New Ways to use Your

Dining Room

While a formal dining room works well for many people, not everyone needs this extra space for eating. So what to do with all that space? Check out these fun and fresh dining room ideas, get inspired and create a space that’s all your own.

Bar and Lounge

Let the craft cocktail movement guide you and create a relaxing bar and lounge area in your home. Use your dining room space to set up a handsome wooden bar or bar cart and stock it with your favorites. If you have the space, create a relaxed seating area with a couch or a couple of accent chairs. For that speakeasy look, go for a dark, romantic color palette, with classic, polished details such as pendant lamps, dark walls and metallic-framed wall art.   

Office Space

Let’s face it: not everybody these days has an extra room to create a standalone home office. If you host guests frequently, combining a guest room and home-office might not be the best call either. Instead, carve out some space for a home office in the dining room. If you’ve already got a fabulous dining set, make the most of it and use it as your desk. You can easily tuck away a small cabinet for files and office equipment in another corner of a room. If you have a little extra space to spare, you can add a wall desk or secretary desk so your office is there when you need it, and neatly tucked out of the way when you don’t.

Library

The romantic allure of a dimly lit room filled with plush chairs and tall, book-lined shelves never goes out of style. Give your home some classic sophistication and a refined ambiance by creating a dedicated space for reading in your dining room. All it takes is a comfy armchair or couch, and you can add extra storage with wall shelves to hold all of your best-loved books. If you have the space, add a shelving unit and make a cozy reading nook by the window, using a window seat or a tufted leather loveseat – and an extra snuggly throw blanket. Then all that’s left is to curl up with a good book.

Kids’ Activity Room

If your home doesn’t already have a dedicated playroom for the kids, let them take over the dining room (with your guidance, of course). You can set up some shelves or cabinets for art supplies, toys, puzzles and games and bring in a kid-sized table for them to work at. If you want to encourage your kids to spend time away from the glow of a computer, tablet or TV screen, you can dedicate the new playroom to all-analog activities.

Tranquility Room

Whether it’s yoga, meditation or just curling up with a great book, you can create a tranquil space dedicated to all things calm. Start with soft lighting, add some floor cushions in a corner, plenty of plants and some lovely scented candles to fill the space with warmth, comfort and beauty. The final step? Make time to relax, unplug and unwind.