Whether you just bought a new place or have been in yours for a while, you may find that all the rooms don’t give you everything you want. That doesn’t mean you need to move, though. Instead, you may just need to make some changes to the way you have things laid out, or how you use your current space. That’s especially true for dining rooms, because they may not be used a lot until you have people over and realize how cramped they can become. Not every house is big, but fortunately there are many small dining room ideas you can use to improve the look and feel of your space.
1). Is your layout laid out correctly?
One of the most important things about a dining room is that it has to be laid out correctly. You need a table that fits the space, and that sits right in the middle. That gives you the maximum amount of space around the table, so people can get in and out of their seats as needed, and without disrupting the people around them. Depending on the size of the dining room, you may also have room for a sideboard or other type of storage, where you can keep extra dishes and serving items. Not all small dining rooms have that space, of course, but if yours does that storage area can really help if you host family gatherings or dinner parties.
2). How many people do you need room for?
Your dining room is a great place to gather, but only if it’s comfortable for your guests. When you’re thinking about your kitchen and dining room, consider how many people you will normally be feeding. If you have a small family you can get by with a smaller dining room. Sometimes, though, you need room for a few extra people who have dinner with you frequently. Don’t forget to consider them in your dining room plans, so you have space as needed. That may mean that you need a bigger table or extra chairs, or that there isn’t room in the dining room for extra storage options.
3). Can you make the room look and feel bigger?
Just having a room that looks and feels bigger can make your dining room much more comfortable. With light colors, a bright white ceiling, and an airy feel to your window treatments, your dining room can be made into a space that appears more open, even if it isn’t. Unless you have the space and funding to knock out a wall and make the room bigger, making due with what you have is what’s important. With a bigger look and feel, you and your guests can love your dining room and have a great time anytime you eat dinner together.
4). What’s the best way to make use of storage?
It’s not necessary to have a big dining room, but it’s important to make the most out of the space that it offers to you. If you have room for a storage cabinet of any type, you’ll want to incorporate it so you can get extra dishes, pots, pans, and serving items into your dining area. That’s especially significant if you don’t have a lot of space in your kitchen, because the dishes and other things you need to serve your guests can then be stored in the dining area. A storage solution that can be put along one wall but that is not very deep may be the best choice, because it won’t stick out into the room very much. That gives you the opportunity to have plenty of storage and still use your dining room for dining.
5). Is your dining room focused only on dining?
Very small dining rooms don’t have space for anything but dining. If you’re not sure how to make the changes you need to give you back your dining space, you may want to talk to a decorator or designer who can help you think through some ideas. Some people use their dining rooms for all sorts of things. They may have some extra boxes in the corner, or a desk by the window where they do their bills and handle other issues. If you have those kinds of things in your dining room, you’re using up a lot of space that you probably can’t afford to give up. That’s worth considering, since a small dining room isn’t going to feel any bigger or better when you add non-dining furniture into it.
It would be ideal if you could just make your dining room larger, but most people don’t have that option. If you have a big gathering, you could host it buffet style so people won’t be sitting in your dining room. That won’t make the room larger, but it will give you the opportunity to use the space fully and keep your guests from being too crowded. By choosing the right size table and proper number of chairs, incorporating good storage if it will fit, and not using your dining room for anything else, you have the highest chance of making the most out of your dining room’s small space. Then you can host your dinner parties, have a relaxing evening with your family, and just enjoy everything your dining space offers.
2 Point Highlight
Your dining room is a great place to gather, but only if it’s comfortable for your guests.
It’s not necessary to have a big dining room, but it’s important to make the most out of the space that it offers to you.
