Month: February 2017

While some homeowners or renters are looking for full dining room sets, most current urban dwellings don’t allow the space to have a formal dining room. As a culture, we’re shifting away from the formal dining room and moving toward eat-in kitchens and breakfast bars or nooks. Some formal dining rooms rarely see use, perhaps once or twice a year, and are being re-purposed for other things like home offices. If you’re looking to move your main dining area into the kitchen, or you simply don’t have a dining room, there are plenty of smaller dining sets to use in a kitchen setting.

Size and layout

Evaluate the layout of your kitchen. Do you have a breakfast bar to utilize? Some smaller apartments offer breakfast bars, perfect for barstools, rather than a formal dining room table. It can be a great way to save on space in an otherwise cramped apartment.

Maybe there’s an area of your kitchen that would be perfect for a breakfast nook. Is there a bench or window seat built in to your apartment? Consider using that as a portion of seating for your dining area, and only investing in two to three chairs. You could try pushing a table up against a wall to save space in your kitchen. If two of you live in a house and only use two chairs, push it up against the wall, to make more space. If you have dinner guests, the table can always be pulled out and more chairs can be used.

Another great space saver for a smaller kitchen is benches for seating. Benches can always be pushed under tables to create more space when the table isn’t being used. Another great space addition is adding a breakfast bar or high top table to your kitchen counter. Use it as a counter extension or an island in your kitchen. If you lack counter space, the addition of this table could help provide more space to prep food and eat.

Table ideas for a small kitchen

An easy solution to an apartment with a smaller kitchen, and no dining room is a bistro table. Bistro tables are small and not heavy. They’re the perfect eat-in kitchen solution, and they come in many sizes.

Dinette sets are also a great idea for a smaller kitchen. Dinettes are smaller dining tables that can seat two to four people. They fit perfectly in a breakfast nook or kitchen.

Take away

A great way to maximize space is utilizing a bistro table or dinette set.  It can be a great way to  create an eat-in kitchen, or just a good way to maximize space.

Instead of heading out for an expensive dinner on Valentine’s Day, try cooking a meal in with your partner or family. It saves money, and eliminates the stress of getting ready to go out. Your dining room may take a little transformation to imitate a dimly lit romantic bistro, but it can be done. Here are our suggestions:

Use a Tablecloth. Using a tablecloth completely changes the feel of a room. If you have a dark wooden table, lighten it up with a white lacy cover. Or try for the not-so-subtle deep red tablecloth. People don’t use table cloths often, because they get dirtier easily. Valentine’s Day is a special occasion, and it well qualifies for a tablecloth. Cloth napkins up the fancy factor here too, if you have some on hand.

Candles. This one is obvious. A little mood lighting changes the feel of any meal. This isn’t specific to romantic dinners either, as candles are a great dining room table addition at the holidays, birthdays, etc.

If you’ve ever eating a meal in a swanky restaurant’s dining room, you’ve noticed that the lights are dimmed, and the candles are lit. This is a simple way to make the night feel special. If you can dim the lights in your dining room, do. If you have candles lit, this will add to the ambiance.

Add some flowers, because fresh flowers always make a day feel special. Get whatever kind of flowers you can. Valentine’s Day isn’t limited roses anymore. Any kind of flowers will spruce up a dining room table, and show that you care. Remember though, if you’re buying flowers that are scented you may want to use unscented candles.

Do some research on how to formally set a table. Consider what food you’re cooking, and make sure you have all the proper utensils on the table. Add a pitcher of lemon and ice water onto the table for a more formal restaurant-like touch.

Pick some music to help set the mood. Music choice is up to you and your preferences. If Valentine’s dinner is a family affair, pick something for everyone. If it’s you and your partner, go for something slower, and more romantic.

Remember Valentine’s Day is about showing love and appreciation for your partner and family. If you burn a casserole, or forget to chill the wine, don’t worry. It’s about trying to do something nice, and the effort is what really matters. If you’re not a chef extraordinaire, ask for help cooking. Make it fun in the kitchen, and surprise with a really fancy dining room table setting.