If your home doesn’t include a lot of square footage, one of the first things to be sacrificed is probably a formal dining room. These spaces are often seen as impractical because of the space they take up and the infrequency of use, but there’s still value in having a designated dining space, even if you don’t have an entire room set aside for that purpose. Here are a few tips for creating a workable dining area in a small space.

Utilize All Your Spaces.

If you don’t have a clearly designated dining area, it may be time to get creative. Evaluate the space in your kitchen and nearby living spaces to see where you might have room for a table and some chairs. Even if it’s just a small corner or doesn’t feel like a natural dining space, you have to work with the space provided. You can make it feel more separated from the other rooms by placing an area rug or some bookcases around the space.

Consider Your Daily Needs.

When creating a dining space, you could choose a large table for all of your family and friends who may or may not ever actually dine there. Or you could let the space feel more open by just going with a table big enough for the people who will actually eat there on a regular basis. Choosing smaller furniture can give you more space to actually move around in your home and it makes for a more personal dining experience.

Leave Room to Grow.

But this doesn’t mean you have to completely disregard occasional dinner guests. If possible, choose a table that leaves you with different size options, like those with leaves or convertible tables. That way your space doesn’t feel crowded on a daily basis but still allows for convenient entertaining options.

Work With What’s There

If you absolutely do not have any room for a dining room or kitchen table, you may have to simply use your kitchen bar or island as a dedicated eating space. To make it feel more like a dining area than simple counter space, integrate some features you’d normally include on a dining room table like placemats and a centerpiece. If you can’t enjoy an actual dining room, at least try and make it as close to the real thing as possible.

Formal dining rooms aren’t luxuries that everyone gets to enjoy. But no matter how small your home, you can always find a little space to carve out and make into a functional dining space that works for you.