Apartment Dining Room Ideas: Create a Flexible Plan You’ll Love in Any Place
- Balm Interiors
- Jul 16, 2024
- 6 min read
Make Home a Collection of Things You Can Take with You.
Are you putting off loving your home until you’re in a forever home? If the data has anything to say about it, forever homes aren’t really a thing anymore, and millennials especially are feeling locked out of home ownership altogether.
If you’re a renter, multi-hyphenate, or military family, don’t despair. I've lived in seven different homes and apartments in the last eight years, and I don't actually love the house I live in now. It's too big for my taste (too much to clean and too expensive to furnish), and my neighborhood is treeless and all right angles, making it punishing for outdoor strolls.
There’s good news for us. There's a way to make home a collection of things you love that move with you to your next place. I call these Flexible Design Plans, and they’re:
Choose furniture that can configure multiple ways
Opt for modular pieces that are multi-purpose
Scale-adjusted to common apartment and rental floorplans
Crafted to withstand trends, so you can switch up your style
Introducing a Flexible Design Plan for Dining Rooms
We’re going to explore a design strategy I use every day with my 20-something clients: flexible room design! Flexible room design considers your current space while also thinking ahead to all the places you could live next.
Grab the free printable resource to walk step-by-step through furnishing your current place, and then revisit it to adjust your design when the time comes for whatever comes next.
Versatility and Multi-Use
A flexible design plan is crafted to be modular. Every piece is chosen for its ability to move with you and function in different settings. Whether you’re in a cozy apartment or a sprawling house, these pieces will adjust like Tetris pieces into room arrangements that are ready to serve you wherever you are.
TIMELESS APPEAL APARTMENT DINING ROOM IDEAS
Trends come and go, but a timeless foundation means you don’t have to go out and buy a whole new room every time the trend cycle turns over (about every 10-15 years). By focusing on classic shapes and boring colors, you can invest in color and trend in fabrics, art, and lighting, but ensure your seating remains elegant and relevant, no matter how style evolves over time.
Timeless Tips:
Quality over Quantity: Invest in all-wood tables and storage furniture when possible. Avoid MDF or particle board (or plan to replace it after a move) when possible. While these pieces can stand up over time as installed shelving, for example, they can’t bend and adjust like wood and will crack if moved once assembled.
Classic Design: Opt for furniture shapes that have stood the test of time and have well-known names (e.g., Eames chair, Shaker table, roll-arm sofa, pedestal table). Avoid pillowy seating, “transitional” style pieces, and trendy new shapes that combine common older styles. Grab the guide, and you’re covered!
Trendless Colors: I recommend boring and timeless colors for large and investment pieces. This creates a versatile foundation that can flow in and out of different trend and color cycles seamlessly. Warm whites, oatmeal, some beiges, navy, and denim are all timeless classics.
GRAB THE FREE DOWNLOAD
Step 1: Download the Design Plan
The download includes a curated a shopping list with all the essential items for a flexible dining room. This list is your guide to purchasing pieces that are stylish, adaptable, and available at three different price points. Item descriptions, colors, dimensions, and vendor suggestions at the various price points are all listed in the guide.
Step 2: Find the Arrangement That Works for Your Space
Once you have your pieces, it’s time to arrange them. Grab the printable guide for detailed instructions and example floorplans to try. These tips will help you create a functional and beautiful dining area, no matter the size or layout of your space.
Arrangement Advice:
Flow and Functionality: Ensure there is enough space to move around comfortably, at least three feet on all sides from the edge of your table. Grab the downloadable resource for floorplan examples and graphics that give options for spaces even smaller than standard.
Flexible Layout: Be sure to try multiple layouts before you commit to what’s best, so just because the previous owner had a space with the sofa facing a certain wall doesn’t mean that it’s optimal for the space or for how your people use it. Give yourself about a week to try different arrangements before feeling things out and deciding which creates the best flow.
Step 3: Inject Your Personality
Once your pieces and room arrangement are fixed, make the space your own by adding personality and style with fabrics, lighting, and art. Make a mood board (I use Pinterest) with styled inspiration photos, and take cues from these inspiration images for your color and style.
Artwork and Decor: Choose pieces that have personal meaning or that you love.
Textiles: Use rugs, curtains, and cushions to add color and texture.
Lighting: Pay attention to the light bulbs (color, brightness) to find the vibe you’re going for. Aim for three lamps or sconces (non-overhead lights) per room.
Keep Design Principles in Mind: Remember, each of these selections have basic design rules to follow, from how big they ought to be to how to hang or display them. Google away as you’re making your decisions to find out which design principles and rules you ought to keep in mind.
Three Free Downloadable Design Plans
Creating a dining room that you love now and can take with you to your next place is not only possible but also practical. By following flexible design plans, you can invest in quality pieces that will last, adapt to different spaces, and always reflect your style. Download the free resource today and start transforming your dining room into a space that is elevated but still uniquely you, and enjoy a space that adapts to your life and style as they change.
Download the free resource you need most today and start your journey to beautiful, functional rooms that stand the test of time.
Happy decorating! Consider this a shortcut to a home that's elevated but you!
Balm Interiors is built on the belief that everyone deserves a beautifully designed space, regardless of budget. I’m Kelley Dowling, and I've developed a knack for decorating homes creatively and affordably through the best education a person can have... decorating seven of my own apartments and homes.
My journey began out of necessity—I furnished and decorated multiple homes on a shoestring budget, honing my skills in sourcing second-hand treasures, upcycling, and incorporating eco-friendly materials. Now I brin the same creativity and detail-obsession to client's all across the U.S.
QUESTION AND ANSWER
Q1: What is the best furniture to buy for my apartment dining room?
When selecting furniture, opt for pieces that are modular and versatile. Tables with extendable leaves, stackable chairs, and multipurpose storage solutions are great choices. Measure your current space and consider potential future spaces to ensure that your furniture can adapt to various layouts, no matter your dining room or apartment dining room ideas. Download the free resource for a step-by-step how to.
Q2: What are some stylish furnishings to include in my apartment dining room?
Focus on high-quality materials and classic styles. Wood and metal are durable and versatile materials that suit many design aesthetics. Choose neutral colors for larger items and incorporate timeless patterns like stripes or solids in your textiles. These are both stylish and classic, so they won’t go out of style. Download the free resource for a step-by-step how to.
Q3: How can I add renter friendly style to my dining room?
Incorporate personal items and meaningful decor rather than following trends or off-the-rack art. Family photos, original artwork, and heirloom pieces add personality that’s timeless and will look beautiful and unique in every place you ever live. Use trendy items in small doses, such as cushion covers or small decor pieces, which can be easily swapped out over time. Download the free resource for a step-by-step how to.
Q4: What should I prioritize when arranging my dining room?
Prioritize flow and functionality. Ensure there is enough space to move comfortably around the table and that the layout allows for easy access to all seats. The arrangement should facilitate conversation and make the space feel welcoming and balanced. Download the free resource for a step-by-step how to.
Q5: How do I maintain a cohesive look with the rest of my home when updating my dining room decor?
Stick to a single neutral base color and add in color and interest with accessories and decor items. This approach allows you to keep the main furnishings over time while refreshing the room as new trends come and go. Keep in mind your color palette and design style as you choose new pieces, and make small changes like swapping out artwork or textiles to keep the space feeling fresh. Download the free resource for a step-by-step how to.
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