contemporary dining room design & Creative Solutions for Tight Spaces
3 Smart Ways to Maximise Space in a Small Dining Room
Are you struggling to decorate your small dinning room? Wondering how to make the most out of every square foot? Well I feel you. As an interior designer with experience in small-space solutions, I understand the challenge. This year, I’ve been decorating my own small apartment, focusing on an efficient layout and smart storage for our tight open-plan living and dining area. I wanted to create a contemporary dining room design that optimised space while still feeling stylist and aesthetic.
1. Built in Seating
is an excellent space saver for smaller dining rooms and it brings a relaxed, informal feel to entertaining. By incorporating a bench along one wall, you can free up valuable floor space and create a more open, uncluttered layout. It’s a particularly smart option for smaller households, as the dining table can be positioned closer to the wall for everyday use and easily pulled out into the room when you're entertaining guests. To enhance comfort and add a layer of visual warmth, I recommend adding a long, cushioned seat pad in a fabric that complements your overall interior scheme. You could even layer it with a few scatter cushions for added texture and support, creating a cosy nook that invites people to linger a little longer around the table.
Photo: Pinterest
2. Extendable Tables
When used thoughtfully, an extendable table can be a real game changer—especially in the right space. I’ll be honest: I’ve never been the biggest fan of extendable tables from a design perspective. But I also believe that good interior choices are as much about practicality as they are about aesthetics—and in small spaces, flexibility is everything.
That’s why, after some consideration, my partner and I decided to invest in one for our apartment. We loved the idea of hosting friends for dinner or having board game nights, and the ability to extend the table when needed just made sense. Most of the time, it’s just the two of us, so having a large 6–8 person dining table out all the time would have overwhelmed the space and felt unnecessary.
What I’ve come to appreciate most is the versatility it offers. When extended, it transforms our dining area into a welcoming spot for entertaining, but when it’s scaled back, it opens up the room and keeps things feeling spacious and uncluttered. It’s a practical and stylish space-saving solution that I now highly recommend for anyone working with a compact dining area or multifunctional living space.
Photo: Really well made
3. Light Colours
is one of the most effective ways to make a small dining room feel more open and spacious. Soft, neutral tones—such as whites, creams, light greys, and pale beiges—help reflect natural light, creating the illusion of a larger, airier space. Painting the walls in these shades can instantly lift the room and prevent it from feeling boxed in or overcrowded.
To avoid the space feeling too flat or clinical, layer in interest through thoughtfully chosen accessories. Textured cushions on built-in seating, patterned tablecloths, and colourful cloth napkins can all introduce depth and personality without overwhelming the room. These subtle pops of colour and fabric variation help bring warmth and charm, while still keeping the overall palette light and cohesive.
By keeping your walls neutral and introducing colour through soft furnishings and table details, you strike the perfect balance between visual interest and spatial clarity—ideal for making a small dining area feel both stylish and comfortably spacious.
Photo: Light & Dwell
I hope you found this post helpful and that it’s sparked some fresh ideas for your home. Redecorating and renovating can sometimes feel overwhelming, and it’s completely normal to feel a little stuck or unsure about where to start next. Whether you’re tackling a full room makeover or just adding a few finishing touches, having the right guidance can make all the difference.
That’s why I created The Design Fix — a weekly email delivered straight to your inbox, packed with practical, easy-to-follow tips and inspiring ideas to help you confidently transform your space. Each edition offers actionable advice, carefully curated decor recommendations, and design insights you can apply immediately—no jargon, no overwhelm, just real support for your decorating journey.
If you’re ready to feel more inspired, empowered, and excited about your home, I’d love for you to join the community.
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