You don’t have to have a separate room to create your dream dining room. While a formal dining room is a luxury, you can also create an elegant and inviting dining room in an existing space, whether it’s your living room or your kitchen.
But how do you make a space also function as a dining room? All you need are a few expert tips to help you start zoning the space and creating an aesthetic that’s both casual and chic.
Here’s what our experts had to say.
How to create your dream dining room
“If you have limited space but need to integrate a dining room into your living space, the most important thing to consider is how to integrate it with the rest of the decor,” advises the interior designer. Interior Beth Dadswell, from Imperfect Interiors. (opens in a new tab).
‘Consider the design of the dining chair backs, as these can be seen when watching TV. Cover an unattractive dining table with a linen tablecloth if the style of this one doesn’t quite work, and style it as you would a shelf with pretty bowls, candles and flowers.
“If you can build a bench or a picture window seat, because that means you can squeeze more people around a small table.”
1. Install banquettes to maximize space
(Image credit: Jessica Lagrange/Tony Soluri)
Benches are a great space-saving option, perfect for a small kitchen.
This is a bench seat that has been customized for the space and can run straight along a wall or be installed in a nook or corner. The ‘budge-up’ factor allows for a relaxed feeling, while practically allowing more butt on the seats in a small space.
A banquette can also provide a little extra kitchen storage with the addition of hidden drawers in the base.
Eddie Maestri, owner and principal architect of design firm Maestri Studio (opens in a new tab)is a fan. “I love using banquettes, especially for tight spaces when we don’t have the clearances for a full set of chairs,” he tells us. “I love how a banquette can make a space more cozy and intimate. It invites guests to sit down and stay awhile.
The beauty of banquettes is that they use any free wall space or awkward corner and turn it into a beautiful space. It’s also the perfect way to add color or a pattern into the fabric.
“A banquette is a designated space to gather and enjoy meals,” adds Lindye Galloway, founder of Lindye Galloway Studio + Shop. (opens in a new tab). “Tucked into a corner, banquettes can always be a highlight in the home when intentionally designed with the purpose of gathering together.”
And, while banquettes are often thought of as a small kitchen dining idea, they can actually work great in other areas to create a dreamy dining space, including the living room.
2. Add seating to the kitchen island
(Image credit: Mary Wadsworth)
Benches do not have to be consigned to the edges of a room. Using it at the back of a kitchen island is a clever way to maximize space (your table can be closer to the island as there is no need to pull chairs in and out exterior) while creating an aesthetically appealing interior design element.
The beautiful Gunter & Co space above adds color and texture with a beautiful fluted backdrop and arched dark pink upholstery.
This style provides a more comfortable spot for long lunches and brunches than bar stools on an island.
“By combining an island with a dining table configured this way, you can save about 5 feet of space while still maintaining the functionality and drama of the coveted kitchen island,” says Annie Ebenston, chief designer at kitchen design studio Blakes London. (opens in a new tab).
3. Place your dining room next to a window
(Image credit: Gunter and Co)
“Often the most successful dining nooks are placed next to or near a window, as the natural light helps create a bright and inviting environment,” says Clara Ewart, design manager at Kitesgrove. (opens in a new tab).
If you’re short on square footage, a dining space with window seating is a charming idea. But you can also create a cozy dining area in front of floor-to-ceiling windows that can open onto the garden.
But how to make it cozy? “Incorporating a palette of warm, textured fabrics can help create a feeling of softness and cocooning in the space while soft furnishings, such as cushions or curtains, help introduce comfort and texture while ensuring that the space is used for spending time, not just as a dining room,” suggests Clara
4. Put a dining table instead of a kitchen island
(Image Credit: Interior Design by Imperfect Interiors / Photo by Chris Snook)
If you don’t have space for a kitchen island as well as a dining table, just place the table in place of the island.
It’s a smart solution if you like to entertain but don’t have a designated dining area. A table can serve as both a dinner and a prep station.
“Consider having a dining table in the middle of the kitchen rather than an island – it can still be used for cooking prep and is very sociable when cooking,” says interior designer Beth Dadswell of Perfect Interiors. (opens in a new tab).
5. Place a rug under the dining table
(Image credit: Lindye Galloway Studio + Shop/Chad Mellon)
When creating a dream dining space in an existing room, adding an area rug under the table helps zone the area while providing a more plush feel underfoot.
A rug can also energize a design scheme by bringing a splash of color and texture to the area.
“A dining room will almost certainly need a rug, especially if the room has a hard floor (like wood or tile), not only to zone the space but also to prevent the chair legs from scratching the wooden floor,” says interior designer Irene Gunter.
“Opt for a sisal or other natural grass rug or bedroom square,” suggests Irene. “These can be tied to match the color scheme, and of course there are also options for colored sisal or coir.”
(Image credit: Lindye Galloway Studio + Shop/Leslie Brown)
“We also like a flat weave rug; it’s a simple design option, adding texture and a feeling of comfort and warmth,” adds Irene. “Remember that a rug under the table and chairs also softens the acoustics and makes a hard floor more comfortable.”
6. Make a design statement with lighting
(Image credit: Maestri Studio/Stephen Karlisch)
When it comes to dining room lighting, you always have to combine form and function. Yes, lighting is basically installed to brighten up the space and let you see what you are eating, but it is also an important design element that can provide comfort while zoning the space into a small area.
And it can come in all shapes and sizes; this stunning Maestri Studio space above features an Art Deco-style chandelier that adds extra gravitas to a bold and beautiful dining area.
An oversized industrial-style pendant always works well on a round table, or choose clusters for oval and rectangular dining tables, as seen in the Jessica Lagrange Interiors space above.
“Lighting can be a great statement and helps separate the room if it’s an open space,” say Jen and Mar, co-founders of Interior Fox. (opens in a new tab).
“If it’s a round table, consider the size of the pendant: no bigger than half the table (or maybe 3/4) depending on the style of the light,” they suggest. “If it’s a rectangular table, consider adding two pendant lights, one long, or even three to five small.”
7. Hang artwork for added impact
(Image credit: Lindye Galloway Studio + Shop/Chad Mellon)
When it comes to decorating a dining area, remember to decorate it like you would any other room: with rugs, upholstery, lighting and artwork. art.
This makes the space feel like a designated dining area and at the same time adds design weight to the area.
The artwork you choose should mirror the rest of your decorating style. opt for neutral hues in a modern farmhouse kitchen or add a splash of color in an all-white space.
8. Incorporate a sofa for a plush feel
(Image credit: Maestri Studio/Jenifer McNeil Baker)
Want to turn your dining area into a luxurious meeting place? Choose an on-trend sofa in a sumptuous velvet fabric for an ultra-luxe yet easy-to-achieve look.
A curved sofa is always an elegant choice that adds tranquility and timeless style to a space.
Not only will this improve the aesthetics of the area, but it will also ensure that it is a place where you want to spend time for all sorts of reasons, whether it is eating and socializing, reading, crafting, organizing… or enjoying. a cat nap in the afternoon (shh! We won’t tell).
