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What to Do if You Don’t Have Space for a... Dining Room
No separate dining room? Take inspiration from these ideas for fitting an eating area into any home
As the examples below demonstrate, a separate dining room is not the only way to have a cosy and comfortable eating area. Whether you love to entertain or just want somewhere to eat alone or as a couple, there are plenty of ways to combine dining and kitchen areas or make creative use of other parts of the home.
Browse these ideas and save your favourites.
Also in this series: What to Do if You Don’t Have Space for a… Home Office
Browse these ideas and save your favourites.
Also in this series: What to Do if You Don’t Have Space for a… Home Office
Create a dining space in an open-plan room
There are loads of benefits to fitting your dining area into an open-plan room: the cook can be part of the conversation when preparing the next course or tidying up; parents can eat while kids play nearby, and you can have a large dining table without the formal feel of a dedicated room.
In this scheme by Studio Trio, the dining table banquette extends from the living area’s bookshelves, creating a sense of flow from one area to the other. At the same time, the bookcase and bench frame a small gallery wall, which helps to zone the dining area within the larger room. The result is overarching coherence with plenty of room for the different spaces to have their own identity.
Got a project in mind? Find the best expert for the job in the Houzz Professionals Directory.
There are loads of benefits to fitting your dining area into an open-plan room: the cook can be part of the conversation when preparing the next course or tidying up; parents can eat while kids play nearby, and you can have a large dining table without the formal feel of a dedicated room.
In this scheme by Studio Trio, the dining table banquette extends from the living area’s bookshelves, creating a sense of flow from one area to the other. At the same time, the bookcase and bench frame a small gallery wall, which helps to zone the dining area within the larger room. The result is overarching coherence with plenty of room for the different spaces to have their own identity.
Got a project in mind? Find the best expert for the job in the Houzz Professionals Directory.
Work with the shape of your kitchen
Don’t be afraid to think creatively about your furniture arrangement and how to maximise the space you have. Slot a narrow table parallel to the run of cabinets in a long, narrow kitchen, as in this design by Ute Günther, or think about fold-out or extendable tables in smaller spaces.
Note the seating bench in this design: it can be pulled out easily to accommodate extra guests, or tucked neatly under the table, out of the cook’s way.
Don’t be afraid to think creatively about your furniture arrangement and how to maximise the space you have. Slot a narrow table parallel to the run of cabinets in a long, narrow kitchen, as in this design by Ute Günther, or think about fold-out or extendable tables in smaller spaces.
Note the seating bench in this design: it can be pulled out easily to accommodate extra guests, or tucked neatly under the table, out of the cook’s way.
Eat at a kitchen island
Making the island your main eating area has the advantage of pulling the cook into the conversation. This unit by ALL Design Studio is the perfect setting for a meal for two, but larger islands could, of course, accommodate more diners.
If the island is going to be your main dining area, think about selecting bar chairs with back rests, as here, rather than stools, and consider extending the seating area around the corner onto the end of the island for a set-up more conducive to conversation.
Discover why you should hire a professional who uses Houzz Pro software.
Making the island your main eating area has the advantage of pulling the cook into the conversation. This unit by ALL Design Studio is the perfect setting for a meal for two, but larger islands could, of course, accommodate more diners.
If the island is going to be your main dining area, think about selecting bar chairs with back rests, as here, rather than stools, and consider extending the seating area around the corner onto the end of the island for a set-up more conducive to conversation.
Discover why you should hire a professional who uses Houzz Pro software.
Opt for a dining table instead of an island
Not every kitchen has to have an island and, depending on your needs and your kitchen’s layout, a large dining table could be a better use of floor space.
This kitchen has a long run of worktop, so Making Spaces was able to use the rest of the room for an eight-seater table instead. The surface is still useful for food prep, while offering comfortable dining once the cooking is done.
Not every kitchen has to have an island and, depending on your needs and your kitchen’s layout, a large dining table could be a better use of floor space.
This kitchen has a long run of worktop, so Making Spaces was able to use the rest of the room for an eight-seater table instead. The surface is still useful for food prep, while offering comfortable dining once the cooking is done.
Tuck a table into a bay window
If you have a living room with a bay window, consider slotting in a dining area, as in this design by Brooke Copp-Barton. This is the perfect spot for a round table, and it makes for a bright and airy dining space. The light from the windows also makes this a particularly suitable solution for those who prefer to work at the dining table.
Be warned, however: some homeowners may find it annoying to carry dishes across a living room to get to the dining table, especially if the bay is the farthest point from the kitchen. As always, think about your own preferences and how you will use the space.
If you have a living room with a bay window, consider slotting in a dining area, as in this design by Brooke Copp-Barton. This is the perfect spot for a round table, and it makes for a bright and airy dining space. The light from the windows also makes this a particularly suitable solution for those who prefer to work at the dining table.
Be warned, however: some homeowners may find it annoying to carry dishes across a living room to get to the dining table, especially if the bay is the farthest point from the kitchen. As always, think about your own preferences and how you will use the space.
Sacrifice a cabinet or two
If you have a run of units under a window, could you manage without one or two of them? If so, channel your favourite café and build in a dining spot.
Extend your worktop for bar seating, as in this kitchen by Winkelman Architecture, or build in a counter at table height. Here, the window seat is a corner of a larger space, but this is also a good solution for smaller kitchens, especially galley kitchens with a window at one short end.
Discover why you should hire a professional who uses Houzz Pro software.
If you have a run of units under a window, could you manage without one or two of them? If so, channel your favourite café and build in a dining spot.
Extend your worktop for bar seating, as in this kitchen by Winkelman Architecture, or build in a counter at table height. Here, the window seat is a corner of a larger space, but this is also a good solution for smaller kitchens, especially galley kitchens with a window at one short end.
Discover why you should hire a professional who uses Houzz Pro software.
Make the most of a conservatory or balcony
If your home has a conservatory or enclosed balcony, it’s a great opportunity for year-round outdoor – or nearly outdoor – dining.
This example from Interior Fox shows you can do this without abandoning home comforts. This design incorporates a dining table that seats eight, with plush seating and a tasselled chandelier to underscore the homely feel.
Just make sure your set-up is insulated enough for comfortable dining in the winter and shaded enough for summer.
Tell us…
Which solution is your favourite? Or have you already incorporated a dining area in your home? Share your thoughts and photos in the Comments.
If your home has a conservatory or enclosed balcony, it’s a great opportunity for year-round outdoor – or nearly outdoor – dining.
This example from Interior Fox shows you can do this without abandoning home comforts. This design incorporates a dining table that seats eight, with plush seating and a tasselled chandelier to underscore the homely feel.
Just make sure your set-up is insulated enough for comfortable dining in the winter and shaded enough for summer.
Tell us…
Which solution is your favourite? Or have you already incorporated a dining area in your home? Share your thoughts and photos in the Comments.
A breakfast corner within a kitchen is a classic alternative to the traditional dining room. The key is being deliberate about the design: think about how it will fit into the overall look of your home and kitchen, and who will be using it and how.
The Saarinen-style table and midcentury light fixture add interest to this breakfast corner by Best & Company. The table’s single pedestal allows maximum leg room, while the bespoke built-in banquette ensures the space is comfortable both for working from home and dining.