Repurposing an Open Dining Room

Recently, a friend of mine asked me how to plan furniture for an dining area that is open to her living room.  She isn't going to use it as a formal dining, which is typical to have only 1 dining and it's usually next to the kitchen (what used to be called the breakfast room).  So what do you do with this awkward space.  It's usually a small room open on 2 sides adjacent to the living room.  

My friend's Dining Room

View from entry - Dining on the right and Living on the left

I see so many houses where this is set up as a dining room but it is rarely used.  Why waste space on a room you only may use 3 times a year?  My advice to my friend and you is to use this space as an office, library, game room, music room, sitting room or a combination of these.

Here's some ideas...

Office

A simple desk, chair and picture can fill the space nicely

Office and seating mixed

Great office idea that looks good enough to be in your living room

a floating desk

Library

Build-in shelves and add seating

shelves and lounge chairs are a great look

library table

The perfect reading area

Love how light and airy this feels

You don't have to have a lot of books or built-in shelves to call it a library.

Gaming

Love this small game table (add a bar too!)

You can take advantage of the chandelier that is wired in the room for your game table.

Love the leaning art!

Large art can help fill the space too!

 Music Room

Re-purposed Formal Living Room

This is a formal living room we designed to be the music room for our clients boys.

Love the hanging guitars

All you need is a piano!

Instruments and add some seating

 This is a bit too sparse for me, I would have added a rug but you get the point!

 Sitting Room

4 Chairs and a table or ottoman (notice the piano)

Love this !!!

Make sure you use a small settee or chairs so this area doesn't compete with the living room

A cozy chair, lamp, art and table is all need

I would avoid a playroom, craft room or any room that will get junked up.  You want your living room to be comfortable and presentable to guests without too much effort.  ~Brandy

Spanish Eclectic

Spanish Eclectic style homes are some of my all time favorites. These homes started in California as an architectural movement in the early 20th century based on Spanish Colonial architecture.

Design Elements:

Stucco walls and chimney finishes
Low pitch clay tile roofs
Small porches and balconies
Arched doorways
Decorative iron trim

Let's take a look at some of my favorites!

My number one favorite Spanish Eclectic home is the Ojai, CA ranch that Kathryn Ireland remodeled.

Reese Witherspoon now owns the ranch and here's what the great room looks like now. 

And here's what it looked like when Kathryn Ireland lived here. Which do you prefer? I like the more colorful space of Kathryn's design!

I love this daybed nook layered with all of Kathryn's amazing fabrics!

I love the Moroccan accents

Here are some more awesome Spanish Eclectic spaces. See if you can identify the common design elements.

Arched windows, stucco walls and fireplace, iron work

Here's an example of Spanish Colonial with some European influence as well. Very Classy!

Tile roof and small balcony

Love this one! 

Do you like the Spanish Eclectic style? I would love to live in one some day but seeing as I live in Tyler, I am probably going to have to build one! 

~Jessica