Should I get rid of our dining table and use just the kitchen island?

[dottypencilcase]

We're in a small and narrow terrace with the downstairs being open plan (living room to the front, dining room at the back of the house and the kitchen on the side). The dining table takes up so much space despite being described as 'compact' for small living spaces. We have a peninsula kitchen island which we never use and I'm wondering if I should get rid of the dining table altogether to free up space. Is this a good idea? We use the dining table a lot and my worry is that we'd miss the dining table/waste the space frees up by dumping rubbish there instead. Fwiw, we use our dining table A LOT. What would you do?

I'd start by keeping the dining table but using the island instead. For a month. If it's workable then I'd lose the dining table. You might find though that you hate it and prefer the dining table. You could get a smaller one, a drop leaf for example so it takes up much less space.

Don’t get rid of your dining table! You use it a lot and family meal time is so important.

Do you want to share layout pic?

Could you get rid of the island instead?

Old floor plan (when the living and dining room were separate) attached. We've a long bookcase against one wall. A dining table in the middle currently gives us just enough space to shimmy around the table to get to the other side of the room.

Another idea could be to have a dining 'table' attached to the peninsula island? Photo example attached.

What is it you want to do with the space instead? It it that it's awkward to walk around or more that you would like another area for comfy seating?

If it's the latter then maybe you could look at alternatives like a table with more comfortable benches that would go in a corner like this so there's more versatility to the space
https://www.dunelm.com/product/montreal-corner-faux-leather-dining-bench-set-grey-1000234101?defaultSkuId=30868842&srsltid=AfmBOor0gGH77vQ_XjqPMtnJ0mUb0y7ZC7NKcaEk76Xta-z4_jidqltNy8U

Or if you need more storage would wall mounted cupboards or something tall and slim.

If you use it a lot then it seems like you would miss it.

It houses the dishwasher and an additional base unit which we rely on heavily for storage so I don't think we can.

Could you get a narrower table?
Or do away with the bookshelves?

What do you use the unnamed room for?

You've created a corridor

I'd put in corner bench seating that backs onto the peninsula. Bench takes up less floor space than chairs. So you'd have chairs only on the'outer' edge of the table

That way you can use that dead space

We have a peninsula and use it as as a 'serving hatch' to the dining bit so it gets a lot of use

The current table is 160cm x 80cm and looks odd because it's so small!

I would rehouse the bookcase then a bench along the wall.

It's hard to visualise without an up to date floorplan tbh.

Photo of current dining room attached except we've got rid of the dressers and replaced them with a built in bookcase in walnut wood which fills the entirety of the back wall (I know- I regret my choice massively)!

Sorry I posted before the floor plan.

Would your table not be better the other way round at the end with the doors? So it's less of an obstacle?

That looks fine!

Get one of https://www.wilko.com/en-uk/seconique-santos-butterfly-4-seater-dining-set-slate-grey-distressed-waxed-pine/p/0612792?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiAxaCvBhBaEiwAvsLmWOQEM3bvsJ_7Df7nbeGDdvYECMGo6rsC0PAQY5B9WSkqBEjsNmKXqBoCZM8QAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

I think this is my only option. But I have young DCs who are incredibly fidgety at mealtimes so would constantly be filled with dread that they may fall off the high island chairs! But we'd have the space then for them to run in and out of the different areas, dance if they wanted to and play with their toys on the floor which the can't currently do.

If you use the table a lot surely you need it. It's that simple. If you got rid of it you'd miss it. It's good to have a family table to all sit up together especially when kids are small. My Aunty used to have a table that folded down against the wall and when she wanted to use it she pulled the table leg around and pulled up the table top. The thing is though it was almost always up because she used it a lot. What do you need the extra space for?

We had the same table growing up!

Need the space for young DC to play and move around freely.

What do you want the space for? I’d keep the table but maybe I’m just not creative enough to know what I’d do with a fairly empty room. Mine used to play at the table a lot, and make forts with it etc. but we never encourage running inside and they dance in the living room.

I think without your table you'll end up with even more of a corridor effect. I like it

Don't forget your kids will reach colouring in age and won't be at the running about stage forever. They'll appreciate it then.

If the peninsula already has a dishwasher and cupboards, can you actually get 5 people around it (assuming from the diningroom photo there are 5 of you - change the number if required).

Can you swing the table round, and maybe even put the unused end far too close to the peninsula, to free up a bit of floorspace? Or half the amount of dressers you have to widen the room.

I'd keep the table, if you can find a way to make it work.

Move it against the radiator for now.

A round table in the corner by the window could work better

I really don’t understand what the problem is

A table is so important. Much nicer to sit round. You could get a small square one where you sit on each side, this could go to the side a bit . Maybe an extendable one