10 Small Dining Room Ideas You'll Love from Pinterest: Creative and space-smart inspirations for your small dining room, inspired by real projects and Pinterest findsElena DuvalSep 24, 2025Table of Contents1. Fold-Down Wall Tables2. Banquette Seating3. Round Tables for Flow4. Mirrors to Double the Space5. Slim Profile Chairs6. Multipurpose Storage Units7. Pendant Lighting for Focus8. Extendable Tables9. Light, Neutral Color Palettes10. Open Shelving for Style & StorageFAQFree Room PlannerDesign your dream room online for free with the powerful room designer toolStart for FREEOne of my funniest design memories was walking into a client's tiny apartment and finding they had crammed a six-seat dining table into their living space—just because they thought "guests might come over." That table swallowed the whole room, and it taught me a big lesson: small spaces can spark even bigger creativity. Today, I’m sharing 10 small dining room ideas inspired by my own projects and some brilliant gems I’ve spotted on Pinterest, so you can make every square inch work beautifully. And yes, you can even play around with layouts using an easy room planner before you commit to buying anything.1. Fold-Down Wall TablesA fold-down table mounted to the wall can be your best friend when you need flexibility. It’s there when you need it, gone when you don’t. The only catch? You might need to reinforce the wall if it’s not solid wood or concrete. I once added a slim, custom oak fold-down for a studio kitchen, and the space instantly felt twice as big.save pin2. Banquette SeatingBanquettes can tuck right into a corner and often have storage underneath. It's cozy, saves floor space, and gives off that charming café vibe. The only downside: it’s harder to rearrange than chairs, so commit to a layout you love.save pin3. Round Tables for FlowRound tables eliminate sharp corners, which makes a small room feel more fluid. I love them for apartments where chairs get pulled in and out constantly—no more bruised hips. Plus, they’re great for conversation.save pin4. Mirrors to Double the SpaceLarge mirrors on one wall can visually double your square footage. I once used an antique gold-framed mirror behind a dining table, and guests kept asking if there was another room back there. Just be mindful of what’s reflected—it should be something you want to see twice!save pin5. Slim Profile ChairsOpt for chairs with slender legs or no arms. They slide in neatly and look airy. Avoid bulky upholstery unless you have extra room to spare. In one remodel, swapping four chunky chairs for slim bentwood ones made the table look bigger instantly.save pin6. Multipurpose Storage UnitsA low sideboard or console table can store dishes and act as a serving station during dinner parties. If you’re planning a custom piece, test its placement in a mock layout—something I often do in the free floor plan creator tool I use for quick visualizations.save pin7. Pendant Lighting for FocusHanging a pendant light directly over the table creates intimacy and defines your dining zone, even in an open-plan space. I’m obsessed with adjustable-height fixtures so you can switch from work mode to dinner mode easily.save pin8. Extendable TablesPerfect for small spaces that occasionally host more guests. Keep it compact for daily life, extend it when needed. One of my clients’ favorite transformations was swapping a fixed table for an extendable one—they said it “literally felt like getting two tables in one.”save pin9. Light, Neutral Color PalettesSoft tones make a small dining room feel open and airy. White and light grey are classics, but I’ve also had great results with pale sage. Pair with natural textures for warmth so it doesn’t feel too sterile.save pin10. Open Shelving for Style & StorageOpen shelves let you display beautiful dishware while keeping essentials handy. Just don’t overcrowd them—negative space is key. In my last project, incorporating open shelves near the table not only added function but also framed the space in a way that guided traffic flow, something I tested first with an kitchen layout planner before installing.save pinFAQQ: Can I fit a dining table in a really tiny apartment?A: Absolutely—if you choose the right shape and size. Round, extendable, or fold-down options work wonders.Q: How do I make a small dining space feel bigger?A: Use mirrors, light colors, and low-profile furniture. And always leave enough circulation space so it doesn’t feel cramped.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