7 Space-Saving Tips to Maximize Your Small Dining Room

June 14, 2019

Minimalist coffee nook with white and wood adjustable bar stools, a round table, black metal bar cart with glassware, and a potted plant.

Living in an apartment or small home has its challenges, especially as it relates to dining space. When you’re working with limited square feet you have to make smart choices about furniture selection and placement. That’s not to say that your dining room can’t still have a sense of style to it, because it can! Here are seven space-saving tips to maximize your small dining room.

1. Find a Corner

Pick out a corner in your kitchen or living room to transform into your new dining space. Try to find a corner near a window so you can take advantage of natural light. Sunlight is a great way to make the space feel more open and airier!

White and wood adjustable-height industrial-style bar table set with two matching stools, a white vase with green foliage, a hanging globe pendant light, round wall mirror, and a coffee-themed shelf in a bright, minimalist room with patterned rug.

Round tables are a fun and stylish solution for a small dining space and fit nicely into any corner. Mix things up with adjustable bar stools, or a fun upholstery on your chairs to add in more color and texture.

2. Define the Space

Beige and gray patterned area rug with geometric designs, placed under white metal bar stools and near a dark wood shelving unit.

A small area rug helps to define any space. Try tucking your rug underneath the furniture to create a cozy feel and not let the rug overwhelm the space.

3. Choose a Compact Table

Modern dining area with a round glass-top table supported by a black base, two beige cushioned chairs, pendant lights, and wall art including a dog portrait.

Look for tables that have a small footprint while still providing ample dining space. Glass top tables are perfect for small rooms because they don’t take up a ton of space and the clear top feels less intrusive. Add a little fun to your space by making a gallery wall feature.

4. Pull Up a Bar Stool

Dark wood dining table with four matching cushioned stools, beige upholstery, decorative yellow flowers centerpiece, and empty wine glasses.

You can’t have a bar-style table without bar stools to sit on! Bar stools pair perfectly with bar tables and tuck nicely under the table when you’re not using them, saving you precious floorspace. Adjustable bar stools and stools with a swivel mechanism make for great functional choices in small spaces as well!

5. Use Multipurpose Pieces

Rustic wooden kitchen island with built-in wine rack holding four bottles and adjacent shelves storing various wine glasses, paired with two cushioned beige bar stools on hardwood flooring.

In a small space, it’s important your furniture do double duty! Choosing pieces with functional storage means your dining room stays looking tidy—and it never hurts to have a dedicated home for your wine! My Sonoma Collection is full of multifunctional pieces with extra storage and oodles of style.

Also, if you work from home, but don’t have the luxury of a home office, a dining room is a great place for a makeshift workspace. Just make sure you choose comfy and supportive dining chairs, like my chairs with Bob-O-Pedic® cushions.

6. Go Vertical

Black metal and wood coffee cart with mugs, wine bottles, glassware, and a potted plant, next to a tall green plant in a woven basket.

A small shelf is a great place for additional storage without taking up any valuable floor space. Hanging one directly over a bar cart helps to define the space and bring the eye up, creating the illusion of more room.

Speaking of bar carts—they’re great places to stash cookbooks, mementos and even your morning coffee! And the best thing about bar carts… the wheels! You can easily move your cart around your space.

7. Let There Be Light!

Round wooden table with two glasses of iced cola, a white vase with green foliage, a white ceramic elephant, and a plate with a donut and chocolate, set against a bright window with a hanging glass pendant light.

Sometimes small apartments can feel dark and dreary. Light up your space – literally – with additional lighting. Hanging a small pendant light over the table adds extra lighting for cozy dinners at home.

We’d love to see how you’ve styled your small dining room. Please share your photos and make sure to tag @mybobs for a chance to be featured on our feed.