6 Tips for Furnishing a Small Dining Room

Tiny, petite, mini, bite-size . . . However you want to describe your small dining room, it’s likely that you’re having trouble making the furniture and decor look “just right.” Maybe the space looks crammed and overflowing — or maybe you went the other direction, and you’ve simply got a sparse “nook” that you don’t know what to do with.

Never fear! We’ve got your back. By employing the following six tips and tricks, you’ll have your dining space looking stylish. Before you know it, this small space will surpass expectations, becoming the perfect spot to enjoy meals, socialize, and gather with friends and family, just as it was meant to be. 

1. Combine Storage and Decor 

When your dining space is limited, you may not have the luxury of being able to add both storage items and decorative pieces to the room. However, that doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice one for the other! Instead, try pairing the two together to get the best of both worlds. For example, you might look for a small cabinet with glass doors to display your dishes ; this is a great way to increase your dining room storage, while still allowing you to put your best items on display. If your space is still too limited, try a cabinet that’s specifically designed to go in a corner. Still too much? Many midcentury modern or “mod” dining tables have drawers that can hold utensils and extra needs, such as napkins or a wine tool. 

2. Look for Multifunctional Furniture 

If you live in a small apartment or home, you may be using your dining area for multiple purposes. This is why taking the time to find the right furniture is key. Multifunctional pieces, such as built-in seating storage, can help keep the space free of clutter. Similarly, many dining tables can be converted to more of a “desk” vibe for after-school homework or at-home projects. Don’t be afraid to get creative! This is your space, and it should serve your needs — as varied as they might be. 

3. Raise the Roof! 

Many small dining rooms have low ceilings, which can make the space feel closed in. Sometimes even a hanging light or ceiling fixture can add to the cramped effect, causing you to feel like you’re in an interrogation room. No one wants that! If this is the case with your dining area, lighting can make all the difference in creating a space that looks bigger.

For example, consider installing some wall lights that shine upward to create the illusion that the ceiling is higher. Likewise, recessed downlights can often be the perfect light fixtures for any low ceiling. The recessed design takes up no space within the room and creates a modern, sleek appearance.

If you must have ceiling lights, look for flush ceiling lights. Flush mountings are easy to install and they fit closely to your ceiling, optimizing the space in your room while also making a stylish statement. 

4. See the Light in Other Ways 

Lighter- or neutral-colored dining room furniture also tends to help brighten the room and make it feel larger than it is. For this reason, when you’re dealing with a tight space, consider white chairs or maybe a table of blonde wood.

Likewise, look for furniture and decor that give off a lighter energy in the room. Anything that feels dark and heavy is going to create a sense of heaviness in the space itself. 

5. Play with Color Schemes 

While light and neutral tones tend to make a space feel airier and larger, that doesn’t mean you can’t still integrate some colorful pieces. The trick is to keep these pieces low within the visual sightlines, so that the overall space will seem more vast. If you prefer a colorful approach, stick to a bright and inviting color palette and opt for minimalist furniture so the space doesn’t feel too busy. For example, a small red café table with some yellow metal café chairs could really breathe some life into a small dining nook — especially if you add a white vase to the table with some fresh flowers.

6. Get A Round Table 

One of the most important tips for small dining rooms may not be the most obvious: The smaller the space is, the more likely that you should look for a round or oval table. Square or rectangular tables have corners, and those corners can lead to a lot of leg bruises in a cramped space! Perhaps more importantly, a rounded table creates the illusion of more space.

How Can Acima Help? 

Space is a state of mind! Maintain this attitude, and you’ll soon realize that you can still transform a small space into an airy nook that you love to spend time in.

With Acima Leasing’s lease-to-own solutions*, you can make shopping for your dining room a pleasant experience. And you can shop for tons of great furniture using our retailer locator — all without using credit*!