How to Design a Dining Room around Kids

To me, good design is an answer to a problem. The only place for dining in our house is our kitchen- so we’re dealing with a small space. The other issue is that my son, Don, is still young and so keeping him happy and at the table eating is tricky. Luckily, we found some solutions for both of these so I thought I’d share how to design a dining room around kids.

how to design a dining room around kids

So how do you design a dining space that’s both kid-friendly AND nice looking for the parents? My number one tip is to make a comfortable place for your kids to sit. At restaurants I’d pay attention to where my son always wanted to sit- surprise, it was a booth.

So I designed his seat at home to be similar- he has a bunch seat with padding on the wall that’s easy to clean and looks amazing too! I love the bench because there’s enough space so he can get his wiggles out, but is still are at the table with the family. Plus, I love having a bench for the storage underneath!

Always cover the cushion on a bench in a wipeable leather or pleather so that stains can be easily cleaned off (I still need to do this).

For my seat backs, I used these wall panels. I got one box of the 30″ in cream leatherette white. It was nice because they installed to the wall really easily. This would be a quick DIY though!

chair / sconces / banquette upholstered wall pieces / bench / rug / table

what is the ideal dining room setup?

I’ve always loved tables with leaves that can expand as you have company. Personally, round tables are what I gravitate to both in terms of design and how they lend themselves to intimate conversations. Just go smaller if you need to seat more people! No one is left out and it feels cozy- perfect for meals!

what type of chairs to use for young kids?

Transitioning from a high chair to a child being free can be really tough since most kids will want to run free and not finish their meals (ask me how I know 😉 ). If possible, give your child a cushioned seat so it’s cozy. If they’re comfortable, they’ll stay sitting in one spot longer.

When furnishing dining rooms for families with young kids, definitely keep in mind the material on the seat cushions. Light colored linen fabric is SO hard to keep clean when it’s untreated. Look for items that you can quickly wipe up. I love white so I always go for white leather or pleather.

Here are a few faux leather or stain resistant upholstered dining chairs-

Even if your dining chair or bench cane with something that’s hard to clean, they are super easy to reupholster in a kid friendly material!

what are some lighting tricks that make a dining room more appealing to linger in?

I like to put the dining room light on a dimmer so you can adjust it as the light changes. I have plug-in sconces on the wall because there was no overhead light for the dining room. Those are nice because they swivel and you can direct the light where you want. Plus, you don’t have to have an electrician to install!

how do you practically decorate a dining room without sacrificing style?

Make sure every surface is easily wipeable. I have a stone table top and I’m not worried about getting anything on it because I know it’s so easy to clean. We paint, bake, and craft there without worries. Avoid tables with grooves in them where crumbs can land. Stay away from black tables as they show dust and scratches easily.

is a rug a good idea in a dining room?

I love a rug in a dining room because it softens the space. Usually in a dining room, everything is hard- wood chairs and table, maybe a buffet or countertop. A rug is like giving a room a big hug- it pulls the table and chairs together to make them feel more inviting. It says “come sit here, you’re welcome.”

Plus it’s just nice to have a soft place for your feet. When I’m choosing a rug for under a table I select the material first- a wool or cotton rug is my favorite since they’re easy to clean while still being soft. If you have a really messy kid, go for polypropylene.

Next, you’re going to want to choose the color- I suggest a rug with some pattern that has a little brown or beige or gray that’ll help hide any dirt or spills. Of course you’ll want something that’s your style, but function is definitely most important in a dining room. (p.s. stay tuned for an upcoming post with a BUNCH of tips for picking out a rug).

how to avoid clutter that seems to end up in a dining room

Dining areas- especially kitchen islands can be clutter central! What I suggest is to think about the items that are landing on the table/counter top and ask yourself why? Find a designated spot for each item. If you’re in a pinch, grab a tray to corral all the clutter to one spot so it’s easier to relax and enjoy meals together.

how to keep dogs happy in the kitchen

Our dogs are in our kitchen whenever we are (undoubtably hoping for a snack). So having a cozy spot for them is important to us too!

We used to have a tattered old dog bed in here, but decided that it was time for a change! Enter, the CUTEST dog bed rom Home Pop!

The dog bed is elevated on beautiful legs and the (stain resistant) fabric has the cutest pattern- French bulldogs and the Eiffel Tower!

Our dogs love their new bed! Though Lucy, the red head, usually lays in it. And looks adorable 😉

Alright! So there you have it! How to design a dining room around kids. And you might as well add a pet bed while you’re at it! So I want to hear from you- how did you make transitioning a kid from a high chair to the table less painful through design? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comment section!

This post contains some affiliate links for your convenience. Click here to read my full disclosure policy. Thank you to Home Pop for sponsoring this post!

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