skip to main content

Smaller Homes Dining Room

Need help figuring out a dining table for my Small Dining Room

9 years ago

I could really use some help deciding on a dining room table.

I'm thinking a 4 seat table with a leaf option to have 6+ would be ideal as it's just my husband and I, right now. As seen in the photo, we have a bar height table but we want a regular height table. One side of the dining room is open to the living room area. We also have a wet bar on one side that we love. :)

Helpful notes:

The dining room measurements are 10'7" X 8'9"
Our favorite style is mid century modern.
We also like some transitional and contemporary aspects thrown in.
When family comes over, we typically need to seat anywhere from 4-6

(You should see what we have to do for Thanksgiving dinners... last year there were 14 people)

I'm open to any and all suggestions. Round/oval/rectangular.... color....size...glass/no glass... etc.

My Current Dining Room · More Info

My Current Dining Room · More Info

My Current Dining Room · More Info

My Current Dining Room · More Info

My Current Dining Room · More Info

Featured Answer

cearbhaill (zone 6b Eastern Kentucky)

9 years ago

Drop leaf tables are perfect for this use. I have a mid-century modern drop leaf (with a regular leaf, too) that is tiny (maybe 32") when both ends are dropped but eight feet long with the removable leaf in and both ends raised. It is so versatile- one end up, two ends up, leaf in w/both ends down, etc.- it belonged to my Grandmother and I have no idea of the manufacturer, but drop leaf tables are plentiful in used furniture stores and private resales.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (9)

Kimberly
Original Author
9 years ago
Cearbhaill, interesting idea. I didn't even think of a drop leaf style table.. I'll definitely need to look that up.
0
Related Discussions
Help me figure out my dining area!
Q
Comments (3)
Have you considered a round table? Glass top would be lovely but I am a lover of glass topped tables. You could even use the chairs you have and cover the seats with a lively color/pattern. Chandi should be moved over to center of table and lowered. Bamboo rollup shades on the windows. About the sink splash...could you build a small ledge behind the faucets (dining room side) probably about three inches tall by the width of your sink. Granite the color of your counter would be nice but I would try making it oak like your cupboards first to see if it works (keeping the splash contained). Glue it down until you see if it is something that will work. If you put bar stools there, it will cut down on your dining space. Very nice kitchen.
...See More
Need nelp trying to figure out era of Interesting Dining Set
Q
Comments (1)
Hollywood Regency came to my mind as well - looks modern(60s-70s), but in a rococco style.
...See More
Way too much wood! Help me figure out what to do with my dining table
Q
Comments (36)
These ideas are so great! I was getting a little frustrated trying to figure out the problem with the room, but you guys have made it exciting again! Thank you thank you all again! I think I have the rug for under the sofa nailed down to two options. I added a “customer photo” after each rug to show what it looks like in an actual living room. Any thoughts?
...See More
Small dining room table size + rug size help
Q
Comments (3)
Here is a picture of the space. I didn't want to share because of all of the personal photos but I figured out how to blur them. There seems to be a lot of visual space to work with but not much physical space.
...See More
Related Professionals
Corpus Christi Architects & Building Designers · Keansburg Architects & Building Designers · Martinsville Architects & Building Designers · Kearns Home Builders · Knik-Fairview Home Builders · Belle Glade Interior Designers & Decorators · Lake Elsinore Interior Designers & Decorators · Stanford Interior Designers & Decorators · Wadsworth Cabinets & Cabinetry · Wyckoff Cabinets & Cabinetry · Bel Air North Interior Designers & Decorators · Fountain Hills Interior Designers & Decorators · Rancho Cordova Kitchen & Bathroom Remodelers · Rancho Cordova Tile and Stone Contractors · Rancho Mirage Tile and Stone Contractors
Paula
9 years ago
I have about that size dining room with walkways on all sides. In my previous house, I had a 48" square dining table that I used when we moved in. I bought a 48" round table, it was amazing the difference it made. There are only 3 of us so I just keep 3 chairs around the table on a daily basis.

You could do a drop leaf. I am not sure it you could find one in a style that would go with your house. I have 2 drop leafs that I use around the house and bring out when I need more tables for company but they are both Duncan Phyfe antiques. Another option would be a round with a leaf or two that expands for family. You'll be amazed how a round fits the space better. Something about cutting off those sharp corners make it easier to maneuver through the rooms.
writersblock (9b/10a)
9 years ago
I am not sure it you could find one in a style that would go with your house.

You shouldn't have a problem, although MCM might be expensive now that it's trendy. But they sure made a lot of drop leaf tables in modern style during that period. My mom had one.
User
9 years ago
Banquette under the window? That's pretty dead space now, and with a banquette and bookcases you'd have the extra seating.

A peninsula table coming out from the wall to the right in the first picture?

Don 't worry about seating more than 6 to 8 in that room. If you have more, it's time to break out the folding tables.

Self-storing leaves!
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/70116262/
Kimberly thanked User
Annegriet
9 years ago
West Elm had some lovely smaller tables. Good luck!
Kimberly thanked Annegriet
Lavender Lass
9 years ago
You're fortunate that there's no wall on one side....so expanding the table should not be a problem.

I prefer round tables (or oval) but mid-century might be more rectangular? Not really my decade for style....but I would definitely get rounded corners on any table! Especially in a smaller space :)
Kimberly thanked Lavender Lass
Kimberly
Original Author
9 years ago
Thank you all for your help, I now have a new dining table! I will post a photo later.

My husband found an amazing deal yesterday for a 1968 formica dining table with a leaf insert made by Walter Wabash. It looks like it was kept in storage for decades, it's immaculate. It's 48" with the leaf extending it to 60". It has rounded corners.

Unfortunately, it did not come with chairs so that is going to be my next hunt! Ikea has some cheap chairs that would fit our style but I don't plan on taking a trip there anytime soon....I'm waiting for the one here in Las Vegas to open (Summer 2016).

My husband is checking online for different chairs, but I will gladly accept any ideas.
0
Lavender Lass
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Your table sounds great! Have you checked Craigslist? They have exactly those chairs in our area (eastern Washington) or even Ebay?

This is not MCM, but a 42" round table that if it had a leaf....would go
to about 60" long. Thought I'd show off our new floor! LOL
Vinyl tiles, easy to install and keep clean :)
0

Related Stories

SMALL HOMES Room of the Day: Living-Dining Room Redo Helps a Client Begin to Heal

By Becky Harris

After a tragic loss, a woman sets out on the road to recovery by improving her condo

SMALL SPACES Downsizing Help: Think ‘Double Duty’ for Small Spaces

By Becky Dietrich, Interior Designer

Put your rooms and furnishings to work in multiple ways to get the most out of your downsized spaces

PRODUCT PICKS Guest Picks: Graphic Geometrics Figure Into Decor

By Cristin Priest {Simplified Bee}

Show good form by factoring the shapely patterns trending in 2013 into your interior decorating

DINING ROOMS 10 Small Dining Rooms With Style to Spare

By Laura Gaskill

Check out the handiwork of these 10 couples, for whom creativity always has a place at the table

KITCHEN DESIGN Kitchen of the Week: Small, Creatively Used Kitchen

By Vanessa Brunner

A food blogger whips up recipes out of a tiny Oklahoma kitchen — and sometimes spills over to the dining room table

ENTERTAINING A Place for Everything: Beautiful Ways to Style Your Table

Polish your silver and pull out your china as we look at how tables were laid out traditionally and how they shine now

DINING ROOMS Discover Your Dining Table Style

By Natalie Myers

To pick the right dining table, you need to match it to your personality as well as the look of your dining room. These identifiers can help

FARMHOUSES Houzz Tour: A Farmhouse Branches Out

By Mitchell Parker

New windows and a dining room addition help a Northern California home thrive right along with its bounteous garden

Storage Help for Small Bedrooms: Beautiful Built-ins

By Becky Harris

Squeezed for space? Consider built-in cabinets, shelves and niches that hold all you need and look great too

LIVING ROOMS How to Decorate a Small Living Room

By Laura Gaskill

Arrange your compact living room to get the comfort, seating and style you need

Sponsored

More Discussions

Need help for small bedroom!

12

Advise on SMALL In-Law Suite Floor Plan

12

Anyone here really commit to a small house as "forever home"?

3