How to plan your dining area

You and your family probably spend a lot of time in your dining area. And not just for meals. From tables and chairs to storage, lighting and more, here are some top tips to help you get your dining area just the way you want it.

A wooden SKOGSTA dining table and matching SKOGSTA chairs stand in a dining room in front of green-painted IVAR cabinets.

How to choose a dining table

First, how big a table should you get? Think about how many people you need to seat and how big your space is. An extendable table can be very handy, as it takes up less space when it’s not extended. What will happen at the table? Everyday and festive meals, studying, paying bills, jigsaws? Choose a material that will work for you and your family for years to come.

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A wooden SKOGSTA dining table and six SKOGSTA chairs stand in a dining room under two SKURUP pendant lamps.

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Shapes, styles and matching chairs

Round, square, rectangular or oval? Think about the size and shape of your room. What style do you like? We have a wide range to choose from. We even have lots of dining sets of matching tables and chairs that give you an easy way to a coordinated look.

Folding chairs, an IBBARBO stool and two VIHALS chairs stand at an extendable table underneath a white ZEBRASÄV pendant lamp.

A white DOCKSTA table is set with plates, bowls and FÖRNUFT cutlery on SOARÉ place mats made from water hyacinths.

A round brown beech/veneer SKANSNÄS extendable table and some brown beech SKANSNÄS chairs stand in a dining room.

A brown stained oak veneer MÖRBYLÅNGA table and some anthracite ODGER chairs stand in a dining room.

Two grey-brown KLIMPFJÄLL benches and some black NORRARYD chairs stand at a grey-brown KLIMPFJÄLL dining table.

Finding the best chairs for you

Upholstered or non-upholstered chairs? Seating is all about your style and making sure everyone is comfortable. So why not find your own mix? Washable covers keep things fresh, new ones let you update the look. A bench or stools stretch space at the table. And foldable or stackable chairs save space when not in use.

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Some wooden SKOGSTA chairs and a black junior chair stand at a wooden SKOGSTA dining table in a dining room.

Two dark beige KRYLBO chairs stand at a white EKEDALEN extendable table on a striped flatwoven STOCKHOLM rug.

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The right chairs for kids, too

Meals and activities at the table are easier for everyone when the kids can sit comfortably, too. A junior chair is perfect when they’re too big for a highchair but not big enough for a regular chair.

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A black AGAM junior chair stands at a SKOGSTA dining table which has a roll of art paper on top of it.

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Frame your dining area with a rug

Why not complete your dining spot with a rug? It’ll add a sense of warmth and help dampen noise. Flatwoven rugs make moving chairs in and out a lot smoother, plus they’re easier to vacuum.

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Two LISABO tables in ash veneer and several LISABO chairs in ash are standing on a STOCKHOLM rug in black and off-white.

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Lighting to help you find the salt and set the mood

A pendant, or two if your table is big, is a great choice. You can see everything on the table and the other people, plus you get a cosy room within a room feeling. If you can dim the bulbs, you can get the right light and atmosphere for different activities, from setting the table to romantic dinners.

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Video: A white ZEBRASÄV pendant lamp hangs over a table with food on it. The light brightens and the food is replaced with a laptop.

A large MÖRBYLÅNGA table and some chairs stand under two HÖGVIND pendant lamps with 3 lamps in a dining room.

Two NYMÅNE LED pendant lamps hang over a brown STRANDTORP extendable table and some black NORDVIKEN chairs.

A BÄCKNATE pendant lamp hangs above a black SANDSBERG table and three black ADDE chairs standing next to a sofa.

Two ANKARSPEL pendant lamps hang above a table with books and vases on it, including a vase with decorative foliage in it.

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Getting the storage you need

Daily meals, dinner parties, paying the bills… there are lots of different activities that happen at your dining table, so you probably have a lot to store. Closed storage, like a cabinet or a sideboard, lets you hide things that you need but don’t want to look at all the time. We’ve painted the IVAR cabinets here to match the green wall. Open storage, like a shelf, gives you an instant overview and super easy access. Plus you can display more decorative things on them if you want. And why not go for a glass-door cabinet if you want to show off your favourite sallad bowls and keep them dust-free?

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Green-painted IVAR cabinets are attached to a wall underneath an IVAR shelving unit on the wall near a window.

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Decorative touches to boost your dining area

Decorating your dining area helps make it more personal and adds to the atmosphere. A dining table makes a great place for some fresh flowers in a vase, for example. They’ll cheer up your whole room. Or why not put some art up on the wall? There are lots of possibilities!

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