Tips For Small Dining Rooms - How To Make The Most Of Your Space

Unfortunately, we don’t all have the luxury of an ample living space. With housing prices perpetually increasing, many of us are making do with smaller homes. However, existing in a smaller space can be tricky, particularly for large families. Fortunately, with innovative design features and space-saving storage solutions, maintaining a comfortable and functional living environment with minimal space is more than achievable. 

The dining room is one of the most crucial areas in a family home - a place to gather, eat and bond. Here are some tips for making the most of your bijou dining space. 

Make It Multifunctional 

When it comes to smaller homes, multifunctional rooms are vital. While it may seem as though a dining room has one function and one function alone, there is so much more you can do. For instance, you could add some bookshelves and transform your dining room into an office space or study area. If you have enough space for extra seating, your dining area could even become an additional sitting room or somewhere to host guests. 

Play With Colour

Professionals often advise us to paint smaller spaces in paler tones to reflect more light, making the room seem bigger. However, there is only so much this technique can do. All-white spaces can appear flat and uninteresting, so don’t be afraid to play with colour and texture to add personality and charm to your dining room. Consider adding a feature wall for a pop of colour with a vibrant tone of paint or eye-catching wallpaper, choosing colours based on your preferences rather than how they affect the size of the room. 

Keep in mind that there are other methods of giving the illusion of space, such as hanging your curtain rails higher up and purchasing full-length curtains. 

Create A Gallery Wall

Overfilling a small space with photographs, artwork, and wall hangings can quickly make it feel overwhelming and claustrophobic. If you enjoy embellishing your walls, consider creating a gallery wall next to your dining table or seating area for a captivating focal point that doesn’t engulf the entire room. The key to the perfect gallery wall is to vary your items and leave around 3–6 inches between each piece. Consider adding mirrors to your gallery wall to reflect more light and make your dining area appear larger than it actually is. 

Add Some Greenery

Every room can be enhanced with a touch of greenery. Houseplants bring the outdoors in, improving mood and promoting a sense of well-being. Research also suggests that houseplants may positively impact productivity, ideal if your dining room doubles as a work or study area. If you’re new to the world of houseplants, consider low-maintenance species such as spider plants, English ivy and money trees. Alternatively, you could always keep a vase of fresh flowers on your dining table for a cheerful centrepiece. 

Choose An Extending Dining Table

Innovative, space-saving designs are essential for smaller homes. You can make the most of your space with a good-quality extending oak dining table, folding it out to create more room when you have guests and returning it to its original size for everyday family life. You can save even more space by purchasing folding dining chairs and storing them in a coat closet or under the stairs, perfect for accommodating unexpected guests. 

Consider Traffic Flow

The ‘traffic pattern’ or ‘traffic flow’ of a room refers to how easily people can move through it. Negotiating furniture and other family members in a small space can be tricky, so think carefully about your floor plan. Ensure your doorways are clear and free from obstructions so everybody can enter and exit the room safely - something that is particularly crucial during mealtimes when hot food is being served. 

Cosy Lighting

The right lighting can do wonders for a small room. While artificial lighting can make a room appear bigger, harsh, overhead lighting does nothing for ambience. In contrast, soft, overlapping light sources from lamps, candles, and windows can create a relaxing, cosy atmosphere. That said, be extra vigilant when lighting candles in a small space by keeping them well away from soft furnishings like curtains and never leaving them unattended.