Not everyone has the space for the sort of massive family dining table you see in paintings of Thanksgiving dinners. But that doesn’t mean you need to give up your dream of having a beautiful solid-wood table in your dining room. There are plenty of ways to make the most of small spaces and even make them feel a little roomier than they actually are.
Built-in Seating and Storage
In very small dining rooms, there’s not always room for cupboards, china cabinets, or sideboards. Attaching floating shelves to the wall or going with built-in bookshelves helps free-up floor space.
You can also add seating in the form of corner banquettes or benches along the wall or as part of the built-in shelving. For extra storage, put cupboards under the seating.
Use Benches
Chairs can only seat one person. But benches can seat several and they slide out-of-the-way under the table when not in use. Rustic+Modern offers matching benches for most of our tables. And you save $50 when ordering two or more!
Mix-and-match benches with chairs for even more flexibility. Maybe you have chairs on the ends of the table for every day use and benches along the sides to pull out when entertaining.
Welcome Light In
Natural light is one of your best friends when trying to make spaces seem larger. Windows open up a room and natural light brightens the space. The room won’t actually be any larger, but it won’t feel so claustrophobic.
Using a mirror when decorating can also make small spaces feel larger. The reflection tricks your eye into thinking the room is bigger. Plus, mirrors reflect light to help brighten up the room.
Color Wisely
Lighter paint colors tend to make rooms feel more open. But that doesn’t mean you need to shy away from rich or bright tones. Rather, try pairing a light neutral with one other main color. Simple color schemes are visually striking without overpowering the space or leaving it with a busy or cluttered feeling.
For example, a white and light blue room feels open and airy. Then you can add depth by using a darker blue tone in a few decorating elements like curtains, tableware, or seat upholstery. You’re still decorating with just two colors – blue and white – but the variations in blues keep things interesting.
Customize Table Size
Customized furniture will help you make the most of a small dining space. Instead of trying to cram a mass-market table into your space, order a table designed to fit your dining room. Not only will it fit the space perfectly, but you can also customize the style, wood type, and other features.
Here at Rustic + Modern, you get to choose 32-, 36-, or 40-inches for the table’s width and customize the length. We’re pretty flexible. Get in touch with us and let us know what you’re looking for, and we’ll see what we can do.
