Tiny dining made easy
According to an article by the Telegraph, homes in the UK are shrinking, with many modern living rooms over a quarter smaller than their 1970s counterparts. And no room in the home is safe. Bedroom or bathroom, new build houses ask you to do more with less, with one particularly notable casualty: the great shrink-down of the dining room.
Unless you live in an older property, the large family dining room seems to be a thing of the past, partly due to contemporary homes favouring more fluid, open-plan layouts. Yet we still seek the cosy atmosphere of a dedicated dining space. So while the present-day dining area might be smaller, it’s still most definitely something we treasure.
If you’re working with less space and wondering how to make mealtimes magic with the family, make sure to stick around. We’ve got small dining room ideas to maximise your space and elevate your experience at the same time…
1. Revamp alcoves with fitted storage
One surefire way to transform your dining space is with fitted storage - a particularly handy option if you need to make use of some awkward alcoves.
Suddenly that chimney breast won’t look like such a nuisance. Twin alcove units will instantly give it a statement aesthetic, as well as provide some much-needed dining room storage.
Ideal for keeping your dinner service and glassware easy to hand, dining room display cabinets are the perfect combination of style and convenience.
This small dining room idea is one that’s fantastic for older properties.
2. Make serving easy with a lazy susan
When you’re crowded around a table, it’s so important to make sure that everyone can reach their favourite dish.
This is where a lazy susan turntable can be a game changer. Whether you’re putting a selection of nibbles on the centre of the table or keeping the condiments close by, this smart little addition helps your guests grab whatever they need just by spinning the lazy susan around.
They’re such a simple accessory but deliver plenty of panache to your dinner proceedings. For best results, pair with a round table so that the lazy susan can sit dead centre.
3. Start the party with a home bar
As small dining room ideas go, you really can’t go wrong with a home bar. This sophisticated storage is fantastic for making your dining area a hub for hosting and also creates a gorgeous focal point for your interior.
To make the most of this fitted storage, built-in lighting is a must for that added wow-factor. It picks out every contour of your bottles to give your finished design a stunning lustre, and with extra storage in the base, you can even store away your dinnerware ready for whenever you need it.
Home bars don’t need to be huge to be effective. With fitted storage, you can work one even into smaller nooks and corners to make entertaining effortless.
4. Save space with an extendable table
Most of the time, you’re going to want to save as much room as possible in a smaller dining area, so a petite table is all but a given.
But the benefit of an extending table is that you can make it larger to seat extra people by pulling or folding out sections.
A real classic small dining room idea, this versatile piece of furniture lets you maximise your hosting capacity whenever you need it, but also reverts back to a compact design in moments.
5. Create a dining area in a multipurpose room
Contemporary homes have less clearly defined spaces, favouring instead more freeform layouts. You might not have space for a dedicated dining room but that doesn’t mean you can’t carve out a dining area in a larger interior.
Multipurpose rooms are a great place to create a dining nook. It could be part home office, part reading corner, part entertaining space - let your imagination run loose.
Modern interiors are all about flexibility and functionality, so don’t be shy about mixing up how you use the space.
Bonus tip: bay window seating can be a great accompaniment for smaller dining spaces because they let you bring the table much closer to the wall. The end result is a snug, compact dining area that takes up less space without sacrificing seating - and you get some added storage too!
6. Cosy up in a corner nook
If you’re really stuck for space, all you need is one good corner. You can transform a corner space into a mini dining area by bringing in a small table and chairs set, or even bring in some banquette seating to make the best use of your space.
A fold-out table attached to the wall can also be a superb option for tight spaces, because it means when it’s not in use, it rests completely flat. At a moment’s notice, you can reclaim that floorspace and open out your room again.
Fantastic for house parties when you want the most standing space possible but also great for more intimate get-togethers where you want to wine and dine your guests.
Entertain in style, even with less space
Whether you need to maximise storage with an elegant display cabinet or want to add some flair with a home bar, you’ll find plenty to whet your appetite here at Sharps. If you’re working with a dinky dining room, we’ll help you unlock its full potential with fitted furniture that maximises every millimetre.
Book your Free Design Visit today and discover gorgeous designs that’ll have you dining in style.
