Dining Rooms conjure visions of leisure dinner parties and holidays with family and friends together around a bountiful spread. Chandeliers on dimmers, candle light and fresh flowers, laughter and storytelling fill the room. The reality is that for most of us the Dining Room gets used 2-3 times a year for formal entertaining, and more often than not has a science project, lego creation or “returns pile” hanging out on the table. Additionally, many homes have architecture that feature the room prominently upon entering the front door - leaving us asking the question - can we do better?
The dining room is used so infrequently for entertaining, but meanwhile, office space and additional lounge spaces are popular needs among our clients these days. This combination has us flexing our design muscles to create hybrid dining room spaces that can adjust to meet all sorts of needs. When designing two floor plans for the same space - one for traditional dining room use and one for an everyday, more functional use - the key items to consider include the table, chairs and chandelier.
With one option for everyday use and one option to host holiday gatherings, this dining room will get a lot more use. When it is set up as a lounge, the seating arrangement allows for casual conversation or a retreat with a book. As a dining room, it accommodates 12 people.
First, the key to this concept is a dining table that can be flexible. This may be a table that can contract and expand as you use the room differently. Ideally, a table that can become a console or is relatively small for the day-to-day works well. Depending on the size of your room, you may consider a round table with 2-3 dining chairs along with 2 wingback chairs for reading or lounging, a small floating desk or a console.
Expanding Dining Table, Source: WEST ELM
Drop Leaf Table, Source: CRATE & BARREL
Having some comfy lounge chairs is key to creating a multipurpose space — smaller scale wingback or swivel chairs can potentially float in the corner of the room when the dining table is expanded - or perhaps relocated to the living room. When you are using your dining room for that big holiday meal, chances are you’ll want some additional seating in your casual spaces anyways, right? You can gang these chairs with a smaller scale coffee table or ottomans - creating a perfect space for tucking away with a book or a chat with a friend or spouse. We like to round out the “lounge” seating with some upholstered dining chairs that can also serve as the host/hostess chairs at the ends of the table when the room is in dining room mode.
Upholstered Rolling Armchair, Source: WORLD MARKET
What to do about the actual dining chairs? Where do those live when the room is serving it’s office/lounge/flex purpose? Here are a couple of easy options:
If you have enough kitchen table chairs to hop in and serve double duty that’s a bonus
Stackable chairs that can be stored in a closet, attic or basement
Folding chairs - and don’t worry - there are some pretty ones out there!
Stacking Dining Chairs, Source: POTTERY BARN
Bamboo Folding Chairs, Source: AMAZON
Barn Red Folding Dining Chairs, Source: OVERSTOCK
Finally, you’ll need to take care in choosing a chandelier that can be mounted at a height that works when there isn’t a dining table underneath it. If you want to cheat it as low as possible you can gang your lounge seating and coffee table under so no one can walk in that path, or choose a low-slung fixture that still has a lot of drama.
All-in-all, the dining room is such valuable real estate in a home that making sure it serves a purpose all 365 days of the year may take some planning and flexibility, but it is so worth it.
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