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Small Space Solutions: Seattle Apartment Dining Area

by | Aug 21, 2017 | Courtney, Decorating Inspiration, Rental

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Small space solutions, tips and inspiration.
Plus, how to fit a dining area into a small apartment!

Small Space Solutions: Seattle Apartment Dining Area

This small space solutions post is in partnership with World Market

If you love small spaces or happen to live in one, you know it can sometimes be challenging to fit everything you need into the little space you have available. And when one small room has to serve many functions, you really have to do some creative planning.

Speaking of small spaces, you might recall that my daughter Courtney recently moved into her very first apartment. It’s looking so adorable! Today we thought we’d give you a peek at how it’s coming along. You’ll see how she fit a dining area into her living area and get some of her helpful small space solutions and tips.

Small Space Solutions: Seattle Apartment Dining Area

Hi friends, it’s Courtney here. I’ve been having so much fun living in (and decorating!) my new apartment. Little by little I’ve been getting more settled and figuring out the best way to maximize every square inch. Even though I know it’s a small space compared to many apartments and homes, to me it actually feels pretty spacious.

After living in a teeny bedroom for the past several years, it’s so fun to not only have a kitchen, but a living room, a home office and a guest room, too.

Even if they are technically all one in the same space.

Small Space Solutions: Seattle Apartment Dining Area

I was so excited about my first place that I bought my dining room table months before I started looking for an apartment. My mom actually used it as an end table next to her sofa until I was ready to move in (she loved it so much that I was a little worried she might not give it back, ha!).

It might have been a little risky to buy something like a dining table without knowing if I’d have room for it, except I knew this small table would work almost anywhere.

Small space tip: Invest in flexible furniture.

Not only can a table like this serve as a beautiful side table, it’s a perfect small dining table for up to four guests! It also serves as extra prep area in the kitchen and a crafting area for me, so it’s a hardworking surface!

Small Space Solutions: Seattle Apartment Dining Area

I use this dining table everyday to eat or work at. It’s been the perfect spot for having friends over to visit! Who says you have to have a separate dining room to gather around a table?

Small Space Solutions: Seattle Apartment Dining Area

Small Space Solutions: Seattle Apartment Dining Area

My second purchase after the table was this set of cute Windsor chairs. I had my eye on these forever! They work perfectly around the dining table, but can also be pulled up for guests in the living area or set up at a desk.

Small Space Solutions: Seattle Apartment Dining Area

The round shape of the table and rounded back on the chairs really help maximize the small space. No sharp corners make traffic flow around the table more comfortable with breathing room to spare, too.

Small space tip: Consider the appropriate shape and scale for furniture pieces to maximize both style and space!

Small Space Solutions: Seattle Apartment Dining Area

My mom talks a lot about the importance of creating ambience and setting a cozy mood with lighting. She’s right, new lighting has already made such a difference in warming up my living area. Until this past week I actually didn’t have any lamps in my living / dining area. My apartment felt really dark at night, so I was excited to get my very first floor lamp! It’s been a game changer, or “mood changer.”

Small Space Solutions: Seattle Apartment Dining Area

The floor lamp brings a nice night time glow I can enjoy from the eating area, too.

Small Space Solutions: Seattle Apartment Dining Area

Small space tip: Floor lamps not only warm up a small room, but they take up very little floor space!

Small Space Solutions: Seattle Apartment Dining AreaMarble Mugs / Table / Chairs

Small Space Solutions: Seattle Apartment Dining Area

Small Space Solutions: Seattle Apartment Dining Area

I’m also having fun collecting dishes and table accessories I love. Even though I really only have a few cups, plates and bowls so far, I can say that I love each and every thing in my cabinets. I’d rather have five cups I love and use than a cabinet overflowing with stuff I don’t really enjoy!

Small space tip: Only keep and acquire things you need and love. Strive for less stuff, more style.

These dishes can be found at World Market (sources linked at the end of the post).

Small Space Solutions: Seattle Apartment Dining Area

Small Space Solutions: Seattle Apartment Dining AreaMarble Canister

Small Space Solutions: Seattle Apartment Dining Area

Small Space Solutions: Seattle Apartment Dining Area

Another really cool thing about this table for a small space is it has two drop leaf sides! It can be set flush against a window, wall or sofa to be even more space-efficient.

Small Space Solutions: Seattle Apartment Dining Area

Small space tip: Drop leaf and nesting style tables maximize the available space.

Small Space Solutions: Seattle Apartment Dining Area

Small Space Solutions: Seattle Apartment Dining Area

You might recognize this pretty ottoman. My mom had it in her home for years and I always loved it. Lucky me, she brought it over to me when I moved in! I discovered that I love having an ottoman as a coffee table. It really softens the feel of the room and it has come in handy as an extra place to sit, too!

Small Space Solutions: Seattle Apartment Dining Area

Small space tip: Ottomans can be used both as a coffee table and extra seating in a small space. Add a tray as a hard surface for beverages.

Small Space Solutions: Seattle Apartment Dining Area

Small Space Solutions: Seattle Apartment Dining Area

Small Space Solutions: Seattle Apartment Dining Area

(me with my sister, Kylee!)

Small Space Solutions: Seattle Apartment Dining Area  Small Space Solutions: Seattle Apartment Dining Area

Small Space Solutions: Seattle Apartment Dining Area

I am so happy with how this room is coming together!

Thank you for stopping by. I promise to be back soon with more from my apartment. I already have plans for a few additions to this space :).

>> Come follow me on Instagram (and Instagram stories) for more updates here! <<

PS. My mom made some fun changes in her house that she will show you soon, too. I love how she often repurposes and uses things she already has, but can make a room feel like a totally different space. It inspires me!

Small Space Solutions: Seattle Apartment Dining Area

Shop for dining room furniture here.
Find a small space guide from World Market here.
Shop for dishes and dining room accessories here.

I partnered with World Market on some of the sources in this post.

Shop sources below and find more decor from my home in my shop here.

Small Space Solutions: Seattle Apartment Dining Area

Sources:

White Bowls

Marbled Mugs

Dining Table

Dining Chairs

White Handled Crock

White Glass Hobnail Cups

Red Striped Towels

Gray & White Marble Canister

Tufted Ottoman

Gold Mirrored Tray

Floor Lamp

31 Comments

  1. Eric

    When I saw that first photo of your table I wondered “is it extendable or does it have drop leaves?” Then as I went through the post I found out. You’ve done a great job on the place so far. The Design Apple doesn’t fall far from the tree!

  2. Ashley Urke | Domestic Fashionista

    The apartment is coming together beautifully! That dining table is absolutely perfect! And courtney, I love that dress on you!

    • Courtney Michaels

      Aw, thank you so much Ashley! You’re the sweetest!

  3. Deanna Rabe

    With the right furniture you can live large in a small space! Your apartment looks great!

  4. Sallie

    Looks GREAT, Courtney! Enjoy your space!!

  5. Lisa Mothersead

    It’s super cute!! Love your style and colors and all that light that pours in your home. Enjoy!

  6. tammy

    Love your small space apartment!!!

  7. Chris

    Great use of the small space in your apartment. I like the ottoman as well. Having a dual purpose as a coffee table and extra seating makes tons of sense. Enjoy your decorating.

  8. Melinda

    I love it! What an adorable space you have made!!

  9. Ebru

    hi, this looks lovely and evolving daybyday so nicely ;) and Jack’a blue ottoman so nostalgic :) have a nice time in your new first nest ;)

  10. Kay

    Please. That table + those chairs! When I realized it was a drop leaf, I thought to myself, OF COURSE it is! So sweet! TY for sharing.

  11. Joanne H

    Love love what you have done so cute. One question is that Jack’s former ottoman?? And does he yet know its missing LOL.

    • Courtney Michaels

      Hahaha. YES it is! He probably hasn’t caught on that it’s missing yet but I’m sure he’d be excited to see it if he came to visit. He has his leather ottoman at his house though and I think that might be his real fave :)

  12. Linda Grubbs

    Very sweet apartment!! It seems like a HAPPY space. :) Thanks for sharing with us.

    • Courtney Michaels

      Aw I love that, it is a happy space!! Thank you so much!

  13. Ileana

    Great job!

    Do you mind sharing where the whale print is from?

    • Courtney Michaels

      Thank you!! It was a gift from a friend but I believe this is the same one! >> http://bit.ly/2vmr9kB … I also put more sources in my shop theinspiredroom.net/shop-courtneys-favorites <3

  14. Kari

    Looks Great!

    Where is the kitchen backspash from?

  15. Lorie Underwood

    Beautiful.. Where did you get the Whale print?

    • Melissa @ The Inspired Room

      Thank you!! The whale print was a gift from a friend! I just added it to my shop theinspiredroom.net/shop-courtneys-favorites and here’s a direct link to the print! >> http://bit.ly/2vmr9kB

  16. Mary

    You are so adorable, Courtney, as is your apartment!! I love how cozy it feels! You have great taste and style, just like your momma!!! :)

  17. Sarah S

    Love your design style! Do you have a link for the gold metal rack on the wall in your kitchen? IT would be a great addition to my laundry/mud room, thanks!!

    • Courtney Michaels

      Thank you!! Yes it’s from Target! Here’s a direct link >> http://bit.ly/2usIWG7 and there are more sources at theinspiredroom.net/shop-courtneys-favorites :)

 

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