Our experienced designers will help you create personalized homes anytime, anywhere Get Started

Explore Categories

Recent Searches

Log in
Profile Image

Profile and Settings My Project Saved Following Support Sign Out
GET A QUOTE
Living Dining Room

Multifunctional dining spaces for small apartments

By Jasem Pirani

Co-founder of Mumbai based design studio MuseLAB, Jasem Pirani outlines the multiple uses of a dining room in a small apartment

With a low inventory of affordable housing available, space now comes at a premium price. With evolving lifestyles and changing eating habits, not all family members eat together every day. So, we are compelled to question if the traditional use of a dedicated dining space within a small house is applicable anymore. Here are some thoughts on what a dining space or even table could function as when not being used for its primary purpose.

1.    As a home office:
A home office or study is one instance where the dining table could double up as a larger work surface, allowing you to spread out paper work and organising yourself. Reference books too, can be kept on the table, leaving the floor clutter free. The dining alcove can also be dressed up with pretty lights, a rug and inspirational accessories for an ideal meeting space within the home.

2.    Activity Space:
Walls in the dining space can be lined with books and the big cosy table could become the perfect place to read. This space could also double up as an artist's studio for bringing out the canvas and painting away.

3.    Play area:
The dining space could also function as a playroom with dedicated storage space for toys, games and art supplies, so that they can be tucked away during meal times. Board games within the dining space can help encourage more family time over the use of personal handheld devices.

For a flexible dining space to work efficiently, the walls need to be planned well with a credenza or two and a series of shelves to help keep the space in order and harmoniously function as a dining space and more.

A great way to bond with the family apart from sharing meals is also playing board games. Turn the dining area into a playing area or activity centre with designated space to store toys and art supplies.

For using the living room as a play area, make sure you have allocated storage space such as a side cupboard or credenza to stow away the games and toys when it’s meal time.

A Story About

Next up…

Living Dining Room

Decorating tips for a small dining room

Create more space in your small dining room with these innovative décor ideas

By Jyotsna Kanal
Living Dining Room

Essentials for the dining area

Shonali Mahajan, founder of Studio Wodehouse, spills the beans on the must-haves for the dining room

By Nadezna Siganporia
Living Dining Room

Mix and match dining room seating plan

Break a few décor rules as you give these eclectic mix and match seating ideas a go in your house

By Tasneem Merchant
Living Dining Room

Dining room ideas How to seat more during Diwali

Mumbai based interior designer Minnie Bhatt, founder of Minnie Bhatt Design gives us nifty tips on dealing with unexpected arrivals at your Diwali dinner party

By Nadezna Siganporia

Other topics we’re covering

Follow us on Instagram