Dining room tips: ideas for a small dining room

Of all the dining room tips available, the following small dining room ideas are probably the most helpful to most people. Few people have separate large dining rooms, such premises comprise part of the kitchen or living room, or are small rooms with limited floor space.

1. Wear light colors

Light colors tend to open up a room, while dark tones tend to make it look smaller. However, light doesn’t have to mean drab, and whites and pastels can be accented with a bright contrasting color. This is particularly effective when color is used to draw attention to specific decorative elements.

However, do not abuse the color. You can have a colorful wall with others in white or a neutral tone, or use brightly colored dining chairs with light wallcoverings or even white painted walls. Wear what works for you, although white and pale pastel shades with moderate use of bright colors are very popular.

2.Use lighting for maximum effect

The more natural light the better, so keep your windows as large as possible. A single large pane of glass appears more spacious than several smaller panes. Minimize window furnishings, such as curtains, and avoid blackout curtains. Bright colors can accentuate the light coming through a window, and many choose bright yellow or red curtains to contrast with white wood or vinyl frames.

Artificial light should be bright, but not too intense, and the ideal type of overhead lighting for a small dining room is a small chandelier; this will make a small table seem larger. If you have a dimmer switch, ceiling spotlights or ceiling space lighting would also be suitable. Lighting in any size dining room should be subtle but sufficient.

A low ceiling should not be accentuated, but rather at least partially obscured by a low level of upward lighting – the ceiling should be “up there somewhere” without guests feeling like they can reach out and touch it! Open the ceiling if it has been artificially lowered: a design feature from the ’60s to ’90s, but one that makes rooms appear smaller.

3. Use mirrors

Mirrors not only make good use of light, they also make a room appear larger, especially if they reflect off each other. Two or three slightly tilted mirrors reflecting a single light source can take a small chandelier, or even spotlights, so much more. Arranging mirrors to reflect shiny glassware or silver will also increase the apparent size of a room.

4. Table furniture

This term refers to centerpieces, vases, bowls, and even stemware. Your table should be designed to promote conversation, and that has three aspects, namely:

a) Tableware and accessories should not obstruct the view of guests, and flowers should be displayed in vases or low bowls;
b) Your glasses should be crystal, even if they are lead crystal, because shiny glasses always look good on a table and their reflections in a mirror can open up a small dining room from top to bottom.
c) You should include some fabrics in your décor to absorb sound waves, which are discussed below.

5. Acoustics of small dining rooms

One of the most helpful dining tips that you don’t often find is to deaden the acoustics in the room. A small room with plain walls and wood block floors will reflect sound waves so that conversation will seem to echo and echo, particularly as the night wears on and the wine begins to take effect!

While a highly polished or even rustic wooden table looks nice, it’s more practical to use a tablecloth. This not only protects the table from scratches and food drops, but also absorbs sound waves. Fabric wallcoverings also look good, while wallpaper is better than paint or paneling. Each of these helps dampen sound so you can hear what people are saying without the rumble and reflection of their voices.

6. Tips for the dining room: furniture

If you have a small dining room, your furniture should be chosen accordingly. By choosing a round dining table, it will appear that there is more space around the perimeter of the room. You can also seat more people at a round table for the space available, and if you have a pedestal base, you won’t have to worry about table legs getting in the way of guests’ legs!

Your dining chairs should be armless and thin rather than thick; they may occupy the same overall space, but the thin chairs give the impression of space between diners. Some lines of dining room furniture offer double chairs, just like dining room loveseats! These are great if you want to make the most of the space around a rectangular table.

There are plenty more dining room tips to offer, such as using extendable tables and selecting the right cabinets or buffets, but the above should help you make the most of your small dining room, or even your large dining room, because size is relative.