1. Separate Areas

If possible, create a dining area within your living room with a proper table (no matter how small) and chairs. This will feel so much more civilized than eating in front of the TV when you are eating a full meal and certainly when you invite a guest or two. It is a nice touch to mark out the separate parts of your room with floor area rugs. A beautiful fluffy shag rug in your seating area and a coordinating yet more washable rug in your dining area.

2. Folding Table and chairs

If space is at a premium look for folding chairs and the kind of table which folds down and can be positioned against a wall. Then you need only extend it when you want to eat there. The table will be useful for other activities too such as paperwork, crafts and homework so you will probably find you use it more than you think.

3. Happy Snacks

If you prefer small light meals you can easily eat these (in front of the TV if you like!) with the help of trays and or small tables. Look out for butlers tables (a kind of small table which you can fold up and put away)

4. Protect Your Furniture and Flooring

Carpets and sofa covers generally do not look good with food stains. (One reason to stick to a separate dining area if you can.) Always have stain remover on hand to deal with inevitable spills and take care when eating if you are sitting on your sofa.