In my current Tiny House, I have chosen not to have a dining table in the house. Well, I do have one, but it’s hidden in the sitting area. I can conjure it up when I need it, but it doesn’t bother me when I don’t need it. That way it doesn’t take up unnecessary space. In my new house, I will have enough space in the greenhouse to permanently set up a table and chairs. So now I can look out for a nice one! But what are the points of attention when you are looking for a dining table for your Tiny House?
Not just for eating
To be honest, I almost always eat with my plate on my lap. I already did that when I lived bigger; I just find it easy. Sitting at a table alone doesn’t suit me. But if you are hosting a dinner, it is, of course, nice to be able to sit around the table with everyone. Or when you have a meeting at home, or just to do some crafts or to read a newspaper. I regularly hold consultations in my house, and then it is nice to be able to sit at the table. A dining table is therefore quite handy, even if you don’t eat at it every day.
All sizes and shapes
Dining tables come in all shapes, sizes, materials, and dimensions. I recently made a surprising discovery, in a conversation with Daphne of furniture store Eijerkamp in Zutphen. She told me that a round table is very efficient in a small space. I would never have thought that! Because you usually put a table in a Tiny House against a wall, right? And in that case, you lose useful space with a round table i.e. the corners are unused. My interest was piqued, and I went to investigate. If you are putting the table against a wall, it is indeed better to take a rectangular or square table. But if you are placing the table in the middle of a room, a round table is indeed more efficient! A round table takes up less space and is easier to walk around. And you get the well-known round table effect: everyone is equal and you can see everyone equally well. That’s a nice plus at meetings, when you want to play a board game or the favorite pastime during lockdowns (jigsaw puzzles! ;).
Big is not necessarily wrong
By the way, did you know that your interior has a much calmer atmosphere when you have a few large pieces of furniture and decorations rather than when you fill the room with small cupboards, chairs, knick-knacks and plants? If a (large) dining table is very important to you, it is best to reserve the space for it. Of course, you need to make choices in a Tiny House when it comes to the interior. It works well if you keep the interior simple.
Chair dance
Naturally, you are not there yet with just a table; you also want to be able to sit comfortably at it. When you already know which chairs you want, you can adjust your choice for the table accordingly. In a small room it is useful to choose chairs that you can slide completely under the table. A combination of a bench and chairs can also work very well and gives a cozy atmosphere. It goes without saying that they should be comfortable, so try them out in the store.
Multifunctional or foldable
I think every Tiny House enthusiast knows the famous folding table from the Swedish furniture giant. With or without drawers. It is, of course, very smart to choose a dining table that can extend when you have more diners than usual. There are also beautiful tables that you can transform from coffee table into dining table. Although I do wonder how many Tiny Houses include a coffee table… ;) There are tables with storage space in them — always handy in a small house, and tables that transform into a sofa, cupboard, or even a bed. Just search for ‘convertible furniture’ on Pinterest and you’ll have some fun. Usually there is a hefty price tag on such furniture, and you may wonder whether you really need it. Simplicity and reliability also have their advantages, I think.
Which table do I choose?
I’ve not quite decided yet, haha! I have these gorgeous rocking chairs on my porch, which I want to put in the greenhouse in my new house. Maybe I’ll choose a low table instead and add two nice chairs or a sofa. I think I must see and feel the space before I can make an informed decision. I also want a coat rack in the greenhouse for my coats, and maybe even a wardrobe with drawers for shoes and a hanging area for coats. So, the question is: what fits well? That remains to be seen. But it’s already fun to think about it and look for a new style for my new house.
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