How to Enjoy Dining in Small Spaces with Your Perfect Dining Table
In every home, dining is a unique, original and personal experience. For some, dinner is a chance to catch up on the day just gone, sharing news and asking opinions over a family-sized dining table. For others, dining is a quick activity at the table, needing to be completed before moving on to other tasks and responsibilities.
Here at Milola, we know the importance of creating the perfect dining environment and working with the space available to do so. Through our collection of customisable, stylish and varied dining furniture, we can help you design the perfect dining experience in even the smallest space in your home.
Dining Without a Dining Room
When it comes to modern day dining, we understand that each dining space will be different – with many homes having combined kitchen-diners or shared spaces for their dining tables to fit into. Small space dining is a reality for many homeowners, however at Milola, we believe that beautiful dining can happen in any space of any size, and we work hard to deliver that experience through our range of versatile dining tables and chairs.
Whether your dining room is on the smaller size or you’re creating a dining nook from scratch, we know that the perfect dining space requires flexibility, imagination and most importantly: planning.
Planning Your Perfect Dining Area
One of the first decisions to make when it comes to planning your perfect dining room is to confirm just how much space you have to work with. If you’re creating a dining area in a shared room, how much floor space are you willing to sacrifice to install a dining table big enough to comfortably accommodate everyone in your home? How many seats will you need, and will they have enough room to slide in and out for each use? Can you still use the other furniture pieces in the room with ease?
With a smaller dining space, we recommend choosing chairs that can tuck all the way underneath the table, allowing more room to walk around the table when they're not in use. Chairs such as the RAM Comfort, the GLAM, the STAY and the BRACE are all great options for those looking for storable seating, particularly when paired with a minimalist straight-leg table.
Finally, it’s important to select a table that fits seamlessly into the style and theme of the room, drawing from the different materials featured in your lounge or kitchen, and helping the dining table to feel like a complementary addition to the space. Identifying the existing wood variations, metal finishes and fabric colours that currently make up the room can help with choosing a table to meet the same style, feel and finish.
Round or Rectangular?
When helping our customers to choose their perfect dining table, the most common question that crops up is ‘should I buy a round or a rectangular dining table for my home?’. With so many different options and styles available in both categories, it can be hard for buyers to know which design will both suit their space visually and meet their size requirements as well.
Whilst both can work in smaller spaces, from a design perspective, we recommend taking a look at the pros and cons of both styles to help you make your choice:
Pros & Cons of Round Tables
- Round tables typically have a smaller surface area than rectangular dining tables and so are considered good for smaller spaces and more intimate dining. Our THOR Dining Table, for example, has a lightweight feel a slimmer legs, allowing for easy seating and cosy conversation without taking up too much space in the room.
- They also create a more natural open feel and offer good flow of conversation and socialisation around the table.
- Round tables can promote social interaction and informal dining experiences, with everyone being equal at the table and no one stuck on the end or cramped too close together.
- Finally, round dining tables offer smooth, rounded edges making them safer for small children and pets.
- Round dining tables are typically wider than rectangular dining tables (which are generally 90cm or 100cm wide) so won’t suit narrow, long spaces or galley-style kitchens.
- They also offer a smaller surface area per person and can leave limited space for dishes and plates compared to rectangular tables.
Pros & Cons of Rectangular Tables
- Rectangular tables can often fit into long, narrow or rectangular spaces, making them a more versatile shape to use in your home. The AMELIA Dining Table for example, is often a popular choice for those looking for a stylish table that can fit neatly into their kitchen or narrow dining area.
- They offer a more formal dining experience with guests sitting at the heads of tables and the symmetry of seats.
- Their surface area is generally larger than round tables, allowing more space per person, with room for centerpieces, dishes, serving plates and additional decor pieces.
- Rectangular tables can feel less intimate and a little overwhelming spatially, especially when not filled with people, decor or food items.
- People & diners on the ends of the tables can feel isolated and disconnected with the dinner conversation
- Sharp corners and edges can be a hazard for young children or pets running around the house.
What about Square tables?
Additionally, the options for creating unique and bespoke dining spaces are increased when using a rectangular table. For example, several Caso Dining Tables are perfectly designed to sit flush against a wall, with room for two or more guests to comfortably sit around it. The concept of leaf tables with folding or hidden sections also helps to create additional space when your dining table is not in use or only needs to be used for small dining occasions.
Similarly, rectangular benches also offer a great space-saving alternative to traditional dining chairs, as not only can they sit perfecctly against the wall but many can be easily tucked underneath the table itself.
Customisation is Key
Finally, if you’re in the process of selecting your dream dining table, remember that customisation and personalisation are key to creating the perfect small dining space.
Many of the dining tables we offer at Milola are available with extendable features, offering smaller and more intimate dining experiences as well as larger, extended options for special occasions. From the OPTIC Round Table to the ANT Rectangular Table, your choices are endless, and with our selection of finishes, fabrics, materials and sizes, your table can be customised perfectly to suit your specific style.
Whether you plan to create space through light and bright natural woods or keep your home minimalist and moody with industrial metals, your dining table can play a big role in both the look and feel of your home. Don’t be afraid to explore customisation options and request some samples before making your final purchase, to make sure that your dream dining table meets each and every one of your needs.
How can we help?
Your dining table should be a place of entertainment, enjoyment, good food and good company – no matter its size – and through our stunning selection of Scandi-inspired and Danish dining tables at Milola, we can help you create the perfect space.
Find out more or speak to our team today for more information.
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