This holiday season, my dining room got a real workout! From casual brunches, to festive luncheons, to sit down dinners for 12, it was a busy, busy season. But, the rest of the year? Not so much! While I would never suggest eliminating the space (where would I host parties in bad weather?), to maximize the usefulness of this large room, I want make my dining room do double duty.
If you are in a similar situation, there are several ways to enhance your dining room space. Here are a few of my personal faves.
Add a Home Office Space to the Dining Room
Post-pandemic, many of us have returned to the office. However, a home office space is still a valuable asset for any WFH days, paying bills, or simply working on the next great American novel!
Adding a desk in the dining room is an easy and quick adaptation. Choosing wood tones and a furniture style that coordinates with existing pieces provides a seamless look.
And, when it’s time to host a get together, simply clear the desktop, add some lovely décor and utilize the surface area for a bar or sideboard!
A Library and Dining Room Make a Cozy Pairing
As the co-founder of a literacy organization, it’s no secret that I love books. And I have bookcases in almost every room of my house, in order to (try to, at least) contain my rather large collection! Adding a bookcase (or several) into a dining room not only makes the most of the space, it also provides a wonderfully cozy, Old World feel. Open-shelf bookcases are generally quite affordable and can be installed quickly.
Use Hidden Storage to Combine a Craft Station and Dining Room
I once read that crafting and collecting craft supplies are two separate hobbies. Unfortunately, I think I fall squarely in the second category! Craft supplies can quickly get out of hand. And, having no set space to corral them all but guarantees that craft projects will languish. However, adding some closed storage to the dining room will keep all of your bits and bobs in one place, plus will provide a large horizontal surface on which to do your work (just don’t forget the table pads and/or drop cloths to protect tabletops).
The DreamBox has been popularized on social media and looks like an incredible option. However, they are pricey (for example, the DreamBox 3 Signature is $3,499) and unless you are a serious crafter, you may not need quite so large a storage unit. Think “outside the box” and add a credenza, armoire, or other closed cupboard space, then organize using inexpensive bins and boxes.
Add a Homework or Homeschool Component to Your Dining Room
I have three (now adult) children. And when they were at school, homework and projects were always tackled in the dining room (despite having bedrooms with desks). Whilst they chose to spread out on the table, a more effective option would have been to add a bank of desks along one wall. The benefit of this configuration is to allow each child their own separate space, as well as provide the ability to more easily concentrate. If you homeschool, this set-up is a lifesaver, as you can easily work with each child in one central space. (Click here for more Homeschool Set Up Tips.)
Do you have even more suggestions for dining room combinations? Please share them in the comments!
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