Space Saving Dining Room Furniture

When floor space is at a minimum in your home or apartment, one way to make the most use of the area is by purchasing space saving dining room furniture.  There are actually a number of different options to choose from, ranging from tables that can be expanded when necessary, to entire units that can fold down and serve other purposes when not being used for dining.  Below are some note-worthy examples of great space efficient dining options that may be ideal for your living arrangements.

The first option to consider is a dining room set that comes complete with a removable center leaf for the table.  This handy and unique design can be a great space saver, especially if you have a smaller dining room, or have a combination living room and dining room area.  With most furniture pieces similar to this, the table can easily accommodate four table settings without the leaf.  When the beautiful center leaf is added, the table immediately is ready to provide ample space for up to six people. Some designs also have the possibility of a second removable leaf, making it possible to squeeze in up to ten people if necessary. Since the removable leaf can be stored easily in a closet or under a bed, you have the convenience of a big table when you need it, without your space feeling crowded the rest of the time.

Drop-leaf tables are another popular example of space saving dining room furniture.  Tables of this type may include a drop leaf positioned on one or two of the long sides of the table.  This design can be especially good for small apartments, since the table can be placed along a wall or behind a sofa floated in middle of the room.  The collapsed table can be flanked by a couple of dining chairs to create a pleasant and intimate dining spot for two.  When needed, the table is pulled away from the sofa or wall, the leaves extended and secured in place, and you have an ideal eating space for sit down dinner parties or a nice buffet.

Modular furniture options also include space saving dining room furniture.  One interesting contemporary design calls for seating that is actually housed under the table unit itself.  Equipped with leaves that retract rather than collapse, the table appears to be quite small when not in use.  Instead of chairs, two benches fit neatly under the table, making it possible to place the entire set along one wall with ease.  When needed, the leaves are pulled out and up to snap into place with the main section of tabletop, and the two benches are pulled out from under the table and placed along the long sides of the unit.  Efficiency apartments in particular can make use of this simple yet effective design.

Of course, you may not be interested in any dining room furniture that tucks, retracts, or folds.  Instead, you may simply want something that will fit the scale of your room.  When that is the case, you may want to consider something with very simple lines and a slightly smaller table size.  One good choice that will fit in with many different types of décor is a simple Shaker table for two.  The simple lines lend themselves well to traditional or contemporary rooms, and the smaller table will be sufficient for two place settings.  Another advantage of a simplistic design of this nature is that it is easy to keep the set clean, since there are no intricately carved nooks or crannies to collect dust.

The choice of materials is almost as important as the space efficient qualities of any dining room furniture you choose.  While wood is a common option for any type of dining room furniture, you may want to consider other options as well.  Glass and wrought iron may be good choices if you have a small space that is somewhat eclectic in design.  Metal is also an option that can add a different texture to the space, helping to create additional visual interest.  Tabletops made with marble or granite can accomplish the same goal.  Even synthetic materials that mimic the look of natural wood or stone may be options you want to consider, depending on your general décor and the space you have to work with.

Cost is also an important factor when choosing any type of space saving dining room furniture.  Do not automatically assume that a smaller table and chairs will cost less than a larger set.  Depending on the materials used for the construction of the pieces, and the detail put into the design, you may just spend just as much on smaller sets as you would on the larger pieces.  Fortunately, there are many different designs and options to choose from, so chances are you can find something that will fit into your budget with relative ease.