Say Goodbye To The Dining Table With 10 Trendy Alternatives To Replace It For Good

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Dining rooms have declined in popularity in domestic spaces over recent years in favor of areas that can be used for other activities — such as playing and working — as well as eating. But, given that dining tables have been such a staple of meal times for quite literally hundreds of years, many people have still felt the need to use this bulky piece of furniture in their own homes, even if they no longer have a dedicated space for it. However, this doesn't have to be the case. As homes have shifted away from separate dining areas, plenty of trendy and highly practical ideas, which offer viable alternatives to the classic dining table, have popped up.

From repurposing a desk to placing a bar behind the sofa or opting for a fold-out table, there are plenty of clever solutions which can help you ditch your dining table altogether for something that works better for you and your household. Many of these alternatives are great for saving space, too, as they can either be moved out of the way when not in use or utilized for different purposes such as playing games, working, relaxing, or storing additional items. So, if your dining table has started to make your house feel cramped, or you just simply don't use it very often, why not consider looking into these alternative surfaces and tables that won't take up a lot of space in your home? You might just find a solution that is even better suited to your tastes, schedule, and everyday needs.

According to a study from PR Newswire, the amount of people who ate on their couch had almost tripled by 2019. If you're one of the growing number of people who opt to take their meals in the living room but you're not a fan of sitting hunched over on the sofa, you could try this clever dining table alternative: the living room bar. By placing a long, bar-height table alongside the back of a sofa, you can save space by essentially combining the eating and entertainment areas while still having separate seating for each activity.

If you like to eat in the living room but want to be in the middle of the action, why not ditch your dining table for the coffee table? There are plenty of ways to customize this trendy choice to make it perfect for your household. First, you could get an adjustable table that changes heights depending on whether you're eating or relaxing. Or, you could keep a low coffee table with cushions around it to allow you to eat from both the floor and the couch — perfect for making mealtime cozy and informal.

If you have guests more frequently and prefer eating your meals facing each other, making your kitchen island into a multi-purpose dining table could be a great solution for you.  By eating at your kitchen island, you can keep crumbs and spills contained, and cleanup can be a breeze because your dishes and cutlery will be much easier to gather up when you're done eating. This alternative saves you floor space by getting rid of the need for a dining table, and you can still find plenty of comfortable chairs to fit the height of your existing island.

Want to repurpose an existing surface as a dining table but don't have a kitchen island? Try using your desk! While it may require a little effort to remove the day's work materials before eating, a desk can be a great dining option as it tends to already be set to the right height. To make the transition between work and mealtime feel distinct, try adding a tablecloth to pick up spills and create a formal feel. You may also want to change to different chairs, so folding ones are a great option if you are limited on space.

For spaces that lack a dedicated dining area, banquette seating around a small, cafe-style table can be a great alternative to the traditional dining table. This is because banquette seating can be customized to fit into corners and other typically unused spaces, making the most of the square footage without the bulk of a large, freestanding dining table. You can either purchase a set — like this Urban Home Furniture Breakfast Nook Kitchen Bench Set — or try to make your own DIY banquette seating that still looks luxe using paneling and cushions in your chosen fabric.

If a large dining table isn't working for your space, you can always try breaking up the surface area into various side tables. There are a few advantages to this clever solution, including flexibility since the smaller tables can be moved to different areas depending on where people are sitting. In addition, there are plenty of stackable options, like this Giantex Nesting End Table Set, which is a huge space-saver when not in use. Remember to test out any side tables you are thinking of getting to see which heights work best for your existing seating options.

Many people eat their meals either on their own or with only one or two other people. As such, having a permanent dining table taking up space when much of its surface area isn't needed can feel fruitless. Folding tables have therefore become a popular alternative due to their ability to be collapsed down. This option can represent the best of both worlds because you still have plenty of space to eat when the table is folded out, but the area can be used for other activities during the rest of the day.

Is your couch in need of an upgrade? Well, believe it or not, you can actually find a sofa that is not only great for relaxing and watching television but can also take the place of your dining table for good. By choosing a couch with extra wide arms, you can make it super easy to eat your meals in comfort by having a built-in table right at your elbow. For extra security, try adding these handy LOVYANXUE Sofa Arm Trays, which provide a solid surface on top of the armrest to prevent potential spills.

One of the drawbacks of the traditional dining table is that, even if it's pushed up against a window, some of the seats tend to have their backs to the best view. If you enjoy being able to look out at the world as you eat and could use a little extra floor space, you may want to look into swapping your dining table for a window-facing breakfast bar. These long, bar-height tables can either be fixed or folded up and down to give them an even lower profile. Try adding cushioned bar stools for extra comfort.

For some people, eating is something they do quickly and in between the other busy aspects of their lives. As such, having a dining table simply isn't necessary or practical. For a compact alternative, say goodbye to your dining table and switch to a simple hall console instead. These thin tables can be kept in the hallway to save floor space in other rooms, and you can either eat in there or move the table to another area during meal times. Decorate a console table with a few candles or a tablecloth for a more formal, intentional feel.