Downsizing to a cozy dining nook but still want to entertain in style? A 40-inch round dining table set allows you to maximize a compact dining room without sacrificing style or comfort. The circular table shape fits perfectly into small footprints and corners, with just enough surface area for an intimate dinner party of four. When paired with the right scale furnishings and decor tricks, a petite round dining table makes the most of snug dining rooms and eat-in kitchens.
Measure Your Dining Room Footprint
Before shopping for a 40-inch round dining table, take time to measure the overall dimensions of your dining space. Note the length and width, accounting for any architectural details like bay windows or built-ins. Be sure to measure any narrow passageways or openings that the table needs to fit through as well. In general, allow for at least 36 inches of clearance on all sides of the seated diners. More space allows for easier movement around the table. For example, a 40-inch round table needs a dining room at least 8 feet wide and 7 feet deep to accommodate four chairs.
Also note ceiling height, window placement, light fixture locations, and any corner nooks or alcoves. This helps you choose the appropriately sized lighting and furnishings. Pay attention to traffic flow when mapping out your floorplan. Place the table in a spot with enough surrounding space to pull chairs out and stand without bumping into other furnishings or walls.
Choose the Right Scale Furniture
When furnishing a small dining room, proportion is key. A dainty 40-inch round dining table balanced out with oversized chairs or a weighty buffet looks awkward and shabby. Seek out furnishings with slim profiles, light visual weight and appropriately petite sizes. For a cohesive look, choose pieces from coordinated collections designed to blend seamlessly.
A 40-inch table seats four diners comfortably, but you can squeeze in a fifth occasional chair. Look for slender dining chairs under 40 inches tall with low, streamlined backs. Upholstered slipper chairs have a smaller footprint than wood-framed dining chairs. Remember to measure your desired chairs to ensure they will fit around your table with enough elbow room.
Round Table Benefits
Compared to rectangular or square dining tables, round tables have distinct advantages for petite spaces:
- Seating arrangement promotes conversation, since there is no “head” of the table.
- Space-saving shape fits comfortably in corners, nooks, and small footprints.
- Allows more seating capacity for the footprint; seats four comfortably.
Style Considerations for a Petite Dining Room
When working with a small dining room, stick to styles and finishes that keep things looking light and airy. A crisp white 40-inch round dining table contributes to a sense of openness. Mid-century modern and retro-inspired styles also suit intimate dining rooms, with their slender tapered legs and streamlined profiles. Go for wooden chairs and tables in blonde, natural or light-hued finishes rather than dark woods, which can feel imposing.
Incorporate mirrors and metallics to reflect light around. Consider transparent acrylic or glass-topped furnishings to maintain an open sightline. Built-in banquettes lined with windows streamline the perimeter and make the room appear larger.
Play with Multiple Textures and Patterns
Counterbalance petite furnishings with tactile textures and bold patterns to create a visually interesting dining room. Layer rugs under the table – try sisal for added texture. Choose chairs with colored upholstery or printed fabrics; refresh periodically with new slipcovers. Hang patterned roman shades on the windows and consider a dynamic wallpaper or colorful paint treatment on one wall.
Add interest on the table itself with decorative placemats, chargers, or a patterned tablecloth. Greeking up the tables adds character without taking up valuable visual space. Vibrant centerpieces also draw the eye.
Incorporate Mirrored Furnishings
Mirrored furniture is a timeless trick to enlarge a small dining room. The reflective surface casts light around and gives the illusion of more space. An antique mirrored back bar or breakfront buffet adds storage without overwhelming. Go for a slim mirrored cabinet rather than a traditional hefty hutch. Position it to reflect light from windows or your dining table centerpiece.
Freestanding mirrors also work well when placed strategically near windows or opposite other reflecting surfaces. Avoid placing mirrors directly facing each other, however, which creates dizzying reflections.
Use a Translucent Glass Table
Another space maximizing trick is choosing a dining table with a transparent glass surface. The see-through quality makes the table appear less cumbersome. A dainty pedestal base like a glass table with a metal tulip base further lightens up the look. Tempered glass tops are also easy to keep sparkling clean, which enhances surface area. Consider pairing painted Chinoiserie-style chairs with a glass top table for contrast.
Choose Slipper Chairs Over Bulky Dining Chairs
In a tiny dining room, a set of substantial wood or upholstered dining chairs could overwhelm the space. Opt instead for refined slipper chairs, with their petite footprints, low backs and tapered legs. The crisp profiles don’t encroach on precious floor space or sightlines. Their cozy seats and delicate frames make slipper chairs ideal for lingering at the table after dessert.
Look for slipper chairs with a high seat and back to provide ample comfort and support. Tufted details add textural interest. Choose chairs in pairs of two for each end of the table. Pull them in when not in use.
Suspend Statement Lighting Over the Table
Drawing the eye upward with a dramatic dining room chandelier or pendant makes 8-foot ceilings feel taller. Suspending a showpiece light fixture also pulls focus toward the center of the room. Seek out slender, streamlined silhouettes and long stems rather than voluminous wide fixtures. Multi-bulb designs feel airier than a single shade.
Position the pendant or chandelier approximately 30-36 inches over the tabletop. Size it appropriately – a table with a 40-inch diameter needs a fixture no more than 20 inches wide. Mini pendant lights, drum shades or Edison bulbs can provide great task lighting over a petite table.
Layer Window Treatments for Depth
Make windows appear larger while also amplifying light by layering sheer curtains with opaque drapery panels. Hang floor-length sheers close to the window frame to soften and filter incoming light. Drape blackout curtains on a separate rod further outside the window for full control over privacy and light levels.
Choose drapery in a generous width and puddle them onto the floor for a luxurious look. For small windows, pick a dramatic print. Hang curtains high above the window and extend the rod past the window edges to give the illusion of a wider opening. Incorporate matching valances to frame the top of the window.
Use a Rug to Delineate the Dining Zone
An area rug underneath the dining table visually defines and anchors the space, separating it from surrounding living areas even in an open concept room. Size the rug to extend at least 20 inches beyond all sides of the table. This allows you to pull chairs out from the table while keeping all chair legs on the rug. Extending the rug fully beneath a breakfront or buffet unites the pieces visually.
A plush, padded rug adds softness and sound dampening when dining rooms adjoin kitchens or main living areas. Patterned or brightly colored rugs add eye-catching detail. Just take care that rug patterns don’t clash with a busy chair print or tablecloth.
By selecting space-savvy furnishings and incorporating light-enhancing tricks, you can create a stylish dining space around a versatile 40-inch round dining table. Seek out petite proportions, glass surfaces, slipper chairs and statement lighting fixtures to maximize your compact dining room. With creative furnishing and decor strategies, you can feel right at home dining and entertaining in even the tiniest eat-in kitchen or dining nook.
The versatile 40-inch round dining table set allows for customization to match your personal style. Choose complementary chair fabrics and finishes for a coordinated look. High-quality hardwoods ensure durability even in small spaces where furniture gets more use. Prioritize comfort with supportive, generously cushioned dining chairs that encourage guests to linger at the table. Built-in storage options maximize functionality, while the circular table shape fits perfectly into tight spots and corners.
