Ask Joshua: How to Create a Dining Area in a Small Apartment

Hi Joshua,

I live in a small apartment without a dining room, and I’m struggling to create a comfortable place to eat. My apartment has only a small living room and bedroom, so I don’t have enough space for a traditional dining table and chairs.

I’ve been using TV trays, but I don’t like how they look or feel. I also enjoy having friends over, so I’d love to create a small dining area that can accommodate guests without taking up too much of my limited living space.

Do you have any space-saving dining ideas for a tiny apartment?

Thanks,

Dave - Chicago, Illinois

Industrial-chic small apartment living room styled by virtual interior designer Joshua Jones of JJones Design Co. This image is an AI-generated rendering.

Hi Dave,

Creating a dining area in a small apartment can certainly be challenging, especially when you don’t have a separate dining room. The solution is to choose furniture that serves more than one purpose and doesn’t occupy valuable floor space when you aren’t using it.

Use a Coffee Table as a Casual Dining Table

One option is to arrange a small coffee table with a pair of comfortable accent chairs, similar to the living room shown above. Instead of choosing a traditional low coffee table, look for one that is slightly taller and has enough surface area for meals.

This arrangement can function like the lounge seating found in a restaurant or bar, where guests gather around a low table for drinks and casual meals. It won’t provide the same experience as sitting at a traditional dining table, but it will feel much more intentional and comfortable than using TV trays.

The chairs can remain part of your everyday living room arrangement and be pulled closer to the coffee table whenever you have friends over.

Consider a Lift-Top Coffee Table

If you already have a sofa and don’t have room for additional chairs, a lift-top coffee table may be the best space-saving solution. The tabletop lifts and moves toward the sofa, creating a more comfortable height for eating or working on a laptop.

Many lift-top coffee tables also include hidden storage underneath. This can be especially useful in a small apartment where every piece of furniture needs to work harder. You can use the storage compartment for placemats, napkins, serving pieces, or other items you don’t want to leave on display.

Unlike individual TV trays, a lift-top coffee table remains part of the living room and doesn’t require a separate place for storage.

Look for an Adjustable-Height Table

An adjustable-height coffee table offers even more flexibility. It can remain at coffee-table height for everyday use and then be raised to dining height when you’re ready to eat.

Some adjustable tables can also expand to accommodate additional guests. This gives you a proper dining surface without requiring you to dedicate part of your apartment to a full-size dining table.

Try a Drop-Leaf or Expandable Dining Table

If you have a small section of open wall, consider a narrow drop-leaf table. You can keep the leaves folded down when the table isn’t in use and expand it when you’re eating or entertaining.

A wall-mounted folding table is another option for an especially tight apartment. It folds flat against the wall and can serve as a dining table, desk, or additional preparation surface when needed.

A console table that expands into a dining table can provide similar flexibility. During the day, it can sit against the wall and hold a lamp, books, or decorative objects. When friends visit, you can move it into the room and expand it for dining.

Choose Flexible Seating

The chairs are just as important as the table. Folding or stackable dining chairs can be stored in a closet, underneath the bed, or against a wall when you don’t need them. A small bench can also provide extra seating while doubling as a coffee table, side table, or place to set books.

If you decide to use a conventional dining table, consider a small round pedestal table. The absence of corner legs makes it easier to fit additional chairs around the table, and its curved shape can improve movement through a tight living room.

The best solution depends on your apartment’s layout and how frequently you entertain. Since you want something that feels more substantial than TV trays without permanently sacrificing floor space, I would begin by looking at a lift-top coffee table or a compact drop-leaf table. Either option can give you a comfortable dining area while allowing your living room to remain flexible for everyday use.

Good luck!

Joshua

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