circular tables can be especially useful in awkward corners, or to aid a free-flowing feel throughout a tight space. If your dining area leads to a balcony or patio, choose furniture that can be used outside, too. As well as being practical and freeing up space inside when necessary, outdoor furniture can add a quirky touch to an interior space.
Explore 10 ways with circular tables
Circular tables can be especially useful in awkward corners, or to aid a free-flowing feel throughout a tight space. If your dining area leads to a balcony or patio, choose furniture that can be used outside, too. As well as being practical and freeing up space inside when necessary, outdoor furniture can add a quirky touch to an interior space.
Explore 10 ways with circular tables
Customise your table
If you can fit in a fair-sized table, consider painting it the same shade as your walls so it visually blends in. To give it a decorative touch that’s less blocky than a draped tablecloth, cut a piece of oilcloth fabric slightly larger than the top, pull it taut and staple it to the underside of the table. As well as looking smart, it will be wipe-clean, too.
If you can fit in a fair-sized table, consider painting it the same shade as your walls so it visually blends in. To give it a decorative touch that’s less blocky than a draped tablecloth, cut a piece of oilcloth fabric slightly larger than the top, pull it taut and staple it to the underside of the table. As well as looking smart, it will be wipe-clean, too.
Go for similar styles
This table not only works for mealtimes, it helps to zone this triple-function room, creating a barrier between the functional cooking space and the relaxed living area. By running a decorative common thread of light, retro-inspired pieces throughout the furniture, the space feels considered without being matchy-matchy.
This table not only works for mealtimes, it helps to zone this triple-function room, creating a barrier between the functional cooking space and the relaxed living area. By running a decorative common thread of light, retro-inspired pieces throughout the furniture, the space feels considered without being matchy-matchy.
Embrace informal dining
There’s no reason dining has to happen around a formal table, especially if you’re struggling to fit one in. Here, a corner sofa and coffee table can easily be converted into an informal spot for afternoon tea or a relaxed supper simply by pulling up additional chairs, which can easily be moved aside again afterwards.
TELL US…
Do you have a dining area that’s short on space? How do you maximise your dining space? Share your tips in the Comments below.
There’s no reason dining has to happen around a formal table, especially if you’re struggling to fit one in. Here, a corner sofa and coffee table can easily be converted into an informal spot for afternoon tea or a relaxed supper simply by pulling up additional chairs, which can easily be moved aside again afterwards.
TELL US…
Do you have a dining area that’s short on space? How do you maximise your dining space? Share your tips in the Comments below.
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With a tiny kitchen that needs to have dining space and more storage I use this piece to help add colour, as well as the much needed table seating when people come over :) *Hannah
As we didn't want a permanent dining table, a foldaway seemed like a good idea to get for those times when we might need it. Also, we bought those bar stools specifically because they can be lowered to a typical dining chair height so we can use them with the table.
Anyway, I looked at Wharfside site, but you didn't have this model in stock then, so we bought it from Barker & Stonehouse http://www.barkerandstonehouse.co.uk/furniture/Dining-Room/Tables/Oslo-SM101-MultiFunction-Table/sizes-1830-65263/
(you can see a corner of it below in our messy kitchen in this older pic- I'm just too lazy to go downstairs and tidy up and take a better photo....)