Improving a small Victorian dining room: any tips?
Hi folks
I’ve attached some photos of the dining room in our Victorian semi (dimensions 3.0m x 3.7m). We did a little bit of renovation in this room when we moved in (mainly plastering/painting plus taking up carpet and putting down laminate), but now it’s time to improve it further.
Since many of you out there have much better design heads than us, I thought I’d ask opinions.
Things we’re considering:
1. Take out the electric heater and replace with an empty fireplace + improve the fireplace surround.
2. Take out the bookshelves either side of the fireplace and replace with alcove cupboards + floating shelves.
3. Add a small cupboard under the stairs.
4. Replace the table with a smaller version (eg square that extends), with benches rather than chairs.
5. Possibly add a window into the west-facing wall (where the clock is), for lots more light.
Any advice on the above, or suggestions to maximise storage and/or fit a Victorian style, warmly appreciated.
Comments (12)
Sonia
3 years agoI’m a real fan of plenty of plenty of cupboard space, it really tidies up a room, so I think getting a carpenter to build proper cupboards next to the fireplace, with a few floating shelves above for choice items is the way to go. He could then put a door on the understairs area as well as shelves or pull out drawers. Adding a window sounds good, but what is on the other side of the wall? If it’s next doors wall I’m not sure how much light will get in?
You could improve the dining area by changing the chairs for ones with a lower back. Tall ladderback chairs can be heavy and just get in the way sometimes!
Here’s a few ideas
James Rice thanked SoniaJames Rice
3 years agoRelated Discussions
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Comments (15)Hello Elodie, One thing I would do to make the living room feel bigger is take out the shelving either side of the chimney breast. One of my personal hates with fireplaces.. If you painted the chimney breast a nice colour like a dark teal (fantastic with tan sofa, woods etc) that would stand out and the alcoves a creamy colour like whitening.. You could have the opposite wall in teal too, which really works with the floorboards, wood and a fantastic sofa or two like those in the picture! They are gr8!!! In the alcoves you could then have another mirror and a small side table or console with a lamp.. I'd be inclined to want to reveal all of the boards and maybe have a small rug here and there or not at all! It's lovely! I would have continued the floor boards in the kitchen and the entire house. Wooden venetian blinds with tapes would be nice even on the kitchen windows and I do agree that the curtain pole in the living room is too high.. Could be a nicer looking one with Voile type fabric... Change the light fitting in the living room to something that hangs down even a little... Something pretty in glass.. with a ceiling rose. You could even add a small cornice... I would have a large mirror leaning on that panelled wall too, if you painted it the same colour as that wall for instance it would blend in.. Would give the idea of more space and extra light.. can never have too much even if it is bright.. Ebay oversized mirrors is a good place to start.. They are not originals but who cares.. You can paint it to look old, but an idea anyway.. The kitchen cupboards are nice! Maybe paint the knobs fully the same colour as the cupboards so they don't stand out.. and the only thing I'd suggest changing is the sink. A really nice butler sink could go really nicely with the tap.. Cream Smeg old 50's style fridge and a gas hob.. Can't see the oven... Wooden venetian with tapes for the window... For the bedroom I like the mirror there... Maybe carry the teal colour onto that wall.. Leave the rest chalky cream.. Have a chest at the foot of the bed if you can manage it and a chest of drawers too if possible.. Then you can get a bigger bed.. Can I see a little fireplace.. Don't take that out.. it's lovely.. blinds again in the bedroom... You can also put in some over head shelving... keep the shelves the same as the walls, that way they blend in... Think the place has a lot of character and really very lovely.... : ))...See MoreMove kitchen to dining room in Victorian terrace with PD extension
Comments (12)We have just extended our house in exactly the same way but our dining room is at the front, kitchen in the middle and lounge at the back. Our ground floor is now opened up right through from front to back with pocket doors to section off the dining room. We are on a main road so it made more sense to have the lounge where it's more private/quiet. We didn't add the toilet, like in your plan, as our space is 3.2m wide but if we had more space would defo of added one. Layout works perfectly for us. Kitchen is now the heart of the home and we now use every each of the space, instead of the old dining room being a thoroughfare that never got used. Perfect layout if you have kids and need 360 views of them. The main things to consider, I feel, are the position of the boiler and boiler flue, adequate lighting for the kitchen as might be darker after the extension. Get as much light (natural and artificial) into the kitchen as you can and also consider adequate ventilation for the kitchen: we chose a very powerful extractor to minimise smells/steam/mould from cooking, and chose electrically operated skylights for the extension. We also chose Quiet Mark appliances to minimise noises form the kitchen....See MoreImprove ground floor layout - Victorian House
Comments (20)Just a thought! For your first floor if you wanted to then it looks like there might be potential to create a more central bathroom on the landing and make the current bathroom, or part of it, into an ensuite for the back bedroom (number 3 on the plan). Not sure if a bedroom with ensuite and an extra bathroom is something you'd like to have, but it looks like this might be an option. Useful if you want a guest bedroom with an ensuite, or have teenage children who spend ages in the bathroom! I imagine you have the front bedroom as the masterbedroom, and it doesn't look so possible to create an ensuite for that room without taking space off the bedroom. Might be something worth considering. Having an ensuite is the second most frequently requested alteration that I get asked for. It would be worth asking your estate agent if doing this would improve the potential resale value of your home - if this is something you're interested in....See MoreNeed helping planning kitchen / dining room in Victorian terrace
Comments (3)Hi Chloe! My questions would be: How do you see yourself using the space? Are you a couple that loves entertaining and having friends or family over, and if so what kind of space do you need to make that enjoyable? Or do you have a hobby like baking, or do you have any other particular preferences and wishes for the kitchen space and how it works for you? Plus how the dining space and the kitchen space work together? These are the kinds of questions that I'd be considering to figure out what is going to be the best solution. You'll find my Design Your Home Vision Checklist useful - you can get it free here: https://www.i-architect.co.uk/dyhvchecklist.html Best wishes with your home redesign! Jane chartered architect, eco-home and conservation area specialist www.i-architect.co.uk Join Jane live on facebook for home design tips and expert Q&A. Midday Mondays: https://fb.me/e/fXBDxgZ3x...See MoreJames Rice
3 years agoJames Rice
3 years ago
Siglint Kessler
3 years ago
Harry Barraza
3 years agoI’d suggest an extendable dining table and clear chairs for plenty of light around the room.
Yvo Goodson
3 years ago
H A