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Dining Table Ideas: Where to Position a Dining Table & Space-Saving Solutions

dining table with two benches and a rattan chair, decorated with a plant and bowls of fruit

Hanging out around the kitchen table is one of the most pleasurable parts of the day. Positioning a dining table set is all about creating a space where people want to sit, chat, work, and generally enjoy the buzz of the kitchen. So we’ve come up with some kitchen diner ideas that offer more just than somewhere to cram in your morning toast – we’re going to show you how to create the social hub of your home.

Dining table ideas for every day & entertaining

Getting the positioning of your dining table right will help to make a room feel balanced and inviting, as well as making practical use of your available space. To ensure that your dining area works for you, there are a few questions you need to consider.

1. What size dining table?

Consider the practicalities when choosing your dining table size. How many people are in your household and how often do you entertain? If you only have guests for dinner once or twice a year and there are four of you in your family, investing in a vast oblong dining table is not the best use of your space.

You’ll also need to consider the size of your dining area. If you’ve got plenty of space to play with then a large table could be a fantastic centrepiece. If you have a small dining room, you want a compact dining table that can fit plenty of people around it while taking up as little floor space as possible. This makes round or extendable or drop leaf tables a brilliant choice for a smaller room.

2. How much space do you need around a dining table?

Space – most of us wish we had a bit more of it. If you’re lucky enough to have an enormous kitchen then picking the right spot for the dining set is more a question of taste than practicality. But even if your room won’t accommodate a banqueting table, there are a few tricks that will let you throw a dinner party without dining furniture taking over your life.

An extending table is the superhero of flexible dining. Because it can shrink, you can put it in a more prominent position in the room without it being overwhelming, and when a big Sunday lunch comes up, just drop in the extra leaves, and watch aunts and uncles marvel at the elbow room.

If your layout is open-plan, positioning the dining table between the cooking and lounge spaces creates a natural transition from the frenetic kitchen to the chilled-out sofas.

If your room’s small, and there’s no place for a table other than in the corner, make that corner the cosiest place to be. A cute bar table with some padded bar stools, or a small table and a corner bench stuffed with fluffy cushions, will have everyone fighting to sit there.

3. What shape of dining table?

The shape of your room and table will influence how best to position your dining area. The most efficient use of space is to mirror the shape of the room. A squarish area lends itself to round and square tables, while a long, rectangular space is perfect for oval shapes and refectory style dining.

In a well proportioned room, the lines of the table should ideally follow the lines of the walls and other furniture, but in uncomfortably long or boxy rooms, a circular table will help break up awkward spaces and soften the look.

If you’re wondering what shape dining table is best for a small space, a round dining table is an efficient choice. Round designs make for a great space-saving dining table as they make it easy to fit in extra people while still occupying a relatively compact footprint.

4. What style of cook are you?

Your cooking and eating style is an important factor in the kind of dining area you’ll want to create. If you’re the stove-to-table type, who likes to pop a one-pot-wonder down for everyone to help themselves, then it makes sense to position the table within easy reach of the cooker.

If you like to plate up on the counter and lay the table for every meal, then having the table closer to crockery cabinets or a dresser will make setting up easier and give the dining space a more sophisticated feel.

5. Over dining table lighting ideas

Natural and electric light are also important deciding factors in positioning your dining table set. Ideally a table should be centred in front of a light source such as a window, but if that’s not possible, a big mirror mounted in place of a window will reflect natural light and give a sense of space.

When it comes to electric lighting, again, centring the table under a light source such as a pendant lamp, or row of pendant lamps if you have a rectangular table, makes it feel like it belongs there.

6. Make sure you’re sitting comfortably

The type of dining chairs you pick for your table will have an impact as well. Benches are great along a wall, and their low profile makes the room look more spacious. You can also hop on and off a bench without moving anything, which gives bench seating a casual, easy-going feel. A couple of sheepskins thrown over will keep bottoms warm and comfortable.

Upholstered chairs need more room to breathe, but their comfort, and the fact you have to pull them out and tuck them in, encourages people to sit at the table for longer. If you’ve got plenty of space around the table, then a matching chairs set could be the way to go.

In tight spaces, swapping a couple of chairs for stools that can tuck away under the table, or a narrow bench that people can squeeze up on will give you extra wiggle room.

Top tip: Read our kitchen lighting ideas for more inspiration.

7. How to dress a dining table

This stage is all about the finishing touches: simple things you can do to elevate your space and make it work for you. If you’re sick of having your back turned to the rest of the room while you’re making dinner, a free standing kitchen trolley is a great way to do the veg prep and join in the conversation.

Having the lighting in the kitchen on dimmer switches and investing in some lamps is a must for creating a cosy evening atmosphere. An ornate trivet in the centre of the table makes stove-to-table meals seamless and looks great with a vase of flowers on too.

Taking the time to light a candle or two makes every dinner feel a little bit special. Finally, a pretty vase with rosemary, mint, parsley, and other herbs makes a fragrant table centrepiece that also comes in handy when you’re cooking.

Whether you use your dining area every day or just for entertaining, with these dining table ideas and our top tips on kitchen tables for small spaces, you can transform your dining space is a wonderful, welcoming area of the home. Shop our fantastic collection of dining room furniture to start your transformation or visit our Ideas & Advice hub for more home inspiration.



Homebase

Homebase

Writer and expert