If you have limited space, you know that every piece of furniture needs to be carefully selected and coordinated to make the most of your living area. If you don’t have a formal dining room, you may need to get creative and arrange the dining table in your living room.
A dining table fits well in a small living room if you have one that is slightly smaller but suitable for your space and needs. The table fits if you have a creative imagination and don’t mind rearranging furniture until it works!
Sometimes all it takes is guidance and creativity to design a comfortable living space. In this article, we will do our best to provide you with some great ideas to help you decide how to arrange your dining table.
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Do You Need a Dining Table?
Let’s first determine if you really need a dining table or not. A dining table is often purchased without much thought, as most people spend their time selecting the “bigger” items like a bed or a couch. Some people simply forgo the purchase and opt for a TV tray while sitting on the sofa or eating at their kitchen island.
If you didn’t have a dining table, how would you offer a meal to your guests? Where would the kids do their homework? Where would you and your friends play cards? Where would everyone gather to enjoy a cup of coffee? The great thing about a dining table is that it provides you with a nice space where you can do so much more than just sit and eat. The table is versatile and a good investment for the household.
To answer the question of whether you need a dining table or not, I would say that it really depends on your lifestyle and whether you believe a multi-purpose furniture piece is valuable to you. If you say yes, then purchasing a dining table is an important and worthwhile expense.
How to Arrange Furniture in a Living Room-Dining Room Combo
If you go with a table and don’t have a formal dining room, you can incorporate the table into the living room by trying out these suggestions. First, I would recommend removing smaller furniture pieces and throwing down rugs that define parts of the space. You want to have a clean slate to work with. Here are some ideas for combining this table with the living room furniture.
- Place the table in a location that would act as a room divider. This provides separation between the living room and another area. Most likely, the kitchen is the other space, so it only makes sense to keep the table closer to the eating area.
- Arrange the couch so that the table can be placed behind it. This gives the table its own defined space.
- Avoid placing the table in front of doors, hallways, and heavily trafficked areas if possible. It will be a distracting obstruction for those at the table. It’s just not as functional or enjoyable in those locations.
Make sure you have approximately 30 inches of space around the perimeter of the table. This will allow you to pull out a chair and sit comfortably without bumping into other furniture pieces.
Eliminating Dining Tables for Small Spaces
If you live in a bachelor apartment or a small house and the so-called dining area simply doesn’t have the space you need for a table, here are some alternatives to consider.
- A wall-mounted table might be the right choice for you. Simply release the table from the wall when needed, and voila – a dining table is ready! When you’re done, simply clean the table and attach it back to the wall to regain living space.
- Utilize the island in your kitchen or a portion of the countertop as a dining area. Simple enough, right!
- Buy a coffee table that can transform into a dining table. These tables have sections that can be lifted up, allowing you to place a meal on it and comfortably eat.
- How about a sturdy shelf standing in front of a window? You can enjoy the view of nature while having a meal and a drink.
Your options are only limited by your imagination and your budget.
Small Apartment Ideas for Dining Tables
If you have a small apartment, then your living area is even more limited as you can’t renovate to accommodate your dining needs. If you live in a condo, you may have the option to break down or add walls, but that’s not always the case. So, what do you do?
- Buy a folding table. A folding table is a great option as you can take the table out of storage and place it in position for eating. When you’re done, simply clean the table, fold it up, and put it back in storage.
- Use the folding table on top. Replace your coffee table with your folding table. Chances are, your living room, although small, is still spacious enough to accommodate this without any problem. Just slide your coffee table out of the way, and your living room becomes your dining room! Turn on soft music for atmosphere and enjoy your meal!
- Bistro tables for two people. If it’s just you (and sometimes one other person), then a bistro table is perfect for you. If you have a balcony, you can buy one of these tables for outdoor use and bring it into your space when needed, along with the chairs.
- A floating shelf. Find a wall in your kitchen or living room that has space for a floating shelf. You can buy a pre-made shelf, which would be the easiest choice. Or you could make your own. This would be the cheaper (and custom-made) route if you have a limited budget and can’t afford it at this time. Adjust the height according to the chairs you’ll be using.
- Do you have a card table? A card or game table can easily double as a dining table. Simply cover it with a tablecloth, top it off, and you’re ready to go! If the surface of the game table has pockets or holes, no problem. Have a piece of one-sided 3/4-inch plywood cut to the shape of the table and place it on top before adding the tablecloth. This will give you a solid and secure surface for eating. Afterwards, the plywood can be removed and stored in a safe place.
- Use a desk for eating. Most people have a desk. It’s a common piece of furniture that many own as working from home is often necessary nowadays. Clear it off, throw a tablecloth on it, and you’re all set!
- Use your entertainment center. If there’s a unit that’s approximately at table height and free from electronic devices, why not try using it as a dining table? It may not be the best option, but it should suffice.
Ideas for Small Living Rooms
If you know that you need a dining area and have to use your living room for it, there are some things you can do. As mentioned earlier, there are many different ideas for tables that can be integrated into the space. What other options are there if you don’t have a dining area and have a small living room?
- My top choice is investing in a sofa table and integrating it into your small living room. Sofa tables are very functional pieces of furniture and can easily serve as a dining area for 3 or more people depending on the length of the table. Unfortunately, coffee tables can be quite expensive to purchase. However, if you’re skilled in woodworking or know someone who can build one for you, you’ll find that this is a more cost-effective option.
- TV trays are another top recommendation of mine for small living rooms. TV trays are easy to store and very functional, as you can sit and eat anywhere you want. They provide your guests with their own TV tray on the living room furniture. This is a very casual and relaxed way of dining, alone or with others.
If all else fails, eating on your lap while watching TV or listening to music is another option. You’ll save money as you don’t have to buy or custom-make a dining table while freeing up living space.
Conclusion
By now, you should feel confident in selecting a dining table that fits in a small living room. If a dining table is simply not an option, you can easily choose one or more of the suggestions provided above. Just remember that regardless of your space or budget, there is always a choice. Using your imagination and being creative will also help you.
Good luck and enjoy your meal!