Top tips
8 living dining room ideas
Create your dream living dining room by following my 8 handy tips.
8th May 2023
From open-plan areas to smaller roomed homes, the living dining room is a common feature in many living spaces.
Making the most out of a multifunction room is a real balancing act, however with some careful considerations, you can create the perfect setting for an elegant eating and living space.
1. Create the idea of space
Styling a small living dining room can be a challenge but there are some clever tricks to create the illusion of more space in a room.
It’s no secret that lighter colours help a space feel larger. Pale shades of white, beige, cream and muted pastels on the walls will make the room look lighter and feel airier.
Choosing furniture with higher legs that don’t sit on the floor will also make the room feel bigger as they show more floor space. Swap chunky pieces for slim legged items such as contemporary industrial style furniture with black or chrome legs or slim tapered wooden designs for a classic and slightly retro feel.
For some small living dining room ideas, discover 14 ideas to transform your small living room.
2. Space-saving dining tables
Taking centre stage, the dining table will always be the focal point in any dining space.
It’s important you choose the right table for your needs and that you are realistic about the type of eating space you need to avoid making the room feel overcrowded by an oversized table.
If you have a small space to contend with, a simple round table provides a wonderful option and offers intimate, relaxed dining.
As well as being easier on the eye than a rectangular or square option, a round table can make good use of an alcove or a cosy corner.
A glass or high gloss table will help the room feel larger and add a modern touch to a dining area.
Alternatively, extendable or drop leaf tables are ideal for those who like to entertain more or for those with a larger family.
Choose a bench rather than chairs to seat more guests, or foldable chairs which can be easily tidied away when not in use.
For tighter spaces, a bar table against a wall with some stylish stools will make a cute yet contemporary eating area.
I'd recommend reading our articles, best glass dining tables and best extendable dining tables for more dining table in living room ideas.
3. Clever storage
When you have a room that is doing double duty, choosing the right storage solutions are key for keeping the room looking clutter-free and feeling less cramped.
A large sideboard may feel counterintuitive but in fact, it provides ample storage, hiding a multitude of items for both the living and dining spaces, from books and blankets to napkins and tableware.
A glass-fronted cabinet in the dining area will not only provide a place to keep your plates but will also give the idea of more space by reflecting light and gives you the opportunity to display your favourite teacups!
If you need a coffee table, look for one with drawers in them for extra storage.
4. Maximise your space
For a room with multiple uses, it’s imperative to make the most of the space available. Having two functions, your living dining room will undoubtedly house at least a few pieces of furniture, one of the largest of which most likely being the sofa.
The right sofa can define a living space and in a living dining room, can be used to separate the space from the room’s dining function.
A corner sofa is a great option for this as it will enclose the space and you can sit your coffee table and other furniture within that space to create a cosy seating area.
Sit it plush against a wall or in the middle of the room. For a smaller option, try a more compact chaise, or a modular sofa, which you can tailor to your room shape.
If you need a less imposing option or you prefer multiple seating pieces, try a cosy 2 seater sofa and love chair.
You should try to minimise your need for lots of pieces of furniture and stick to essential elements. For example, mounting your TV on the wall will remove the need for a TV unit and create more space.
Tip: For a small room, try placing shelving up high on a wall to draw the eye up and make the room feel taller.
5. Multipurpose furniture
Finding furniture for living dining rooms can be a challenge. Pieces with other purposes can be a saviour if you’re struggling for space.
Find a storage footstool that can be used to hide things like remote controls, toys and books, and is big enough to be used as an extra seat for guests.
If your living room dining room is tripling up as a home office, a console table with space underneath could be used as a desk.
6. Define each area
Each space in your living and dining room will have it’s own function so it’s a good idea to give each area its own distinctive style.
Compliment your colour scheme with an accent wall behind the dining table or use a large piece of artwork or a photo gallery above the sofa to anchor the space and draw the eye. Rugs are also a great way to define different zones. You could place a rug underneath your coffee table and another one in a different colour or pattern in the living area.
Lighting can also be used to distinguish areas. For example, a single pendant hanging over a dining table can signify the item’s place in the room. Perhaps have something big and bold in the living area and opt for softer lighting in the dining area for some sultry mood setting.
You can even define the spaces by the way you position your furniture. Help to enclose your living area by having the back of the sofa to the dining area, creating a partition in the room. Then, arrange your living room furniture in the space in front of the sofa, separating the two zones.
Tip: If you don’t have enough space for a walkway between your living and dining area, push your dining table against the back of your sofa to create more room. It can then be pulled away at meal times if you need the other side.
7. Let the room flow
Having a cohesive scheme that runs throughout both the living and dining space will unite the space and keep the room feeling together.
Create a backdrop that works for the whole room. Sharing a colour scheme will help both areas blend beautifully together and help the room look lighter, rather than separating the spaces with different designs.
You could have the same flooring across both areas but choose different, complimentary shades in the different areas on the walls to define the spaces.
Or, choose coordinating furniture for a combined living room and dining room. Furnishing the room with matching furniture will be easier on the eye and look less busy.
8. Let the light in
The combination of living and dining furniture may make your room look crowded. Illuminating the room will make it look more airy and help it feel bigger too.
Keep the space as light and bright as possible by maximising both natural and artificial light. Swap heavy drapes for floaty curtains to let in as much natural light as possible and use ceiling lights, floor and table lamps to give your room an ambient glow.
Mirrors are also a great way of creating the illusion of more space as they reflect light around the room.
I hope I've given you plenty of inspiration to create a stylish and functional living dining room that works for you and your home.
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