Tiny Dining Room? No Worries. Maximize!

If you have a traditional house with small dedicated rooms rather than a contemporary open floorplan, or making do in an apartment or duplex, you may seem stuck with a dining room smaller than you would have liked. How on earth can you comfortably entertain dinner guests when you barely have enough square feet for yourself and your stuff? We at American Furniture Galleries are fond of telling Greater Sacramento customers: when there is a will, there is a way.

Embrace Your Room’s Corners

This may seem counterintuitive to amateur decorators but our designer friends swear by it. To expand your space-challenged dining room, make full use of its corners. For example, try placing upholstered dining benches along each wall of the corner, then putting a smallish round or square dining table between them. We think it lends itself to a cool café look. And if you need to accommodate extra holiday guests for your meal, no problem. Just throw in a couple of nicely appointed dining chairs. If you happen to prefer a square table, smaller dining benches or stools are in order. Now you can complete your dining room’s bistro theme or any artistic statement you like with some well-chosen accent pieces, perhaps recalling a favorite food or a regional cuisine you love, from coq au vin to pasta with pungent pecorino! Sure, France or Italy, but what about India or Thailand? The possibilities are limited only by your imagination. Budget is never an issue at American Furniture Galleries.

Consider Folding Options

Maybe your home is so cramped that normally you can’t shoehorn in a dining table. If countertop eating doesn’t suit you, here’s more free designer advice. You might recall from old movies, TV, or Grandma’s house the old fold-up Murphy beds and ironing boards. Why not be clever with your dining table that way, putting it flush against the wall when not deployed? Voilà! Table space with room for three chairs of your choice.

Booth for Six?

If your kitchen happens to have a small nook off it, here’s an innovative dining room furniture solution. Make a big diner-style booth out of it! All it takes is an especially narrow dining room table and two banquettes or benches plus a side chair on the end facing out.

No what size space is your interior-design canvas, our Rancho Cordova, CA store and other Greater Sacramento locations have the dining room furniture you need at prices you’ll love.

How to Choose the Right Dining Table Shape for Your Home

Choosing a dining room table can be tricky. With sometimes hundreds of products to choose from, how do you know which one is right for you? When comparing dining room tables, people often focus on the table style or materials, not realizing that the shape of the table is just as important. The shape of your dining table can have a significant impact on the comfort of your guests, as well as the overall atmosphere of your dining room. Once you learn about the characteristics and benefits of each table shape, you can better determine which one is the best fit for your home.

Rectangular Dining Room Tables

Rectangular tables are the most traditional choice when it comes to dining room furniture. Since most dining rooms are rectangular in shape, these tables will perfectly complement most spaces. These long, narrow dining tables are perfect for family gatherings and holiday entertaining, as they can comfortably seat a large group of diners without making them feel crowded. Worried that a rectangular dining table may take up too much space? Keep in mind that a rectangular dining table can be paired with virtually any type of seating, including not only high back chairs, but also space-saving counter stools and dining benches.

Round Dining Room Tables

Round dining tables are well suited for smaller dining spaces. Their fluid design allows them to fit in formal dining rooms as well as cozy kitchen nooks. Unlike rectangular dining tables, which can make it difficult for all guests to interact with one another, round dining tables create an intimate atmosphere that promotes conversation among diners.

Square Dining Room Tables

While round and rectangular dining tables are on opposite ends of the spectrum, square dining room tables present a happy medium. Even though they are more intimate than rectangular dining tables, they generally have more room in the center for placing shared dishes and servingware. Square dining tables can also fit nicely in smaller homes, because they can be neatly tucked into a room corner when space needs to be conserved.

Are you ready to purchase a new dining room table? At American Furniture Galleries, you will find affordable dining room tables in all shapes and sizes. To browse our complete dining room furniture collection, visit us in Rancho Cordova, CA or any one of our four furniture showrooms in Northern California.