5 Small Dining Room Layouts That Make The Most Of Your Space

Small space-saving dining room layouts

Designing a small dining room doesnโ€™t mean you have to sacrifice style or comfort. With the right floor plan furniture arrangement, you can create a functional and inviting space that still feels open. Whether you’re working with a cozy room nook or a compact dining area, these 5 small dining room layouts can help you improve traffic flow, enhance functionality, and create a beautiful aesthetic you’ll love.

7×7 Charming Corner Cafรฉ Dining Area Layout

This design creates a cozy cafe style dining nook that fits snugly into the corner, and helps make the most of its small floor plan.

7x7 charming corner cafe dining area layout

Floor Plan Details: The entire usable dining room space for this design measures 7โ€ฏft by 7โ€ฏft, making it compact yet workable for a cozy cafรฉโ€‘style corner. In the topโ€‘left corner, an Lโ€‘shaped built-in bench wraps around two walls allowing a stylish backdrop that’s great for families or casual eating. The seat depth of the bench is 18โ€ฏin., and offers comfortable support without taking up too much floor space. The bench surrounds a 36โ€ฏin. diameter round table that’s centered in the open floor area. A round table helps maintain comfortable traffic flow in tight corners, and is easy to move around and not bump into edges.

The seating arrangement in addition to the bench includes two chairs (or possibly small armchairs) which are placed around the table. Each chair occupies roughly 2โ€ฏft 1โ€ฏin. (25โ€ฏin.) of depth, from back to front, allowing enough room for pulling out and sitting down comfortably. Thereโ€™s approximately 2โ€ฏft of clearance between the table and the walls or bench in most directions. This space gives enough room to maneuver around the table without feeling too cramped. The builtโ€‘in bench also saves floor space by minimizing the need for chair clearance on that side. The setup could work well if part of a larger open-concept design like part of a living space.

Important Dimensions:

  • Room Size: 7′ x 7′
  • Square Footage: 49 sq ft
  • Table: 36โ€ฏin. diameter round table
  • Table Spacing: 2 ft from wall to tabletop
  • Bench: 18 in. deep on two walls
  • Chairs: 2 measuring 25 in. each

Design Tips:

  • Use a an Lโ€‘shaped built-in bench to save space.
  • Add storage under the benches seat for linens, towels or other essentials.
  • Use a 36โ€ฏin. round table for comfortably seating 2โ€“4 people in the small nook.
  • Choose a table with rounded edges to make it easier to navigate around instead of one with sharp corners.
  • Aim for at least 2โ€ฏft of space between the table and walls or elements like benches or cabinetry.
  • Since the room is smaller, go for lighter flooring (like the marble or porcelain tile shown) which can make a small area feel more open.
  • Consider adding a mirror or reflective backsplash along one wall to help reflect light.
  • Use chairs with a smaller seat depth of around 18โ€“20โ€ฏin. to preserve walking space.
  • Use upholstered seat cushions on the bench and seats to bring comfort.
  • Consider accent pillows for bench that can tie the cafรฉ corner together with your design theme.
  • Install a small pendant light or sconces above the table can offer cozy, focused lighting that’s perfect for reading or sipping coffee.

8×8 Cozy Square Dining Space Design

By centering a square table, with appropriately scaled chairs, this 8โ€ฒโ€ฏร—โ€ฏ8โ€ฒ dining room layout strikes a balance between functionality and comfort.

8x8 cozy square dining design

Floor Plan Details: This design uses a 36โ€ณโ€ฏร—โ€ฏ36โ€ณ square table, with four chairs, to create a cozy and functional dining spot in a small square room. The space measures 8โ€ฏft by 8โ€ฏft, giving you a total of 64โ€ฏsqโ€ฏft to fit a table for four and some storage. To get the look the square table sits at the center. Its compact size allows four diners to comfortably gather without crowding knees or elbows. One chair is placed on each side of the square tabletop, creating a balanced, and symmetrical layout. Each chair occupies roughly 20 to 24โ€ฏin. of depth, leaving enough room to get in and out, and walk around. There is approximately 2.5โ€ฏft of open space around the tabletop to the walls, which helps maintain easy traffic flow and comfortable seating. Against the upper wall there is a set of floating shelves measuring 48โ€ฏin. wide, by 8โ€ฏin. deep for decor or display items.

Important Dimensions:

  • Room Size: 8′ x 8′
  • Total Square Feet: 64โ€ฏsqโ€ฏft
  • Square Table: 36″ x 36″
  • Floating Shelves: 48″L x 8″D
  • Clearance: 2.5 ft around the tabletop

Design Tips:

  • Center the dinette for balance in a square room for equal space for each diner.
  • Use compact slimmer profile seating, or armless chairs to save extra inches if desired.
  • Hang floating shelves on the back wall for displaying decor pieces.
  • Go for a minimum of 2.5 ft of clearance around the furniture.
  • Use and overhead pendant light above the tabletop to go with the other lighting fixtures.
  • Add mirrors or reflective dรฉcor on the walls to amplify the room’s openness.

8×10 Compact Rectangular Dining Area Comfort Floor Plan

By choosing a rectangular table with slim profile chairs that balances clearances around each side, you can achieve a compact, yet comfortable dining room withing its 8×10 ft floor plan.

8x10 compact rectangular dining area comfort layout

Floor Plan Details: This 8โ€ฒโ€ฏร—โ€ฏ10โ€ฒ dining room layout uses a 47โ€ณโ€ฏร—โ€ฏ33โ€ณ rectangular table, combined with four chairs to make the most of a compact rectangular space. At the center of the design is the rectangular table with a size that seats four comfortably while still allowing traffic to flow around the furniture. The four dining chairs are arranged with one on each side of the table offering depth to sit and slide back comfortably. Along the right wall sits a 48โ€ณ wide,โ€ฏร—โ€ฏ12โ€ณ deep console or sideboard that’s perfect for storing extra dishware, linens, or serving pieces. Keeping the console shallow at 12โ€ณ helps preserve valuable floor space.

Important Dimensions:

  • Room Size: 8′ x 10′
  • Square Footage: 80โ€ฏsqโ€ฏft
  • Rectangular Table: 47โ€ณโ€ฏร—โ€ฏ33โ€ณ
  • Console: 48″ x 12″
  • Clearances: 31″ around tabletop

Design Tips:

  • Opt for a rectangular tabletop to match the room’s shape allowing for more seating capacity in the longer, narrower layout.
  • Round tables can work but can leave unused space at the ends in this type of room shape.
  • Keep at least 30โ€ฏin. to 36โ€ฏin. of clearance between the table’s edge and walls or other furniture so guests can pull out chairs and move around.
  • Use a slim console or sideboard measuring 12โ€ฏin. deep to avoid encroaching on the dining area.
  • Consider floating shelves above the console to create vertical storage or display space.

9×9 Relaxed Banquette Dining Setting Floor Plan

By using a builtโ€‘in bench that’s positioned next to a round table this 9โ€ฒโ€ฏร—โ€ฏ9โ€ฒ banquette layout creates a relaxed, sociable dining area that’s great for families and casual dining.

9x9 relaxed banquette dining setting floor plan

Floor Plan Details: This 9โ€ฒโ€ฏร—โ€ฏ9โ€ฒ dining room concept uses a builtโ€‘in banquette bench combined with a 42โ€ณ diameter round table placed in the floor plan’s center for a relaxed, and comfortable area. The builtโ€‘in bench measures 2โ€ฏft deep, by 6โ€ฏft wide, and is installed along the top wall. This banquette provides additional seating and can include optional underโ€‘seat storage for pillows or other linens. At the center of the room sits the round tabletop to anchor the space. This size accommodates 4 people rather comfortably using 2 on side chairs and the others on the bench seating.

Important Dimensions:

  • Room Size: 9′ x 9′
  • Square Footage: 81โ€ฏsqโ€ฏft 
  • Built-in Bench: 2′ x 6′
  • Round Table: 42″
  • Clearances: 2.91′ minimum around table

Design Tips:

  • Maximize the banquette’s efficiencyby using a builtโ€‘in bench along one wall to save floor space (no extra chair clearance behind it).
  • Consider underโ€‘seat storage for linens, pillows, serving ware, or general household items.
  • Choose a round or oval shaped table for smooth flow and to help soften the square room.
  • Maintain good clearances with 2.5 to 3โ€ฏft of space around where possible.
  • Use light, and reflective surfaces and paint colors to help the space feel larger.
  • Bring in armless side chairs on the opposite side of the banquette to save room.
  • For more seating flexibility, consider stacking chairs or ones that can easily slide under the tabletop.
  • Use upholstered seat cushions on the banquette to provide a cozy feel.
  • Match fabrics on the chairs and bench for a cohesive look.

10×10 Stylish Open Dining Room Layout

By anchoring the space with a round table and chairs that allow room to maneuver, with a large window and buffet storage, this 10โ€ฒโ€ฏร—โ€ฏ10โ€ฒ open dining layout provides space for daily meals or special gatherings.

10x10 stylish open dining room layout

Floor Plan Details: This 10โ€ฒโ€ฏร—โ€ฏ10โ€ฒ dining room combines a 48โ€ณdiameter round table, with four chairs, and a 48โ€ณโ€ฏxโ€ฏ16โ€ณ buffet storage unit to make the most out of the square floor plan in a stylish, open manner. The round table sits at the center of the room and its shape promotes conversation and allows for comfortable movement around the square layout. The four chairs are arranged evenly around the tabletop with 28 to 34โ€ฏin. of clearance between the walls or other furniture. On the lower wall is a 48โ€ณ wide, by โ€ฏ16โ€ณ deep buffet for storing dishware, linens, or dรฉcor, and its relatively slim profile helps preserve walking flow.

Important Dimensions:

  • Room Size: 10′ x 10′
  • Square Footage: 100 sq ft
  • Round Table: 48โ€ณ diameter
  • Buffet Storage: 48โ€ณ wide x 16โ€ณ deep
  • Clearances: 28″ to 34″ around the tabletop

Design Tips:

  • Center the round table for balance in a square room to create visual symmetry and a comfortable flow.
  • Go for at least 28 in. of clearance minimum around each side to ensure guests can pull chairs out and walk behind one another without feeling cramped.
  • Use a 16โ€ณ deep slim buffet or sideboard for storage without protruding too far into the dining area.
  • Consider matching furniture finish to the dinette set for a cohesive look.
  • Hang a chandelier or pendant light above the table for both functional lighting and a stylish focal point.
  • For layered lighting use wall sconces, floor lamp or small light on the buffet to create layered illumination.
  • Add an area rug below the table that’s large enough to accommodate pulledโ€‘out chairs for a stylish look.

Check out this gallery for more 10×10 dining room designs you can use for ideas and inspiration for your remodel project.

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