Could you live without a dining table?

[87mum]

Could you live without a dining table?

Current set up is - round dining table in the living room with 4 chairs that take up a fair bit of space. It's quite compact, well the table is but the chairs don't fit store neatly under it.

We have a 6 year old with a 2nd on the way. Ideally we'd have a smaller dining table but I can't find anything that would be suitable/I like.

For those who got rid/don't have one, what do you do with your children at tea time? My 6 year old occasionally spills etc and we've always had one even though it's mostly used as a dumping ground/can be quite difficult to get into due to the location it's in.

We've tried rejigging the room but it's a weird shape and we are trying, again, to make the best of the situation.

All of you who don't have tables, where do you eat? If it is at a breakfast bar or similar then I get it. However if it is eating with a tray, or just plate on knees at sofa I don't think it is very practical. Okay for a sandwich but not for full roast with gravy surely.

I hate not sitting at a table for meals. Even in my first tiny flat, we had a small drop leaf with two chairs. It makes for a far more enjoyable dining experience and is really important with children. I even eat my lunchtime butty at the table (WFH).

https://www.ikea.com/gb/en/p/idanaes-drop-leaf-table-white-00487652/

this might be more compact? Can use with two chairs and against wall for breakfast and lunch and artwork, then pull out with extra stool for main meals?

So why are you asking if you've already made your mind up that nothing else will do other than a table?

Aye, it's not like they have tables in the lunch hall at school where they can also learn table manners 🤪

For those families who have no space at home for a dining or kitchen table, fear not your DC will learn all necessary manners at school where they eat with others! The world has not ended⚠️

Where would I put all my crap?

Our best arguments are had around the dining table. We don’t often eat together now (mostly just me here) as adult dc have moved out and Dh works away a lot but I eat at dining table.

A dining table is a necessity, unless you have a big kitchen and space to eat in there.
Without a table to sit and eat at you can't show your children how to eat together, and can't do craft,card games with them either.

You really can do those things without a table, we do everyday, as do millions of asians around the world.

We do games, puzzles and arts and crafts sat on the floor - wouldn't want to clutter up our dining table with that sort of thing. Although I am actually considering a second dining table for that sort of purpose...

I only know one household without a table so am curious to know where people without a table eat though - I can see there are various options and it would be interesting to know what people go for.

I think floor cushions around a coffee table could work

My Japanese friends are way bendier than the UK average! One even sits with her legs folded up on her office chair.

DH in particular wouldn't cope with sitting on the floor for more than 5 minutes.

We do have a table and I can easily manage to eat a full roast on the sofa, I use my trusty Emma Bridgewater tin tray with highish sides.

I've never heard such rot. You don't grow up to be some uncivilised animal when eating if you didn't eat at a dining table during childhood.

Personally I couldn't, even if I am on my own I would always eat my meal at the table .. maybe we are too formal but I have never had one of those 'pizza in front of the tv evenings' (not being a nob as I love pizza and eat it frequently but sat at a table). Very, very occasionally I might eat on the sofa with food on the coffee table - and only if I am home alone - but only if it is a sandwich or something like that .. I just find it so uncomfortable.

I am actually sat quite formally at the dining room table now having a mid morning coffee and mumsnetting 😆

Dinner every night at ours, plus it is a dumping ground, but we do have lots of room.

Look at either drop leaf, or drawer leaf (where the extra table leaves fit under and can be pulled out).

You can pick up an old drawer leaf one for under £50 if you keep your eye on local auctions.

We have a dining room complete with table and chairs but we eat in the kitchen 95% of the time. Dining room door is closed and heating turned off in there currently.

Its not essential, we have no room for a table and chairs in the flat so we eat around the coffee table. My kids have learnt table manners just fine without being on chairs.
Our coffee table has little drawers in the sides which I think are designed for board game pieces but we keep a tablecloth and dinner cutlery in there.

We do have a fold out side table that we use when the dcs grandparent comes around as they sit on a chair for meals with us. When they are not here, the table goes behind the door.

Ultimately you might not need a full dining table but it's clear from this thread that you do need some sort of large flat surface. A folding dining table would probably take the least space.

We have a table in the kitchen and one in the living room. Honestly the living room one isn't used often but the kitchen one I use every day.

Sorry if I've missed something obvious, but... Where will you all eat? You asked what to do with kids at tea time, but surely you also need the table?

Have never owned one and haven't got the space for one anyway😁

But presumably in the kitchen you don't all stand up with your plates. You eat at a table? Or maybe a breakfast bar? So it's really not the same thing as "not using a dining table".

I'm sorry I misunderstood the first option as
'get rid, kids will be fine'
As get rid of the kids. They will be fine. Keep the table.

Where would I sort and fold my laundry? 🧐

Personally no-but I know a lot of people who do.

We have one but we never use it. No DC here so we just eat off our laps on the sofa.