Small dining room with fireplace. Layout problem.
10 years ago
OK please ignore the chairs...they're from a previous house and I'll replace them with something less intrusive. And the bookcase is probably being moved too... But how should I layout this dining room?
There is a partially blocked up fireplace, which I can either block up completely or perhaps put a cast iron Victorian suite into for decorative purposes. I'm about to embark on a building project to add a kitchen extension: this will see the existing window blocked up and French doors added to that wall. The photos above are taken from the doorway to the living room. The area to the left being essentially a walkway to the kitchen and also housing the door to the stairs.
Day to day we tend to have the table as in the second pic, but with just four chairs. Obviously if I put the fireplace in this won't be an option.
When there are guests (i.e. most weekends) we spin the table round as per the first pic, so we can pop a chair on each end. But the space is a bit narrow and a degree of clambering is involved for anyone sat on the fireplace side. I was thinking of maybe using a bench/benches but I'm concerned guests might find this uncomfortable as they'd have to be backless?
The whole of the downstairs will be replastered, decorated and new flooring put down. But I'm stuck on improving the layout, so any advice would be much appreciated. Thanks.
There is a partially blocked up fireplace, which I can either block up completely or perhaps put a cast iron Victorian suite into for decorative purposes. I'm about to embark on a building project to add a kitchen extension: this will see the existing window blocked up and French doors added to that wall. The photos above are taken from the doorway to the living room. The area to the left being essentially a walkway to the kitchen and also housing the door to the stairs.
Day to day we tend to have the table as in the second pic, but with just four chairs. Obviously if I put the fireplace in this won't be an option.
When there are guests (i.e. most weekends) we spin the table round as per the first pic, so we can pop a chair on each end. But the space is a bit narrow and a degree of clambering is involved for anyone sat on the fireplace side. I was thinking of maybe using a bench/benches but I'm concerned guests might find this uncomfortable as they'd have to be backless?
The whole of the downstairs will be replastered, decorated and new flooring put down. But I'm stuck on improving the layout, so any advice would be much appreciated. Thanks.
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PRO10 years ago- 10 years agoHi Angela. A couple more pics. There are two doors - one to the stairs and the other to the kitchen. The former is staying, the latter being widened and replaced it glazed French doors. (The plan was to knock through to the new kitchen with a breakfast bar between, but it didn't meet fire regs.) There is an alcove under the stairs, which my architect has suggested putting storage into. There will also be a sliding door to the living room recessing into it. Hope that makes sense?!
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Comments (4)Hey looks like a lovely room. I would opt for a L shaped sofa so it frames the fireplace area and identifies that as the cosy living room space and still allows easy access to a dining table by window. Your built in bench is a good idea to make most of the space, could have 2 either side so means beach can be tucked under table when not in use. Get a beautiful oversized ottoman for costing up by fire and a small side table rather than coffee table to maximise the space and maintain the luxury feel. Hope you have fun with your plans!...See MoreHelp with layout for chambre d'hote sitting room/dining room
Comments (3)It looks like the little kitchen area has now gone so I would create a booth style seating area in that space. The piano I would then put at an angle in the other nook facing into the room as a feature corner. The rest of the seating would then be in the main central area. I think ultimately this depends on the budget you now have to finish the room, whether lighting can be changed to incorporate some features and task lighting/pendants. Have you considered having a designer look at the space? I work remotely and include lighting, layout and accessorising in my PDF remote designs. As you already have the wall colour and flooring sorted this you would be surprised how affordable the price is :) best of luck. It's looking great so far....See MoreHelp with living-dining room layout
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Comments (12)A couple of options:- I'd put the games table in the study as for me personally it has no place in the lounge / dining area and should be out of the way in a separate room. With the games table out of the way, you have more room for seating in the lounge area & the conservatory, which can then be opened up for larger gatherings :-...See More- 10 years ago
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PRO10 years ago- 10 years ago
- 10 years ago
lol! Sorry, I think US dimensions tend to be a little more generous. I think a 3ft corridor would be recommended but you could probably go a tad smaller. Here's a UK version of table sizes
http://www.ebay.co.uk/gds/How-to-Choose-the-Right-Sized-Dining-Table-/10000000177320505/g.html
I think you could probably work ghost chairs in if you wanted. The lower size storage sounds a good idea. Or alternatively how would you feel about putting a cupboard in the small alcove?
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