Do I Need a Dining Room?

According to Lawrence Puah, design director of Akihaus Design Studio, there are three key considerations to help you decide whether you need a dining room. Firstly, with homes - especially apartments in particular - getting smaller, it sometimes does not make sense to squeeze in a dining table just for the sake of having one. This frees up room for other spaces.

The second consideration has to do with the lifestyle of the occupants. Some people prefer to have their meals in the living room, in front of the television, in the kitchen, or anywhere else other than at the dining table proper. If this is the case, then the dining room would just become a white elephant.

Lastly, the option to double up, such as using the kitchen island or bar counter as a dining table can offer greater flexibility and spatial efficiency. If any one or more of these scenarios apply to you, then it is worth considering whether a dining room is necessary for your home.

Kitchen island dining table

In this apartment at D’Dalvey, doing away with a dining room allows for a more spacious living room and kitchen. The kitchen island also serves as a dining table with barstool seating instead of a conventional dining table and chairs.

For this tiny apartment, it was almost a necessity to not have a dining room due to its 583 sq ft size. Combining the kitchen and dining functions freed up the layout, so that the interior does not feel so cramped.

With apartments that have irregular or non-conventional layouts such as this condominium unit at Queens Peak, the design requires more thought.

In this case, the living room is unusually small and the original layout would result in a non-functional kitchen and a dining table that would obstruct the circulation. The solution proposed was to integrate a dining area within both the kitchen and the living room to create two different dining experiences.

Foldable dining table

Consider a foldable or extendable table that can be easily adjusted for dining and then compacted when not in use. This allows you to maintain a spacious and clutter-free living area while still having a functional dining space.

If you’re setting up dinner in the living room, use a portable serving cart or tray to carry food and drinks from the kitchen to the living room, minimising trips. Set up a side table or console nearby for additional surface space when you are dining in the living room. Enhance the atmosphere with candles at mealtimes.

Opt for comfortable seating that can easily transition between dining and lounging. Upholstered chairs, padded benches, or even plush floor cushions can provide a cosy dining experience in an open-plan living room. Arrange the seating to encourage conversation and make sure it’s easy to move around the table for a seamless dining experience.