By Gail Marsh
Remember the days when teens tried to see how many people could fit inside a phone booth? (Gosh! Do you even remember phone booths?!) Back then, the goal was to set a world record. (I think.) “How many people can comfortably fit around your RV’s dinette table?” was the topic of an RVtravel.com poll. You can see the poll results below.
Key word: comfortably
Just like squeezing folks together in a phone booth, it’s certainly possible to squish a family of four into an RV dinette, but that doesn’t mean they can actually eat a meal there. Or even enjoy a hand-held snack, for that matter—at least not “comfortably” in our dinette. And I know we’re not alone. Comments from RVers who took our poll demonstrate why so many folks are removing their RV dinettes and replacing them with… well, other things that make more sense.
Poll takers’ alternatives
You may be one of the lucky few who are happy with their RV dinette. I congratulate you! For those of you, like me, who are less than thrilled with your situation, or seldom use your dinette, perhaps you’ll be inspired by some alternatives.
Sofa bed upgrade
One reader, jillie, plans to take out her dinette and replace it with a sofa bed. She’s not alone. Many folks need more sleeping space in their RVs. A sofa bed would be a nice upgrade from the convertible dinette bed. (You know, the bed you make by removing the table, repositioning the cushions, and figuring out some kind of sheet situation. All that hassle, just so that no one bigger than a 4-year-old can sleep there.) Yes, a sofa bed would be a great upgrade!
Recliner option
Mike A. said that he “opted for two recliners instead of a dinette.” Good for you, Mike. I wish more manufacturers offered that purchase option. Several other poll responders reported replacing their dinette with recliners or chairs of some kind, too.
Portable trays
Tony V. admits, “I never ate at the dinette when it was there.” I’m with you, Tony. My husband and I eat at the picnic table if the weather permits. If it’s raining, we opt for TV trays in front of the television. The trays store easily out of the way behind the sofa when not in use.
Free-standing option
Many of the poll responders replaced their dinette booth with a free-standing table and chairs. They now enjoy more space when eating or playing table games.
Other options
You can probably think of many, many additional alternatives when replacing your RV dinette. Here are a few of my favorites:
- Desk. Friends of ours removed their U-shaped dinette booth. They repurposed their dining table by turning it to fit along the RV wall as a desk. They love it!
- Pet cozy. I’ve seen pet lovers who have successfully removed their RV dinette. Now they use the space for their large dog’s big bed. Another RVer removed the table and one bench from the dinette. They left the bench that fits against the RV wall. Then they removed the drawer from the remaining bench. They tossed a comfy pillow inside, and now “Kitty” has a dark and quiet “hidey-hole.”
- Kitchen storage. If you never use your dinette, why not put shelves or cupboards in that space to store spices, kitchen appliances, or boxes of cereal and pasta? Yes, you’ll need to securely fasten the shelving to keep it from tipping over during travel. But think of everything you can store in there!
- Homeschooling space. Once you remove the dinette you can fasten a board atop two, two-drawer filing cabinets (one at each end) along a wall. Pull up chairs and you have a dedicated homeschooling station right inside your RV.
- Linen storage. Repurpose one or both built-in dinette benches for linen storage (towels, sheets, pillows, and kitchen linens). Simply move the benches against the RV walls. Bonus: You’ll get extra seating, too!
- Baby space. Little ones require lots of space. By removing your RV dinette, you’ll make room for a portable crib, playpen, highchair, or toy bins.
- Stow-away table. You can remove your dinette and replace it with a table that hinges to the wall. That way when you need a table, it’s available. When you don’t, you’ll enjoy the extra space. Check out these hinges for your project.
- Hobby nook. Replace your RV dinette with a simple card table and chair. Presto! You now have the perfect place to sew, scrapbook, or do whatever other hobby you enjoy. And you won’t need to put it all away at dinnertime!
- Java joint. Replace your current RV dinette with a shelf or table that holds your coffee and espresso machines. Add a few coffee mugs and the bean grinder, and you’ve got yourself a nice coffee station.
Downsides to replacing your RV dinette
I can only think of two, maybe three, downsides to removing and replacing your RV dinette.
- The 4 bazillion staples and screws you’ll need to take out when removing the table and benches.
- Potentially losing the hidden storage that’s currently underneath the dinette benches.
- Possibly regretting it when trying to resell your RV. (I doubt that once you’ve renovated your rig you’ll want to get rid of it, though. Am I right?)
I’m sure you may have additional ideas for replacing your RV dinette. Please leave your comments below!
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##RVT1194
Sorry, can’t get my head around removing the dinette. Mine is comfortable and functional. Without it where would you dine? On the couch? Standing up? Outside? That would not work in inclement weather. Or maybe you always eat at restaurants? If so, let’s talk removing the kitchen.
I’m with you Friz. And for us, it would take away a good chunk of storage in a very storage limited design.
Our bumper pull’s dinette was great. Our class C’s was a wrap around design that was awful. I tore it out, added a drop leaf table, 2 beautiful comfy chairs, so we can now look out the window while dining, and added a cabinet on one side and a small side cabinet on the other. Much more comfortable and usable. I have more practical storage vs practically lying on the floor to get to the stupid pull out drawer situation under the former dinette benches. I guess it’s all how your needs are.
Finished reupholster project on dinette. Replaced the hated ultraleather fake product. Removed the table and installed a small cat tree from Aldi. Added a surface to make the remaining area into a chaise lounge.
Everyone is happy.
What did you reupholster with? Can I order the material?
Yeap, the dinette is gone and replaced with a portion of chevron butcherblock countertops from rv remodel. The new dinette sits two since it’s only two of us, supported by two standard black rv table legs and matched up with free standing chairs. But why remove the original, cause it was bulky, uncomfortable and down right ugly fit, form and function! The remodel of my rv wasn’t just paint, cabinets, sinks, countertops, flooring all replaced and removal of one of two bathroom doors walled in. And with those changes, the common reaction from folks is “this doesn’t look like an rv”! Exactly the point to our remodel.
None of our 3 RVs have had a dinette, intentionally. After being in friends’ and relatives’ RVs with dinettes, we knew we never wanted anything that bulky and uncomfortable! Our travel trailer had a sofa and now our MH has theater seats, both with tables. However, we replaced both heavy OEM tables with lightweight plastic, adjustable-height tables. We ordered our fifth wheel with an optional table and chairs IPO a standard dinette. We have never missed the extra storage space provided by a dinette because we have never used or needed it.
We love our dinette! Outdoors RV makes a large one that comfortably seats four adults. We love to invite people in to play games and have dessert. And the large drawers under each seat are essential storage. The table is so large that we can leave our computers out and still have room to eat on it. It doubles as our office for two businesses.
5×5 on that.
Thank you for sharing all these ideas, Gail! We are very happy with our RV’s configuration. We are uncomfortable if we try to seat 4 for dinner, but that is more because of the lack of floorspace inside the RV than it is the size of the dinette. Have a great week and safe travels!
We are on our 3rd TT and spent over a year comparing floor plans and going to Dealers to walk through and get the feel of them. We settled on a Cougar 25RDSWE and couldn’t be happier. The dinette spans the entire width of the back end which sits 4 adults comfortably for meals and games, it converts into a big bed that can accommodate 2 adults. The recliners are right across from the TV so we are very comfortable for our morning news and coffee or late night movie. We learned from our first 2 TT what we didn’t like, now we are happy!
I like our dinette in our small GD 5th wheel. It’s a regular 4 seater dinette and we can easily fit four adults for meals and games. Is it the most comfortable and plush table I’ve ever sat at, no, but it does the job. The best part is there is a huge campsite window beside it which provides views and light.
We had a very compact self-contained 17′ TT. You had a dinette or you had a bed. We decided the swapping wasn’t worth it. It stayed an upgraded bed and we had a small folding table while sitting on the bed for eating. All I can say is it worked. We upgraded to a 21′ TT with a permanent bed and a small dinette. We are much happier. Our 34′ TT has a dining table and chairs.
Never really had a dinette in this fifth wheel. We had the five person sofa we replaced with a double desk because we still work, albeit remotely.
We trial our dogs and left the dinett. Took out a office/desk unit custom built by previous owner and installed a rack system for dog crates- Jack Russell size. When we sell we will pull our version and put a 6′ sofa in. No loss in value to us.
We have a 27’ Sunseeker. One day I decided to take out the dinette and put recliners in. Best thing ever! But taking out the seats and seatbelt brackets was a scary challenge. I was thinking what if I want to go back to having a dinette but after taking out a ton of stuff (much of it in busted pieces) there was no way I could use the old stuff. But we now finally can sit comfortably and watch tv as well!
We had a cramped dinette w/ under storage but took out the bench-type seats, leaving in the table. Got 4 suitable freestanding chairs and had more room to eat…including one seated at the end of the table. Then the non-foldout couch looked old & weird against that same wall so we took it out too, put in 2 recliners. Two yrs later, sold the motorhome to a couple who loved the arrangement.
We have a 2001 CrossRoads that came with a table & leaf and four chairs. Even with only the two of us, we extend the table and when the three grandkids join us, we have a folding chair that I use at the end of the table. There’s enough room for the five of us to eat comfortably.
I actually like the two recliner idea for the television. I am also thinking of having the two bunk beds removed and turning that space into a pantry storage area. Still thinking on it.
Our previous two Newmar Dutch Stars came with free-standing dining tables, which we much preferred. So, when the current one came with a table that telescoped into the credenza/desk, we had it removed and replaced with a free-standing table. It is much more comfortable, much more flexible, and we can comfortably seat six.
I have a u-shaped dinette in our 2010 keystone outback 5er and I LOVE IT! I do my crafting there, and half of the dinette seating area is kitty space. Small cat tree, food, water, and toys plus a window seat for the kitties as well. Since I take up the whole table they get the side and back seating. I took the cushions off that area and underneath is my craft storage which is easily accessed. If we ever upgrade I told hubby we will definitely need another u-shaped dinette!!
All of those are great ideas, specially the sofa bed. However mine is in a slide and I’m concerned about weight. Many sofa beds are quite heavy. I opted for a light weight folding table, with shelves so when it’s folded and placed against the wall it looks like a shelf. The space is big enough for an inflatable mattress when the grandkids come.
We built a breakfast bar with a cabinet on each end and free standing chairs.