18 Dining Room Layout Ideas for Any Size Space

Classic wood dining table in wallpapered room — Credit:
Jennifer Barron Interiors

The idea of a formal dining room is back, and interior designers are reveling in the chance to create dramatic dining room layouts with gorgeous long tables, cozy banquettes, and striking upholstered end chairs. There are seemingly endless ways to arrange a dining room, so how do you know which setup is right for you?

When deciding on a dining room layout, consider your space and how you entertain. If you use this as your daily dining space, then you might look for a table that's just the right size for your family, and you can add extra chairs as needed. If the room is solely dedicated to entertaining, consider how many seats you need for your go-to dinner party size. It's all about knowing how you plan on utilizing the space and designing specifically for your needs.

Whether you've carved a small dining room out of an open floor plan or you have a grand formal room for hosting holiday dinners, these designer-approved dining room layout ideas will help you get the most out of your space.

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Banquette on One End

Coastal dining room off of a kitchen — J. Banks Design Group / Molly Rose Photography

If your dining room is a casual spot just off your kitchen, consider building a banquette on one end, like in this space from J. Banks Design Group. This area could have been a simple breakfast room, but instead, it has the gravitas of a dining room with the laid-back attitude of a place to relax with your morning coffee.

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Round Table With End Chairs

Often, a round table gets a straightforward approach with a set of the same chairs around it. But why should tables with corners have all the fun? In this room from Inside Stories, a round table gets the formal treatment with two end chairs across from each other. This is a great way to make a small dining room feel more dressed up.

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Long Table and Two Types of Chairs

Dining room table in sunroom — Inside Stories

A long dining table is perfect for welcoming a big group. And, if you entertain often, consider giving you and your co-host places of honor at the ends of the long rectangle table. This dining room from Inside Stories has upholstered chairs at the ends. While it has a carefree, midcentury feel and a treehouse view, those end chairs give it a more formal edge.

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Small Dining Table and China Cabinet

Colorful dining room with small table — Atelier Interior Design

Storage is always at a premium in small spaces, and this dining room layout from Atelier Interior Design is no exception. A smaller table was chosen to give more room for a china cabinet off to the side. In this type of space, a table with a removable leaf is always an excellent choice.

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Dining Table Next to a Fireplace

Placing a long dining table next to a fireplace is exactly the vibe you want to create, particularly if you plan on hosting holidays. Take a cue from Latham Interiors and opt for a long table with eight chairs so there's room for everyone.

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Round Table With Four Chairs

If you need to fit a dining table in a smaller space, look for a round table, like this one from Urban Staging. A glass top takes up less visual space and retro chairs give the entire room a quirky, modern look.

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Oval Table With Upholstered Chairs

This maximalist dining room from Urban Staging features a classic oval table surrounded by upholstered dining chairs with a rounded silhouette. The shapes seem to echo each other, and the shape of the table leaves room for pulling up an extra chair or two when you have an unexpected guest.

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Wide Table With Eight Chairs

Turquoise dining room with wide rectangle table — Erika Bonnell Interiors / Stacy Zarin Goldberg

If you love a dramatic tablescape, then look for a table like the one in this dining room from Erika Bonnell Interiors. The footprint is wider than the average dining table, giving you real estate to take over the center with décor and centerpieces. The table gleans even more drama from its perpendicular position to the fireplace, creating a sight line straight to the gorgeous mantel.

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Round Table With Six Chairs

Round table with six modern chairs — BVA BarnesVanze Architects

To make the most of a small space, put six identical chairs around a round table, like BVA BarnesVanze Architects did in this modern dining room. Not only does it efficiently use the space, but it also creates a visually consistent aesthetic that looks seamless in a cozier dining room.

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Dining Table With Built-Ins

Dining table and built-ins — Third Street Architecture / Christy Kosnic Photography

Built-ins can become a functional conversation piece in a dining room, particularly when they're filled with a mix of objets d'art, items collected from travels, and a few accoutrements for the bar. This dining room from Third Street Architecture has a classic look that is made even more inviting with built-ins on either side of the table.

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Chairs On One Side and Bench On the Other Side

Dining table with bench on one side — Britt Design Group

This dining room from Britt Design Group has a look that perfectly balances rustic and elegant. There's a simple bench on one side of the trestle table, while two different types of classic farmhouse-style chairs surround the table. It's a functional layout that can fit four or five on the bench side, adding to its casual air.

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Table With Six Upholstered Chairs

Rustic table with upholstered chairs — Britt Design Group

Give everyone a comfortable place to land with a dining room like this one from Britt Design Group. A mid-size rectangular table is surrounded by six upholstered chairs, so everyone can settle in and relax after a good meal.

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Rectangle Dining Table With Extra Chairs

Classic dining room with extra chairs on side — Creative Tonic Design

If the size of your dinner parties varies, use this traditional layout as seen by Creative Tonic Design. Place six chairs in permanent rotation around the table, then set the rest around the room, ideally flanking a sideboard or other stately piece of furniture. They can come out whenever you extend the table to make room for more guests.

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Small Bistro Table and Chairs

Small bistro table and four chairs — Creative Tonic Design

Make your room multi-purpose by taking up as little room as possible with your dining room layout. A small bistro table is given more prominence thanks to a tablecloth and four traditional-style chairs, but it occupies minimal square footage in this vibrant room.

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Oval Table With Banquette and Barrel Chairs

Dining table with banquette and barrel chairs — Creative Tonic Design

This whimsical dining area dreamed up by Creative Tonic Design turns a breakfast area banquette into the most desirable seat in the house. Surrounded by barrel chairs and vintage-inspired leather seats, this dining room has more style than you'll typically find in a nook right off the kitchen. The oval table also lends a more dressed-up feel.

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Long Dining Table With Ten Chairs

Ten person dining table — Jennifer Barron Interiors

In a big dining room, there's no reason to play small. This dining room from Jennifer Barron Interiors has ten chairs in residence around the table at all times. It's a formal look that's perfect for grand spaces.

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Bench on One Side of Trestle Table

Bench on one side of dining table — Jennifer Barron Interiors

For a cozy dining space, try a bench on one side of a trestle table. It's a charming everyday look that feels appropriate for weeknight dinners but can hold its own for dinner parties. This dining room from Jennifer Barron Interiors also incorporates a contrast of white lacquer with warm wood to keep things interesting

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Rounded Rectangular Dining Table With Eight Chairs

Traditional rounded edge dining table — Jennifer Barron Interiors

This dining room from Jennifer Barron Interiors is as classic as it gets. Eight traditional wood chairs around a double pedestal dining table with a rounded rectangle top are timeless when it comes to dining room layouts. Paired with a sideboard, it's exactly where you want to host holiday dinner parties for decades to come.