Whether your apartment is large or small, you’ll find plenty of options to fit your dining room. Choose a table that suits your space and reflects your style.
Custom tables are a helpful option for apartments because they allow you to define a dining area without sacrificing floor space. They also give your apartment a clean, uncluttered look.
Corner-Bench Seating
One of the best apartment dining room ideas is to use a bench alongside a table for additional seating while keeping your space aesthetically appealing and not cluttered with extra chairs. This savvy idea works well in a nook but can be used anywhere to designate a dining area in your living room or kitchen. Some benches even have built-in storage for mittens, socks, napkins, and other dining necessities. This style of bench seating also looks nice when upholstered with materials in the same shade as your wall color, so it can blend in and make the surrounding areas feel deceptively larger.
Consider choosing a dining bench with a flat, rounded seat and sleek legs for a simple, modern look. This type of bench is the perfect choice for minimalist apartments that don’t require a lot of storage space but still want a designated dining area. Choose a white or black upholstery bench to suit your decor style for added visual appeal.
A bookshelf that doubles as a dining wall is another advantageous and easy way to designate a dining space in your apartment. Place a dining table and stools or a bench against the backside of the bookshelf to create a dining nook. If you want to add an extra ambiance, hang some wall art or dining decorations on the wall above the table.
Floating or Folding Tables
If you’re not interested in rearranging the furniture or building a new table, you can always opt for a floating or folding table. These thin and elegant tables make them a good option for minimalist aesthetics. They’re also easy to clean and can hold a lot of weight. Some are even designed to fold into other pieces of furniture, such as a wall-mounted table that retracts out of the side of a Murphy bed.
Typically made of aluminum, these tables are light in structure yet durable and sturdy enough to hold substantial weight. They’re also weather resistant, so you can use them indoors or out without worrying about rain or dirt damaging the surface. They’re also available in a range of colors to complement your space.
These custom tables are great for apartment living because they offer an extra dining surface when needed and then fold away neatly into a storage shelf or against the wall. You can use them for meals, homework, or other daily tasks without wasting valuable floor space. They’re also easy to clean, with a non-porous surface that can be easily wiped down with water. They’re also easy to transport as they have a convenient carry handle.
Bookshelves as Dining Walls
For apartments with limited dining space, a bookshelf can expand a room’s dining area. A styled wood floating bookshelf is fixed in the wall of this contemporary living room alongside white l-shaped dining benches with leopard and pink pillows.
Though book-filled shelves call timeless, magical time capsules to mind, they can also fit modern aesthetics. Organize books by size and accessorize with streamlined vases and metallic decor accents to keep a shelf from looking cluttered.
Kitchen Islands
A kitchen island is one of the most coveted features in modern homes. It’s almost the modern equivalent of a home hearth, the perfect spot for family members to gather, cook, dine, or entertain.
Kitchen islands come in various styles, from simple portable units that offer just an extra countertop to enormous fixed structures that function as the new focal point of a kitchen. Depending on your budget and space limitations, you can incorporate helpful features into your custom island.
One way to make kneading pizza or pastry dough easier is by installing a drop-down station 6 inches lower than the rest of the island. You can add cabinets that house wine fridges, microwaves, or pull-out dishwashers to turn your island into a full-fledged cooking and dining space.
When designing your island, leaving enough room for movement is essential. Aim for at least 48 inches of clear pathways on all sides to easily pass in and out of the vital activity zones centered around the stove, sink, and refrigerator. In addition, consider using two different surfacing materials for the island’s countertop and seating surface to create a unique look. For example, you can pair Corian quartz countertops with Michigan maple butcher block for a stunning contrast that distinguishes the food prep area from the eating zone.
