Some dining rooms are very small.
Whether you live in a house, condo or rent an apartment, dining rooms can be tiny, leaving you with only a limited area to fit in a dining table let alone a sideboard or cabinet. While there is a lack of space to spread out, there are solutions to fit what you need in the dining room and still be stylish and functional as well as tricks to create the illusion of a larger, more spacious dining area.
Furniture
Pare down anything excess in the dining room, allowing for only the table and chairs. Use furniture that's on the same scale for the room to help it look roomier. Stick to a smaller square or circular table to ensure guests have enough room to walk around. Choose styles that are sleek and avoid tables and chairs that look too bulky, since those styles will cause the room to look smaller. For an airy-looking space, choose furniture in Lucite or white. Lucite works well in small spaces because the see-through appearance keeps the eye moving around the room for the illusion of a larger space.
Wall Covering
Paint the walls a light color to make the room look more spacious. A pale version of your favorite color can add personality to a room without overpowering it. Lighter shades of paint help dining rooms without windows look brighter, and when you do have windows, the natural light floods through the room -- helping it appear inviting and open. A vertical wallpaper helps walls appear taller, which will increase the visual space of the room.
D cor
Add a large mirror to a wall opposite a window to double the light and offer the illusion of a larger area. Keep d cor minimal to avoid overpowering a small room. Use one large piece of art for an empty wall or use two or three smaller picture to create a collage. Hanging curtains slightly above the window will offer the illusion of taller walls, since they will draw the eye upward.
Storage
Install floating shelves on the walls to provide space for extra dishes, heirloom pieces or d cor (sculptures, candles) that you would otherwise add to a credenza or china cabinet. Stagger the shelves to keep the room's wall decor interesting while still retaining function.
Tags: dining rooms, illusion larger, dining room, more spacious, offer illusion, room large, room look
