10 Ways to Make a Small Dining Room Look Bigger

Creating the illusion of space in a small dining room can be a rewarding and enjoyable endeavor. To make the most of your limited square footage, consider a few strategic design choices.

First, opt for a light, neutral color palette to create an airy and open feel. Lighter colors reflect natural light and can make walls seem to recede, visually expanding the space. In fact, a study by the University of Minnesota found that rooms painted in light colors can appear up to 20% larger than those with darker walls. Additionally, choose furniture that is scaled appropriately for the room’s size. Consider a round table, which can provide more seating while taking up less space than a square or rectangular one. According to the National Kitchen and Bath Association, a round table with a diameter of 36 inches can comfortably seat four people, while a 48-inch table can accommodate six.

Increase vertical space by adding tall shelves or cabinets to maximize storage capacity. A survey by the National Association of Home Builders revealed that 85% of homeowners prefer built-in storage solutions to make the most of their space.

Another effective way to make a small dining room appear larger is to play with mirrors. Mirrors can reflect light and create the illusion of more space. Consider placing a large mirror on one wall to visually expand the room. Another option is to use mirrored furniture, such as a buffet or sideboard, to add depth to the space. A study by the American Society of Interior Designers found that incorporating mirrors can make a room feel up to twice as large.

We have gathered some best ways to make a small dining room look bigger from some projects around the world to inspire you. Check them out below.

1. A Bright and Elegant Moscow Apartment with Golden Accents by Elena Kalinina from ELKA Interiors

One of the best ways to make a small dining room look bigger is by adding a round table. A Bright and Elegant Moscow Apartment with Golden Accents by Elena Kalinina from ELKA Interiors uses a marble round table for its dining room to provide more seating and save more space.

Photo credit Sergey Ananiev

2. A Modern Apartment in Eclectic Style by Anastasiia Postnikova and Maria Nitishinskaya

A Modern Apartment in Eclectic Style by Anastasiia Postnikova and Maria Nitishinskaya also has one of the best ways to make a small dining room look bigger. This apartment uses a small table to create a simple and cozy seating area. This table becomes the room statement that saves more space.

Photographer: Alexandra Dubrova

3. A White Moscow Apartment with Two Bedrooms and A Home Office by Alexander Tischler

Choosing a neutral color palette is also one of the best ways to make a small dining room look bigger. A White Moscow Apartment with Two Bedrooms and A Home Office by Alexander Tischler uses a light, neutral color palette (white) to create an airy and open feel. The blue chairs are the room statement that creates a visual interest.

Photographer: Yaroslav Lukiyanchenko

4. A Minimalist Apartment with A Cozy Gathering Space and A Color Splash by Alexander Tischler

A Minimalist Apartment with A Cozy Gathering Space and A Color Splash by Alexander Tischler also uses a round table as one of the best ways to make a small dining room look bigger. This apartment adds a white round table for its dining room to save more space and create an interesting look.

Photographer: Askar Kabjan | @askarkabjan

5. A Modern Apartment with A Glass Home Office for A Bachelor by Alexander Tischler

You can also find one of the best ways to make a small dining room look bigger in A Modern Apartment with A Glass Home Office for A Bachelor by Alexander Tischler. Besides using a round table to save more space, this apartment also brings leather chairs to create an interesting and inviting look.

Photographer: Evgenii Kulibaba

6. A Modern White Glossy Apartment with An Awesome City View of Moscow by Alexander Tischler

Beautiful in white. The use of a light neutral color is one of the best ways to make a small dining room look bigger as you can see in A Modern White Glossy Apartment with An Awesome City View of Moscow by Alexander Tischler. This modern apartment uses white elements for its dining room to create an airy and open feel.

Photographer: Yaroslav Lukiyanchenko

7. A Three-Bedroom Apartment with A Kitchen Island in Moscow by Alexander Tischler

Instead of a light color palette, A Three-Bedroom Apartment with A Kitchen Island in Moscow by Alexander Tischler chooses to go more neutral for its dining room. This apartment chooses the best furniture and lighting perfect for a small space. The result is an inviting dining room with a warm and inviting atmosphere.

Photographer: Yaroslav Lukiyanchenko

8. A One-Bedroom Moscow Apartment with A Combined Kitchen-Living Room by Alexander Tischler

A One-Bedroom Moscow Apartment with A Combined Kitchen-Living Room by Alexander Tischler also goes with a neutral tone for its dining room. This apartment uses a neutral color palette to create an airy and open feel for its small dining room. The dark wood of the small table and chairs make them the room statement.

Photographer: Olga Shangina

9. Michigan Apartment by Tria Arquitetura

Playing with mirrors is also one of the best ways to make a small dining room look bigger. Michigan Apartment by Tria Arquitetura is a cozy home that uses mirrors to reflect light and create the illusion of more space, visually expanding the room.

Photographer: Julia Ribeiro

10. East Side Penthouse by 1100 Architect

East Side Penthouse by 1100 Architect also uses mirrors as one of the best ways to make a small dining room look bigger. This house adds three round mirrors and hangs them on the wall. These mirrors not only reflect light but also create the illusion of more space.

Photography: 1100 Architect