1. ECHO A RECTANGLE
For a layout that creates an impact and makes the most of the space, pay attention to the shape of a dedicated dining room in your table choice. ‘Go for a long, narrow table in a rectangular room to mimic its shape,’ says interior designer Artem Kropovinsky. ‘It’s a layout that feels both grand and practical, especially in a space that doubles as a work area.’
2. GO ROUND
Some dining rooms benefit from an alternative to a rectangular or oval table. ‘Using a round dining table is a fabulous way to create an unexpected look in your dining room,’ says interior designer Joanna Frank, owner of Joanna Frank Design Shop in NYC.
3. EMBRACE THE OPEN CONCEPT
Consider the dining room that’s open to the living area or kitchen for a layout with plenty of upsides. ‘One of the most popular and versatile dining room layouts is the open-concept design,’ says experienced remodeler Ben Gold. ‘This layout entails merging the dining area with the adjacent living or kitchen area, providing several benefits.
4. WORK A SMALL SPACE
If dining space is limited, it’s important to choose a layout that makes dining comfortable without compromising the space to move around within the home. But there’s a neat solution.
5. CREATE SPACE IN AN APARTMENT
With limited square footage, make your dining room layout versatile with a table you can size up when needed. ‘Extendable tables work wonders in tight city apartments,’ says Artem Kropovinsky. ‘They’re small day-to-day but can grow for guests, making them ideal for flexible living.’
6. DEFINE THE AREA
When the dining room is part of another space rather than having its own separate room or clearly defined zone in an open-concept floor plan, it’s a good idea to distinguish it, and it’s not hard to do with a dining room rug.