If you have a small dining room in your home like we do, you may have found it is a little challenging to create a space that’s nice to eat in while feeling clean, uncluttered, and thoughtfully curated. So I’ve come up with my 5 top tips that anyone can use to help make the most of your space without overwhelming it.
#1. Get rid of stuff. You don’t need a bunch of knick-knacks or old mail on your dining table. My first tip when beginning the process of decorating and enhancing your dining room is to reduce the number of pieces in the room and minimize clutter in any way you can. Now don’t get me wrong, you can still keep your smaller pieces, just reduce the quantity.
It’s important to mix different object sizes and heights. Pairing a small candle with a larger vase for example allows you to keep the smaller items you have without overwhelming the space with too many. Don’t forget, you can always bring out new items to feature on your table and give the space a fresh feel every now and then. 
#2. Let the light in. When designing a small space, it’s important to choose the colour and style of your furniture carefully. Keep the furniture light and airy, such as light oak wood or matte whites. Include simple, minimalistic product design when choosing your table and chairs and it will make your room feel larger and more open. Think about it, having a dark, heavy mahogany table in a small space will instantly weigh the room down whereas a dining table like the one shown below is light and bright, instantly making the space more inviting. You may also opt for putting a mirror in this space as well – the reflection gives the illusion that the room is much bigger. Nevertheless, remember to place the mirror where the reflection is appealing so that it will enhance the features in the room, rather than detract.
Credit: theeverygirl.com
#3. Transitional furniture. When decorating a small space, it’s time to get creative! One way to make the most of your space is to purchase a table that extends with a hidden leaf. This is a great option for those who love to entertain and have guests over but don’t want to have a larger table for their everyday life. Purchasing folding or stackable chairs is another way you can maximize your space and you can hide the chairs conveniently when you don’t need them! Remember, it’s all about making the most use of your small space as possible. And last but not least, opting for stools as overflow seating at the dining table instead of chairs can help keep your floorspace open and airy! Check out these gorgeous stools and how well they blend in this dining room. They are definitely a great option when looking to decorate a smaller space.
Credit: YellowBrickHome.com
#4. Elevate the space. When working with limited square feet, we want to draw the eyes up as much as possible so that the room looks bigger than it actually is. One way to do this is by including tall drapes and installing them up to the ceiling. Choose a soft, airy fabric so that they don’t look heavy and weigh down the space, and opt for a lighter colour as well so that they let the light flow in and bounce around the room. Check out these before and after images of our dining room, with and without the drapes. You’ll notice that even though the drapes take up more space, they trick the eye into thinking there’s more to the room and draw the eye up. 
#5. Thoughtful light fixtures. In addition to allowing lots of natural light in, you want to ensure that you also have evenly-lit and dimmable artificial light. Remember that the goal in designing your dining room is not to overwhelm the space, so stay away from adding a fixture that is disproportionately large or visually heavy. The key to choosing the right light fixture is finding one that makes a strong statement yet doesn’t weigh down the room. This light fixture below is beautiful and perfect for small dining rooms! Using glass is a great way to keep the space looking airy and open.
Credit: mtnsidehome.com
Do you have a small dining room that could use a revamp? Comment below if you take away any of these tips in your own home, and if you need some help from a pro, head over to my contact page and we’ll be happy to help with your design project.