The Genius Way Nate Berkus And Jeremiah Brent Turn A Sectional Sofa Into A Casual Dining Table

Designing your home with an open floor plan is not always simple, but it does leave plenty of room to get creative. Married interior design experts Nate Berkus and Jeremiah Brent showcased just how creative you can get in a YouTube video for Real Simple, illustrating how to zone a large, open floor plan to function as a family gathering and dining space. One of the niftiest elements is found in the dining room area, which ditches cookie-cutter ideas of what a dining room needs. Instead of including a large table with some chairs, Berkus and Brent utilize a circular pedestal table and an L-shaped sectional. 

Regarding the unconventional dining area, Berkus says, "Jeremiah had the amazing idea of using a sectional and a smaller-scale dining room table with some chairs pulled up on that side of the room so that you could entertain, and you can sit and have breakfast, or a family of four or six could comfortably sit around the table, but it didn't look like the dining room zone." The informal but cozy use of a sofa instead of dining chairs is comfortable and inviting, provides a unique twist, and prevents the space from becoming too crowded with furniture. 

A sectional sofa at the dining table is reminiscent of banquettes or custom bench seating, a popular dining room trend that has made its way from restaurants to residential homes. However, banquettes often require custom carpentry to make them fit the space, and you're limited to where you can put them in your home — usually flush against a wall. On the other hand, a sectional can go wherever you need it to, making it ideal for open floor plans. Think of it as a low-maintenance take on the banquette. We also love that the dining sectional is more comfortable than a hard-structured chair or stool, making it a great place to curl up with a book or play board games. And the low profile of the sofa keeps the room open without feeling cluttered, even if it's dead center. 

Still on the fence about swapping out your dining table and chairs for a couch and small table? Brent offers the advice, "Break the rules. I think everybody thinks that a dining room needs to look exactly like ... it does on Pinterest. And the truth is, put a sectional in there and a table if it suits your family, and the way you entertain, and the way you live your life."

Sectionals can be expensive, so if you're trying to stay under budget, consider buying secondhand through a thrift store or by browsing classifieds such as Facebook Marketplace. If you can find one in your price range, you can decorate it with affordable throw pillows to give it that custom look. And because you're creating a less traditional dining room, feel free to use eclectic, mismatched dining chairs or upcycle some old ones with a fresh coat of paint in a bold color. 

Of course, there are some other practical matters to consider. One such factor is the height of your table; you do not want to feel like you have to lean forward or sit up completely straight to reach its surface. Thus, be sure the table height is suitable for your seating options. Another major factor is whether you and your sofa can deal with spills; after all, this is a couch you'll be dining at. Be sure to select a sectional with stain and water-resistant fabric, and always have upholstery stain remover on hand (Folex is one that TikTok swears by). For preventative care, give the sofa a few coats of Scotchguard to repel food and drink spills more effectively.