Design tips to create a spacious living cum dining area

Merino Laminates, October 24, 2024 Updated On : April 29, 2025

1. Have a uniform design language
2. Have ample closed storage
3. Use foldable or collapsible furniture where needed
4. Go partition free!
5. Ample natural and artificial lighting is a must

Today, we see many homes with living cum dining areas in order to combat the paucity of space and optimise the space in small homes. Separate living and dining areas are preferred by those who entertain a lot of formal guests. However, as the lifestyle of many young families is changing, most families lead a fast paced life with little room to entertain guests on a regular basis, and when they do, they prefer an open space that can be used to entertain their close friends and family without the need to segregate the spaces in public or semi-public.

You can have a spacious living room design by integrating the dining area into it, and when designed well, it can help you create an elegant space that is sophisticated and functional. Here are some living cum dining area design tips that will help you create the perfect space for you and your family:

1. Have a uniform design language

If you are looking at a compact living room design, with a dining area integrated into it, try to have the same design language in terms of the colours and themes applied. Use light colours or monochromatic themes for walls, floor and upholstery to create an impression of spaciousness and continuity in the space, thus making the space look large, airy and welcoming. Having breaks in the design or creating different themes or colour palettes can make your space look smaller and more cluttered.

2. Have ample closed storage

Small living room ideas are incomplete without the addition of storage as having ample storage around the house is essential in the present and times to come. However, open storage shelves can make the small space look more congested, hence it is advised to opt for closed or hidden storage in both the living and dining areas. You can have ottomans with hidden storage, or create a bay window dining nook with storage underneath. You can also add slim cabinets, chest of drawers or cutlery units to store dining essentials, home linens etc.

3. Use foldable or collapsible furniture where needed

If we are looking at a compact living room design, opt for collapsible or foldable furniture in order to make the room look larger and more spacious. From stackable stools that you can use to increase seating capacity to wall mounted dining tables that can be folded against the wall when not in use, you can choose from a wide range of space saving furniture that you can now find in the market. You can also create breakfast counters or use benches for seating as they can increase the dining capacity without taking much space.

4. Go partition free!

Opt for an open plan without any partitions or visual barriers to create a spacious living room design. While the dining and living area seamlessly flow into each other without any visual or physical barriers, the kitchen can be separated in order to hide away the clutter that can otherwise make the space look small and congested. You can either have a wall dividing the space or you can create fall cabinets and full length storage between your living cum dining area and the kitchen to create different zones in your home. You can use fluted laminates or unique stone textured laminates (Luvih Zeroprint | Premium Surfaces | Merino Laminates) to add more character to the space.

5. Ample natural and artificial lighting is a must

Lighting is one of the most crucial factors that can determine the outcome of your design. Be it a compact living room design, or a large living space, having the right lights and the combination of task, ambient and decorative lighting can help you create a space that is beautiful, functional and unique. You can define your space and add your personal touch by choosing from a wide range of lights available across different price ranges in the market today. Having chandeliers or pendant lights following a similar design, paired with focus lights and ample task lights across your living and dining space can create a harmonious effect, unifying the space and bringing them together. This is not just appeasing to the eye, but it also serves the purpose of having a well lit space. Along with this, you can use similar themed artwork, accent walls, wall panels or sculptures across the space to further create a common design language to enhance the aesthetics of your living cum dining area.

Merino Laminates ( https://www.merinolaminates.com/en/) offer over 500 designs to choose from, that you can use to create beautiful storage, accent walls and furniture finishes that are long lasting, durable and in the price range that suits you! We hope that these design tips help you make the most of your space, thus helping you bring to life your dream living space well within your means!