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11 Ways to Define Your Open-plan Dining Space
From a simple rug to built-in furniture, follow these ideas to create a dedicated zone for your dining area
An open-plan living space gives your home a light and airy feel, but that doesn’t mean it needs to be one sprawlingly large room. Check out these clever ideas to zone off your dining area and create an intimate space in which to share dinner with friends and family.
Add a rug
A simple way to zone the floor is to position a rug under the table. It will create a cosy area and feel wonderfully soft underfoot. To counteract food debris, go for something lightweight, so it can be easily picked up and shaken out.
A simple way to zone the floor is to position a rug under the table. It will create a cosy area and feel wonderfully soft underfoot. To counteract food debris, go for something lightweight, so it can be easily picked up and shaken out.
Use natural materials
You can add warmth to a space by introducing natural materials, such as wood, plants, woven elements and fabrics. This solid wood table and the lovely textures surrounding it have created a cosy spot in the centre of the white room. The dining space looks comfortable and welcoming.
You can add warmth to a space by introducing natural materials, such as wood, plants, woven elements and fabrics. This solid wood table and the lovely textures surrounding it have created a cosy spot in the centre of the white room. The dining space looks comfortable and welcoming.
Frame your viewpoint
The modern white table here sits in the middle of a concrete floor and is surrounded by white walls. It’s prevented from feeling lost or clinical by the clever placing of two bright pictures. These colourful artworks root the table to its spot and allow other elements to fall into place around it. It feels cheerful and cosy.
The modern white table here sits in the middle of a concrete floor and is surrounded by white walls. It’s prevented from feeling lost or clinical by the clever placing of two bright pictures. These colourful artworks root the table to its spot and allow other elements to fall into place around it. It feels cheerful and cosy.
Have everything near to hand
Create a comfortable space by bringing in practicality. The wall-to-wall sideboard in this dining area has plenty of room for glasses and tableware, which makes it an easy place to be. The owners and their guests can quickly get at everything, so if someone needs an extra glass, it’s right there. The functionality of the space should help to create a relaxed atmosphere.
Create a comfortable space by bringing in practicality. The wall-to-wall sideboard in this dining area has plenty of room for glasses and tableware, which makes it an easy place to be. The owners and their guests can quickly get at everything, so if someone needs an extra glass, it’s right there. The functionality of the space should help to create a relaxed atmosphere.
Break up spaces
You can make your open-plan space feel cosier by dividing zones with furniture. This large cabinet helps to separate the living room from the dining area to create a more intimate feel. It also has the added benefit of providing vast amounts of storage.
If your budget doesn’t stretch to a bespoke cabinet, try placing a large sideboard or shelving unit between the two spaces. Any kind of barrier will help to break up the space and make it feel snug.
Discover more ways to use room dividers in an open-plan space
You can make your open-plan space feel cosier by dividing zones with furniture. This large cabinet helps to separate the living room from the dining area to create a more intimate feel. It also has the added benefit of providing vast amounts of storage.
If your budget doesn’t stretch to a bespoke cabinet, try placing a large sideboard or shelving unit between the two spaces. Any kind of barrier will help to break up the space and make it feel snug.
Discover more ways to use room dividers in an open-plan space
Build in a bench seat
Cushioned benches are both cosy and flexible. Make the most of an open-plan space by building one next to other elements in the room. Here, the bench rests against the kitchen worktop, creating a snug and sociable spot where guests can gather while the cook prepares food in the kitchen.
Cushioned benches are both cosy and flexible. Make the most of an open-plan space by building one next to other elements in the room. Here, the bench rests against the kitchen worktop, creating a snug and sociable spot where guests can gather while the cook prepares food in the kitchen.
Soften the lines
Isolate your dining space from any sharp edges in the rest of the room by choosing a curvy table. The dark, industrial kitchen here provides a moody backdrop to the soft, white dining table and chairs. The angled light fitting puts a spotlight on the dining area and highlights it as a cosy oasis in the centre of the room.
Isolate your dining space from any sharp edges in the rest of the room by choosing a curvy table. The dark, industrial kitchen here provides a moody backdrop to the soft, white dining table and chairs. The angled light fitting puts a spotlight on the dining area and highlights it as a cosy oasis in the centre of the room.
Bring in colour
Cosy up your dining table by surrounding it with colour. An easy way to do this is by choosing bright chairs. Here, the owners have opted for the same design in an array of blue and green tones. It makes the dining space feel warm and cheerful.
Alternatively, paint your existing chairs in either one bright colour or a variety of shades.
Find out how to mix and match in your dining room
Cosy up your dining table by surrounding it with colour. An easy way to do this is by choosing bright chairs. Here, the owners have opted for the same design in an array of blue and green tones. It makes the dining space feel warm and cheerful.
Alternatively, paint your existing chairs in either one bright colour or a variety of shades.
Find out how to mix and match in your dining room
Weave in some rustic charm
It can be difficult to create a cosy dining spot in a large, contemporary space like this one. However, the homeowners have managed it here by choosing a rustic farmhouse table and chairs. They are so different to the rest of the space that the dining area feels quirky and unique, and the ornate shapes give the room some vintage character.
It can be difficult to create a cosy dining spot in a large, contemporary space like this one. However, the homeowners have managed it here by choosing a rustic farmhouse table and chairs. They are so different to the rest of the space that the dining area feels quirky and unique, and the ornate shapes give the room some vintage character.
Cosy up with fabrics
A great way to warm up a plain dining space is by adding some cheerful cushions. The bright fabric on the seat cushions here livens up the simple wooden table and adds a comfortable element to the space.
What do you think of these dining space ideas? How have you made your dining area feel cosy? Share your photos and ideas in the Comments below.
A great way to warm up a plain dining space is by adding some cheerful cushions. The bright fabric on the seat cushions here livens up the simple wooden table and adds a comfortable element to the space.
What do you think of these dining space ideas? How have you made your dining area feel cosy? Share your photos and ideas in the Comments below.
You can separate your dining space by marking out the area on the floor. Here, an unusual hexagonal pattern looks stunning beneath the table and instantly closes the space. The large open area has been given a quirky and cosy feel.
You could use floor paint to mark out simple lines, or create your own, more elaborate design.