Finding the perfect dining set for your first apartment can be difficult, especially if you have a small one bedroom or studio apartment. Most of these smaller dwellings do not include a separate area for the dining room. If you want to have a place to sit and eat alone or with a friend, you will want a table and chairs that fit your space without being obtrusive while still being functional.
Luckily, there are many different types of dining sets available that can meet these needs. Even if you don’t use the table on a regular basis, it will come in handy from time to time. The chairs can also be useful if you have a lot of company at one time.
Here are the best types of dining sets for your small home.
Bar style table and chairs
A bar style table and chairs can be rather small, as little as 3 feet square, usually of bar height. The barstools that accompany the dining set will usually fit neatly under the table so that they are not in the way when not in use. Bar style dining kitchen set are a great option for the bachelor, or anyone who wants the convenience of a table without the burden of chair storage.
Café style dining sets
Café style dining sets are another favorite for small apartments. Young women especially like the café style dining table and chairs. Like other furniture for studio apartments, this type of dining set is very lightweight and easy to move where you need it. That also means it is easy to move out of the way when necessary.
Choosing stools and accessories for an island or pass-through counter
If you have a kitchen island or pass-through counter in your small rental, you might not need a dining set at all. Counter-height stools are an affordable way to turn that counter into an area for dining. Traditional barstools are typically too tall for counters and islands, but you can find similar chairs in counter height options.
Extendable tables with chairs for versatility
There is another category of dining set that works well for apartments and grows with you as you move up in life. There are several different types of extendable tables that take up little space until you need it. Some tables slide apart in the middle, leaving a space for an extension leaf. This is the most common type of extendable table, but it is also the least likely to fit into your small space.
Instead, look for dining tables that have fold down ends. Each side of the table will have a leaf on a hinge that can be pulled up and set in place to add space. If you are usually eating alone, this small table is the perfect size. If you have someone over for dinner, pull the leaves up and make room for one or two more people.
Other options for studio apartment dining
If your studio apartment is really small, or you already have a lot of furniture, you may not want to make room for a dining set at all. There are some alternatives that you can use so that you still have a reasonable surface to eat from. After all, it is much easier to eat some meals (like spaghetti or steak) when you don’t have to hold your plate in your lap.
A console table with a simple accent chair can take the place of a dining table. Change your desk from workspace to dining space with just a few quick adjustments. If you plan on doing so frequently, you can make this easier for you based on your own preferences.