Maximising space in a small dining room

Comfortably accommodating your guests in a small dining room can be a challenge. The table and chairs naturally dominate the space, leaving little room for you to serve food and drinks. Then there is the question of where to store the crockery, cutlery and other essential homeware for hosting meals such as table mats and tablecloths. Before you know it, you're dining in an overcrowded space with your guests desperately trying to avoid knocking elbows as they eat!

Fear not. Maximising storage in a small dining room is easy with these straightforward ideas from our design experts. From tried-and-tested tricks that make spaces seem larger to simple furniture swaps, just a few key changes are all it takes to generate a total transformation.

Utilise wall space

Traditional furniture like cabinets and bookcases takes up a significant amount of floorspace which could be put to much better use in your dining room. Utilising the walls is a great way to create room without compromising your design or storage options.

Consider updating your existing furniture to modern solutions such as wall-mounted cabinets, or floating shelves which further contribute to expanding the space in the mind's eye. Plates and glasses can be displayed attractively when not in use, alongside other décor like houseplants. Your freed-up floorspace will revolutionise your small dining room design, letting you fit in more chairs and ensuring clear pathway around them.

Add hidden storage

Minimising mess naturally maximises space, but this is especially challenging in a small room. There are simply not enough places for your possessions to go, so inevitably surfaces are left cluttered. Even if your belongings are kept out of sight, the storage solutions themselves can make a small dining room look overcrowded and feel claustrophobic.

This is where options like Hammonds' fitted dining room furniture come in. Integrated seamlessly into the shape of your space, these tailored pieces give you the option to showcase or conceal your belongings as required and make use of awkward areas like alcoves that are otherwise wasted.

Choose multi-functional furniture

Why have two pieces of furniture crowding your small dining room design when one could do both jobs? Multi-functional furniture is the hero in snug spaces, keeping the room open and welcoming while ensuring the design still works for you. Examples include hollow bench seating or a dining table with in-built drawers. Remember that sideboards can be repurposed as serving spaces during dinner parties.

You could also consider clever furniture which can be expanded when needed and shrunk down significantly or stored away when not in use. Look into the option of extending tables and even foldable chairs. More simply, opt for a curved glass dining table - these take up less space visually and can accommodate more chairs than a traditional square or rectangular table.

Trick the eye

As the pièce de résistance, implement some of the design tips used by industry professionals to create the illusion of space in small rooms. Working to introduce light and reduce shadow could make your dining area appear double the size.

Begin by brightening your paint colour: a lighter shade will make the space feel more expansive. If you want to add some dimension, consider a deeper colour on the lower half of the wall while leaving the upper portion and ceiling light. Optimising your lighting is also key. Replace harsh overhead lighting that can cast shadows with dimmable bulbs or a strategic configuration of lamps which illuminate all corners with a soft glow. Placing a mirror opposite a light source, including your window, will further help to make your dining room feel bigger.

Book your bespoke design visit today

Keen to hear more small dining room design ideas or investigate our suggested storage solutions? Book a free design visit with our experts so they can assess your space and make recommendations for maximising storage and more.