The dining area is by definition the most convivial space in the house: it must be carefully designed, whatever the size of the living room. Here are some tips to help you...

Delineating spaces

In most modern homes, the kitchen is now open to the living room. The challenge, unless you want to be original at all costs, is to clearly delimit the different spaces for eating with the family, receiving friends, relaxing, etc. The layout of the dining area is therefore very important. Unless you choose a bar that clearly separates the kitchen from the living room, which is not very practical when there are a lot of people, a table is the best solution, especially as there are tables to suit all styles today. You can then clearly identify the dining area, with a simple carpet, a piece of furniture to divide it and/or appropriate lighting.

Attention to measurements

However, before you come home with the table, round or rectangular, that caught your eye, a little exercise is in order: take the measurements! Whether you want to set up the dining area on the kitchen side (which is the most logical) or elsewhere, it will first of all be convivial, so you might as well have enough room to sit and move around. In concrete terms, 45 cm around the table is needed to sit on a chair, 120 cm to move it backwards and 150 cm to move freely from one guest to another. Note also that to be comfortable on a table, each person should have a width of one metre. This being said, and especially if you like a light interior, you can always buy an extension table.

Solutions for small spaces

If you are really short of space, you will have to be ingenious. One solution is to use the same space for the living room and the dining area. How do you do this? Simply by opting for a coffee table that folds up and some folding stools. Alternatively, you can opt for a narrow bar between the kitchen and the living room, or a (small) table that is fixed to the wall and can be folded away. Of course, it will be less easy to entertain!

See also: Ideas for a cosy living room