How to Select Dining Room Furniture for Small Spaces

Large or small, dining rooms are the places where families and friends gather, food is shared and memories are made. With the right selections, your small space dining room or eat-in kitchen can be the spot where your friends and family love to hang out.

Measure It Out

When you have a smaller space, it’s very important to plan and measure carefully. Before you come into the store to buy your furniture, take newspaper or lightweight paper and lay out the room so you see how much space a table is going to take up. For an example, use paper or painters table to measure out the table size in your room. Then, measure out how much space chairs will take up they are pulled out. A 40 inch table may look a lot different in your dining room than it does it the store.

Just as important as the size of the space is the people who use it. Think about how many people will normally use the table, then consider holiday gatherings or parties, and extra guest seating. Consider who is going to use space--kids, seniors or somewhere in-between?  And think about mobility issues for your family--does someone use a walker or cane, or need some extra space to get around? Not sure of what else to consider? Just come in and talk to one of our design consultants. They know the questions to ask to help you think through the best options for how you’ll use your dining furniture. We’ve even have a handy how to

on our website that you can use to help.

Flexible Function for your Space

Once you’ve got your space measured and have an idea of what you are looking for, come take a look at our great selection of

. So many items in our store are made to be flexible and can expand for when you need extra space, like a holiday or family gathering, and go back to a smaller size when you don’t. A drop-leaf table can fold out when you need to add extra room yet can be placed with a leaf down against a wall for everyday use and take up less floor space. Some expanding tables have self-storing leaves that just slide out so you can seat an extra person or two at the table. It’s quick and easy to transform from a 4-person to a 6 or 8-person table and you don’t need to worry about where you’re going to keep those extra leaves when they are not in use.

Keep it Simple

To keep from overwhelming a smaller dining room or eat-in kitchen, look for a table and chair design that’s simple and open. An open back chair with a simple straight leg is a good way to go because it makes the room feel more spacious. A straight leg design takes up less floor space and allows you to squeeze an extra chair or two around the table, which is what those family gatherings are all about.

With so many finishes, from cherry to natural to painted, you can add some design oomph with color and keep the furniture size in scale. Our Canadel line has an unbelievable number of combinations so you can create the exact look and feel you want for your meals together.

Also, consider the footprint of your table. A round pedestal table works well for traffic flow and chairs will tuck completely under it to maximize traffic flow when you aren’t using the table. If you are thinking about a table with corner legs, pay attention to how the legs are positioned on the table. For a rectangular table, consider bench seating for the sides with a chair at either end. Because it doesn’t have a back, a bench can pushed completely under the table, and can be used in other spaces, like an entryway or as extra seating in a living room. Benches may also have storage for extra napkins or table runners so they are a great option.

Extra options

Looking for some extra seating space but don’t have room for a bigger table? Take a look at a kitchen island, which can be used for storage, as a food prep space, then do double duty as overflow eating space or as a breakfast counter. These mobile islands can be easily rearranged for the best traffic flow in your room. If you are tight on storage space, consider a table with storage in the base. Some have shelving, so you’ve got a place to put extra serving pieces, and some have a built-in wine rack. By using furniture that has more than one use, you make the most out of tight space and make your dollar stretch a little farther.

For the right space, a buffet or server is a good consideration. Use it as everyday storage for serving pieces, tablecloths and other items, then make it the host for all those yummy holiday specialties. A piece like this is also a good way to punch up your style when you choose a complimentary color or finish, and then stage it with accessory pieces like a small lamp, pottery or plants.

Big Family Memories in Small Spaces

A small dining room space doesn’t have to limit your chance to create great family memories. With some planning, a little help from your Grand design consultant. and your personal touch, even the tiniest spaces can make big family connections.

This is part of an ongoing series on dining room furniture, written by Paul Hurst, one of Grand’s Assistant Store Managers. If you’d like to contact Paul or schedule a consultation with any of our design associates to find the perfect dining room set, send an email to DiningExpert@grandhomefurnishings.com.