I’ve lived with either a small dining room or no separate dining room for my entire life. A lot of people in my position complain about this situation. They’re always wishing they could have a big dining room to host every man in the street and his dog.
If you’re in this situation then unfortunately, unless you’ve been saving or you get lucky, you’re going to be stuck with a small dining room for a while. But it doesn’t have to be a burden. You just need to know how to make the most of it. In this blog, we teach you how!
1. START WITH A MIRROR.
This is the first thing you should start with. You’d be in good company: mirrors are among the first things a designer goes to whenever they have to work with a small space.
Mirrors are great for two reasons. Firstly, they help brighten a space, especially when positioned opposite a window. And secondly, it will make any room feel larger.
So, try to hang as big a mirror as you can for your space. Something is better than nothing, even if mirror is barely half a metre long.
2. GO FOR A SMALL TABLE.
Perhaps it goes without saying that you should go for as small a dining table as you can. It might a bit cosier than you’d like, but you can fit a surprising number of people around something small. Even something as small as a bistro table.
3. IF YOU’VE GOT A NOT-TOO-SMALL SPACE, TRY AN EXTENSION TABLE.
This is handy if you expect to have guests over frequently. This will comfortably fit two extra guests, or more if you’re willing to squeeze.
4. SUB THE CHAIRS FOR BENCHES
As we explain in our blog, dining benches are great for a number of reasons. One of them is that they’re a great storage solution. Just tuck them under your table when you’re done.
5. MINIMISE DÉCOR BUT KEEP THE PLANTS
When thinking about décor, think small and practical. It is really easy to clutter a small dining space.
Something you shouldn’t avoid, however, is the greenery. As we say in many of our blogs, indoor plants are scientifically proven to make people happier and healthier. A medium-sized plant can clean the air by 25 percent! Plus, having greenery in a dining room helps it look more luscious and is great for the vibe.
6. MAXIMISE NATURAL LIGHT
Open up your space not just with a mirror, but quite literally as well. Keep your blinds and curtains pulled back. If you can, keep your windows and doors open. There really is no better way to make the room feel bigger!
BONUS: IF ALL ELSE FAILS, MOVE YOUR “DINING ROOM” ELSEWHERE.
Maybe that room you’re using would be better for living, study, a guest room. Try moving your dining furniture to another room. See how it works.
Happy furnishing!