There are more than a few reasons why you may want to put a dining table in the living room. But, what is the best placement? We researched how to make the most of a dining table in a living room, whether you have a spacious loft apartment or a cozy flat. Read more to learn helpful tips to make your dining table an attractive focal point in the living room.

If you were curious if it is okay to put a dining table in the living room, the answer is yes. Check out the following positions to use when arranging a dining table in this space:

  • Across the couch opposite the coffee table
  • Off to the side of the couch and coffee table
  • Behind the couch
  • Paired with the couch as seating

Get excited to transform your living room and utilize your dining table to work seamlessly, whether by a sunny window or behind your sofa. Please keep reading for a closer look at how to layout each orientation to incorporate a dining table in your living room.

Home interior with open plan kitchen, lounge and dining area, Can You Put A Dining Table In The Living Room?

Dining Table In Living Room

Home interior with open plan kitchen, lounge and dining area, Can You Put A Dining Table In The Living Room?

Whether you live in a tiny apartment or want to maximize a combination living room and dining room, it is wise to place a dining table in the living room. Dining tables are not only for sitting down to eat brunch, lunch, or dinner; they are a versatile piece of furniture that can provide multiple functions in a living room. Consider the following reasons to place a dining table in the living room:

  • A dining table in the living room can double as a work-from-home desk.
  • Choose a smaller round table or square table to save on space and act as a display table for items when not in used to dine.
  • Place a dining table behind the couch to serve as a console table when not eating.

Let's look at some elegantly executed examples of dining tables placed in a living room that utilize the space well and are also visually appealing.

Read more: Where to Place a Dining Table

Across The Couch Opposite The Coffee Table

Stylish grey chairs at dining table covered with long table, Can You Put A Dining Table In The Living Room?

Keep light and refreshing ambiance with a light grey couch peppered with bright pumpkin, rust, and light tan throw cushions. Note how the dining area connects to the living space because of the grey chairs and the rust-orange tablecloth.

There is plenty of light in this room to keep all of the elements feeling clean, inviting, and comfortable, complemented by the neutral, sheer white curtain. The legs of the dining chairs match the coffee table with a similar color of wood and aesthetic. Also, notice the orange magazine rack at the corner, which has an updated vintage look

Off To The Side Of the Couch and Coffee Table

Multifunctional living room interior

Rose is the main color that helps unite the light grey couch, contemporary coffee table, and dining table in this room. The soft, pastel green chairs are a wonderful complement to the soft rose upholstered chairs, pink=colored flowers on the tables, accent cushions on the sofa, and the curtains.

A touch of monochrome via the black and white chevron and striped patterns add depth and visual interest to the room, providing another focal point that ties everything together.

Tucked Behind The Sofa

Take a look at this modern, semi-industrial living room combo with a dining console table at the sofa's back. Note how the couch's metallic accents feed into the narrow dining table's metal legs and the rich contrast created between the fabric sofa, the wooden end table, and the wooden chairs.

There is a nice mix of traditional elements via the couch, the smooth glass coffee table, and the rustic, unfinished look of the wooden side table and dining chairs. Everything looks clean, minimalist yet feels structured and keeps the room open.

Paired With Couch As Seating

Bring together the best of both worlds when you place a sofa or loveseat with a classic, round dining table. Instead of relying on dining tables alone, you get a more generous, soft form of seating that begs you to sink in and relax while enjoying coffee, breakfast, and conversation. Notice how the placemats, sofa, and throw cushions in the chair all share the same color family.

The soft, barely pink wall treatment helps reflect light and complements the mostly blue and white color scheme well. The basket-style chair backs are in a bright white and play off the white accents in the sofa the framed artwork.

Can You Use A Sofa At A Dining Table?

Create an inviting and relaxing atmosphere at the dining table when you use a couch instead of traditional chairs for seating. Whether you love to entertain guests for dinner or you want to maximize a smaller space, a sofa is an excellent idea.

A couch provides a plush and versatile form of seating for guests without sitting too low or too high. So, you can stretch out or enjoy intimate conversation after a good meal or sit more comfortably for afternoon brunch with friends.

Choose a  couch or sofa for seating in a larger room, or select a stylish loveseat or settee for smaller rooms. Make sure you select a piece of furniture that is preferably made with easy-to-clean, wipeable material, and you may want to exclude armrests. Don't forget to include throw cushions to help prop up guests, add a layer of comfort, and create visual interest.

How Do You Decorate Open Concept Living And Dining Room?

Scandinavian style living and dining room with wooden table and parquet floor

Open layouts, where a home combines the living room and dining room, are modern and common in newer homes and small apartments. If you want to create a visually harmonious and balanced space, it is wise to review what type of furniture and colors you will use to designate the living room from the dining room visually.

Choose a color palette or aesthetic you wish to follow for both your living and dining furnishings, whether it is contemporary, mid-century, vintage, or an eclectic Bohemian style. You will want the pieces selected for your living and dining area to complement one another and not sharply contrast or overwhelm the other.

If all of the pieces are the same color family or share a similar style, it will make the room visually flow better and makes the room feel organized, spacious, and put together.

How Do You Match Furniture With Living Room And Dining?

There is nothing wrong with matching the furniture in the living room to the dining room's furnishings. In fact, when you have furniture that matches, it makes a home appear more expensive and is visually interesting.

Keep the furniture in both rooms within the same color family and style. However, add a few select patterns via area rugs, throw cushions, upholstery, wall art, or other decor to each space. You want patterns that complement one another but still stand alone to visually designating the living room from the dining room.

Read more: Should Living Room Furniture Match Dining Room Furniture?

In Closing

Adding a dining room table to a living room makes perfect sense if you have a small apartment or a modern, combination living room and dining room.

Not only can a dining room table be used as an extra side table to display plants, art, books, or miscellaneous items, but it is a place to gather for meals and conversation. A dining table is a versatile and practical piece of furniture that can be used as a beautiful focal point in a living room and not solely for eating.

Before you leave, check out the following articles related to dining tables:

The Ideal Dining Table Height

11 Awesome Dining Room Decorating Ideas