Struggling with empty spaces in your dining room? Don’t worry. We’ve got you covered!
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There are several ways to fill space in your dining room. The most common methods include:
- Adding artwork
- Expanding the size of your dining room table
- Adding a china cabinet
- Adding a carpet
- Painting the room
Ready to transform your space? Scroll down to learn more about these five awesome ideas!
Does Your Dining Room Need To Be Full?

A dining room isn’t one of the rooms in your home that must be filled.
Dining rooms are seen as a primary space for entertaining, so you should have enough space for people to move around, display delicious foods, and lounge about.
How Much Space Do You Need For A Dining Room?
This depends on how many people you want to seat and the table’s total size. Ideally, you will have at least 36- to 48-inches of clearance space for a dining room table.
This means that you should have the following minimums for each family size:
- Small families (2-4 people): Room at least 11 feet on each side for a 3×3-foot table.
- Medium families (4-6 people): Aim for a room size of 10.5×13 feet to comfortably accommodate a 2.5×5-foot rectangular table or a 4-foot diameter circular table.
- Large families (8-10 people): For optimal comfort, the dining area should be 12.5×18 feet to host a spacious 4.5×10-foot table.
Are Dining Room Setups Going Out Of Style?

If you don’t have enough room for a legit dining room, don’t panic quite yet.
Nowadays, most Americans are now preferring to eat in their kitchens or living rooms near the TV. This subtle shift highlights how our society is becoming more casual as a whole.
While dining rooms are still fairly popular, they’re not the necessity they once were. With that said, a breakfast nook or a larger living room is often more than enough for typical family use.
Filling Empty Space In Your Dining Room
If there’s one thing that happens to be visually jarring, it’s a dining room that is too large for the table that it contains. Thankfully, there are several ways to make your dining room feel less empty.
To make things easier, we parsed things out by the type of space you are furnishing.
How Should You Fill Up The Floor Space In A Larger Dining Room?
The easiest way to fill up floor space is to upgrade the size of your dining room table.
By having a larger table, you get a better focal point for your room, ensure your guests have a comfortable place and balance your room size. Besides, a large dining room table is a status symbol.
Another thing you can do to “fill up” your dining room is to add a carpet. Carpeting helps add a splash of color to any room and can act as a way of making the room look slightly smaller.
Choosing a patterned carpet will tie your room together and also emphasize your home’s architecture.
A popular way to fill dining room space is by adding a china cabinet.
Display cabinets store excess glassware and offer a place for visitors to set their wine bottles if the table is full. These cabinets are especially effective when placed in a corner.
Speaking of display cabinetry, there’s another go-to option for people who want to add fullness to their dining rooms we haven’t discussed yet—buffet tables.
As the name suggests, these tables are located on the outskirts of your room, ideal for placing dishes that don’t quite fit on the dining table. They’re wonderful for entertaining!

Click here to get this buffet table from Amazon.
Finally, adding some plants is another good way to boost your dining room’s appearance while also giving it a more filled-in look.
Houseplants elevate the room’s ambiance, give it a fresher appearance, and help mitigate food odors. A ficus tree would be a great pick for a dining room.
How Do You Fill A Large Empty Wall Space In The Dining Room?
There are a couple of easy ways to fill empty wall space in your dining room. One of the best (and fastest) ways to improve empty wall space is with some artwork.
A single piece can make a bold statement, but if you prefer more, match your dining room’s art to the style of your living room.
For maximum impact, consider a series of art prints that create a focal point and add a rustic splash of color.
Of course, if artwork isn’t your style, you can make your room feel cozier by painting the walls a dark color. This can effectively “shrink” the room’s appearance. Then again; so can darker patterned wallpaper.
If you love the idea of accessorizing your walls but don’t want something as traditional as wallpaper or painting, another option would be to use 3D vinyl wall decals to create a mural.
This is an excellent way to make a statement wall in your dining room without having to splurge too much.
Another option that you could pursue deals with statement lighting.
Dining rooms are a great place to add ambient lighting, and if done right, it can bolster your home’s vibe beautifully.
Wall sconces area great way to deck your walls without making your dining room look too cluttered.
If you are already struggling with a dining room that looks too spacious, a mirror will not help you.
Mirrors are famous for opening up a home and adding additional “faux space.” If you’re trying to fill in your room, they’re the last thing you should deal with.
If you aren’t sure what to do with your dining room, check out our list of dining room wall decor ideas.
How Do You Fill Up Extra Table Space In Your Dining Room?
Having an unusually large dining table for your family can make dinner feel sparse or unfriendly. Thankfully, filling the extra space isn’t a big issue, and centerpieces are a perfect choice.
When it comes to centerpieces, you can always create a pretty one through your own DIY efforts. However, many of us don’t have time for that.
That’s why buying a cozy-looking, prefabricated option tends to work well with so many of us. Decorative candle holders on a tray are one of the most popular go-to’s for year-round elegance.
Conclusion
When it comes to filling your dining room, there are many ways to do it. Many people start by getting a larger dining table and adding artwork to the walls.
Of course, that doesn’t have to be what you do. If you’re at a crossroads when it comes to your home design, it’s okay to reach out for help or continue to browse decoration ideas.
It’s all about finding the right vibe for your life. After all, it would be best if you always aimed to make your dining room a tasteful place in your eyes.