Arrange a small seating area adjacent to the dining table in a large or open-concept dining space. Position the sofa in a corner or against a wall with a side table that is perfect for enjoying cocktails and appetizers before dinner. This layout creates a smooth transition to the dining table for dinner.
Add a coffee table in front of a sofa to create a child-size dining area. The table will be close enough to the adults but still allow for a separate area for young guests or family members.
Place a height-adjustable table in a smaller space for special occasions or dinner parties. Kitchens in smaller homes, such as a condo or apartment, often incorporate counter seating at a peninsula or island and a designated dining area is not always needed. Keep the table at 18 to 20 inches to use as a coffee table in front of a sofa for everyday use; raise it to 30 inches for an instant dining table.
Place a small-scale sofa on one side of a dining table instead of dining chairs. Similar to a dining bench, a sofa can provide comfortable seating at a dining room table. Use this idea in a more casual setting; it suits an open-concept space as opposed to a traditional dining room.