10 IKEA Dining Room Ideas You’ll Love: Creative IKEA Dining Room Ideas for Small & Stylish HomesLena WuSep 24, 2025Table of Contents1. Extendable Tables for Flexible Dining2. Bench Seating with Storage3. Mix & Match Chairs4. Wall-Mounted Fold-Out Table5. Light it Right6. Rug Under the Table7. IKEA Shelving as Buffet8. Mirror to Double the Space9. Two-Tone Walls10. Compact Corner SolutionsFAQFree Room PlannerDesign your dream room online for free with the powerful room designer toolStart for FREEOne time, a client showed me a Pinterest photo of a massive 12-seater dining table and said, “I want this…but in my 8㎡ dining area.” At first, I thought she was joking. Turns out, she wasn’t! That redesign taught me that small spaces aren’t a limitation—they’re a playground for big creativity. In this post, I’ll share 10 IKEA dining room ideas that mix style, function, and a bit of cleverness from my years of working on compact homes. I’ve also used tools like room planner to visualize perfect layouts before buying a single chair.1. Extendable Tables for Flexible DiningExtendable tables are lifesavers for small dining rooms. IKEA’s BJURSTA or INGATORP let you seat guests when needed without permanently taking up space. Just remember—mechanisms can wear over time, so check the quality before buying.save pin2. Bench Seating with StorageA built-in bench along one wall not only seats more people but hides storage underneath. Perfect for extra table linens and seasonal décor. Budget tip: customize IKEA cabinets to create a base—it’s a hack I’ve used many times.save pin3. Mix & Match ChairsGone are the days when all chairs had to match. Mixing styles can make a room more relaxed and personal. The only tricky part? Keeping seat heights consistent so everyone is comfortable.save pin4. Wall-Mounted Fold-Out TableFor ultra-small spaces, consider a wall-mounted drop-leaf table. Fold it away when not in use, freeing up floor space. A client once used one as both her dining surface and a work desk—two birds, one stylish stone.save pin5. Light it RightGood lighting transforms a dining experience. A statement pendant like the IKEA SINNERLIG instantly creates a focal point. Just keep the scale proportional to your table and use warm bulbs for a cozy feel.save pin6. Rug Under the TableAdding a rug defines the dining zone, especially in open-plan layouts. Flat-weave rugs work best for easy cleaning. I often sketch placement in a free floor plan creator to get the right proportions before buying.save pin7. IKEA Shelving as BuffetTurn KALLAX or IVAR shelves into a serving station or mini bar. Just add baskets or closed doors for a more polished look. It’s an affordable way to add function without bulky furniture.save pin8. Mirror to Double the SpacePlacing a large mirror opposite the table makes the room feel bigger and reflects light beautifully. Pro tip: hang it so reflections show people, not legs, for a more flattering dining vibe.save pin9. Two-Tone WallsPainting the lower half in a richer tone and the top in light color visually grounds the space. Affordable and renter-friendly if paired with removable wallpaper.save pin10. Compact Corner SolutionsDon’t ignore corners—round tables or corner bench sets make good use of awkward nooks. I recently used a kitchen layout planner to also map a dining corner in a studio flat—it maximized both cooking and eating zones.save pinFAQ1. How do I make my IKEA dining room look expensive?Swap out standard knobs for designer hardware, use statement lighting, and layer textures like wood, linen, and ceramics.2. What is the best IKEA dining table for a small apartment?Extendable options like BJURSTA or NORDEN are practical because they save space until you need them.3. Can I combine different IKEA dining chair styles?Yes! Just keep seat height and visual weight in balance for a cohesive look.4. How to add storage to an IKEA dining space?Use benches with storage, wall-mounted shelves, or sideboards like the BESTÅ series.5. Should I put a rug under my dining table?Yes, a rug can define the space—just choose a flat weave for easy maintenance.6. How do I light a small dining area?A single pendant or a cluster of smaller lights works well—refer to IKEA’s lighting size guide for proportions (source: IKEA.com).7. Can I use IKEA kitchen furniture in the dining room?Absolutely—many lines like IVAR or KALLAX work just as well for dining storage.8. What’s a budget-friendly way to update an IKEA dining setup?Try paint, new cushions, or repurpose existing pieces with a creative configuration.Start for FREEPlease check with customer service before testing new feature.Free Room PlannerDesign your dream room online for free with the powerful room designer toolStart for FREE