When designing and furnishing the dining room, it is just as important to keep in mind precisely what functions it needs to fulfill as it is to have it be a beautiful show-stopper.
Below we will walk through a few considerations that will ensure you get a room tailored to your style and unique needs. Taking the time from the beginning to evaluate your vision and the practical demands of a dining space can get you the perfect match of form and function.
Maximizing Seating in a Small Dining Space
Small spaces provide a unique challenge when it comes to dining areas. Dining rooms may seem like a one-trick pony. It is in the name, isn’t it? You are there just to dine? More often than not, these rooms serve several purposes and can be our homes’ central hub or showpiece. That is why it is vital to give their design proper care.
You want to comfortably seat as many people as possible while still maintaining functional use of space. No one likes to sit at a table and constantly be worried about bumping elbows with their neighbor or knocking into chairs as they walk.
So without further ado, here are our top tips on how to increase seating in a small dining space.
1. Table Shape
If you find yourself short on space within the room, certain style options can help you make up the difference. You can generally expect the following comfortable seating by the length of the rectangular dining table:
- 4 feet: Seats four people
- 5-6 feet: Seats six people
However, round and oval-shaped tables can give you comparable seating capacity to these in a much more compact size. This compactness makes them ideal for those looking to put a dining table in a breakfast nook or houses that lack a defined dining room.
Featuring a single-column design down the middle, pedestal bases allow the widest amount of legroom and can help make a dining room feel more open. And legroom matters in small areas. A pedestal-style base, even on a rectangular table, can allow for more free placement of chairs.
So for those looking for the most space-efficient table, opt for a round or oval-shaped table with a pedestal-style base.
2. Room Layout
Whether you have a separate dining room or have a fully (or partially) open floor plan, if you have a small physical area to work with but have the option of placing a table in different locations within that space, you may want to consider offsetting the table.
The most traditional layout of a dining room is to have the table centered in the space, and this works well to give access to all sides of the table. In small spaces, this often means you may have to select a smaller table and, by association, less seating. One way around this is to shift the table placement to a wall or, even better, a corner of the space.
By making a move away from a central table placement, you are freeing up to two or three feet for each side along a wall. This space comes from not needing to worry about moving or walking behind chairs along those sides.
One thing to remember here is that traditional dining chairs may no longer be an option when you move the table to a wall or corner. Instead, you might need to utilize bench-style seating.
Alternate Seating Styles
While smart table shape and placement within the small dining space can allow for increased seating, sometimes that isn’t enough or an easy option. At that point, you may need to take a hard look at the seating style you need.
1. Bench Seating
If you find yourself with a seating crunch when it comes to your table, i.e., you need to fit more people than chairs would typically allow, a great option is a bench.
Benches inherently enable more people to sit along one side, regardless of the table placement. They can also add some hidden storage depending on the style. For rooms with significant windows, shifting the table to place a bench directly underneath can free up space while making a perfectly placed focal point.
2. Bar Stools and Counter Seating
While they require a higher counter or tabletop to accompany them, bars tools are excellent space savers when it comes to seating. That is why they are so inherently popular across commercial dining and drinking establishments. Bar stools allow additional seating to be neatly and stylishly tucked into awkward corners or along walls that might otherwise go to waste.
But those space savings are also why they fit perfectly in the home as well. They can allow for additional seating right in the kitchen, in a home office or reading nook, or in a dining room while still maximizing your square footage.
Limit Additional Furniture
Serving tables and hutches are as practical an addition to a dining room as they are a style choice. Cabinets, etageres, and serving tables come in a myriad of aesthetics. But these additional furniture pieces can take up limited walking room in small spaces.
Be sure to be selective about additional furniture pieces when working in a more confined area. Storage and display are always important to consider, so look for options that take up less square footage. Wall shelves instead of large hutches and storage built into the bottom of chairs or benches can be excellent options.
Functional, Beautiful Metal Furniture
If you keep in mind your room’s space, needed function, and general design, you will surely get a great-looking space that is as useful as it is inviting. For over 40 years, Johnston Casuals has designed and created beautiful and functional furniture. If you have your heart set on a modern dining area, browse our catalog of handmade metal furniture.
Our pieces are made to order by master artisans in Wilkesboro, NC. From tables and chairs to shelves, we pride ourselves on furniture that will last a lifetime. We work with dealers throughout the US to deliver the highest quality furniture to the public. Our handmade attention to detail distinguishes us from other designers and manufacturers.
