You might want to consider putting a piece of furniture against the wall in the dining area, such as a hutch or server, and then decorating above or around it.

Something my MIL did many, many years ago in a similar situation: she placed an étagère against the wall between the two rooms and jutting into the room about where that clock is. It divided the area into two separate areas.

I don't know whether the pictured decorating is yours or not. To me, the problem is that it doesn't help define the spaces.

I would separate the two areas, some way, like with the above suggestion of a large case piece.

The open floor plan is a popular idea, but decorating those spaces can be challenging. You really have to differentiate the areas with furniture placement.

Thanks!

The pictures decorating is not mine. That's the person who currently still lives there. I close on the house next month. The issue is that this is a pretty right space. I think it'll be tough to fit a buffet or server behind the dining table. So if that's not an option I guess I'll work on finding something to separate the two spaces. I think I'm going to have my work cut out for me.

It's hard to tell without seeing the whole space. Can you step back and include the window and dining set too?

I'd start with drapes that fit the window. They will take up some wall space when hung correctly. My LR drapes extend 16" onto the wall.

The obvious solution is to not put a chair where it crowds the DR, but if LR seating is needed there, could it be placed in front of the window? That should make room for a small chest with drawers, moved as close to the DR as possible without interfering with the table. I would use it for storage of place mats and napkins for easy table-setting.

Your inclination might be to hang large pieces of art or groups of pictures to fill the wall, but I think they need an anchor on a large wall, ie furniture. In most homes, they don't seem to look right floating like they're at an art gallery. They do look fine on their own on small walls though. You also don't need to decorate every blank wall.

When possible -- please post photos of the whole wall -- and the room .....

.... but consider adding a thin, long cabinet to the dining room side -- and then sit a tall lamp on the right-hand side of the cabinet (beside the middle window) -- THEN hang a grid of smaller framed photos (ex. local trees) on the left-hand side .... for a better visual balance .... Or hang a round mirror on the left-hand-side wall above the cabinet -- to add a different shape to the whole wall ....

Of course -- our answers do depend on how the whole wall and the room will look and how you will use the room ... and what furnishing you have etc. ........

Hi, all:

Thanks for the continued help. I don't live in this house yet and the pictures I took at our showing were limited. The current decorations/curtains are the sellers so none of this is my stuff in the picture. Once I moved in a few weeks, I'll take another better picture of the whole wall and post it so it gives people a better idea.

@ may_flowers , when you say to hang a curtain to fit the window. Do you mean just raise the curtain rod and have it be longer than the window too to make give the illusion of it being a bigger window? And obviously hang panels that go to the floor instead of the weird length they have?

An open, shallow bookcase (a la MCM) would allow you to separate the two spaces as well as display vintage china, pots, books, etc. without taking up too much of the room.

Diane

Yes, but reading back I see there's not much wall on the right side of the window. I also see that your LR and DR have different flooring, so I see your concern about placing a wall unit that straddles the rooms. Maybe you could draw a layout?

I found better pictures to post of the space; however, the website is not allowing me to upload them for the life of me. Does anyone else ever have this problem?

Some sites don't allow it. Are you able to post the link? Not sure if you want to do that, in case there is too much identifying info.

Since you've already decided on the house, just take pics when you move in and post them. We'll all still be here :)

Upload the photos to Photobucket and then link to them here.

I finally have another picture of the full wall. Again, this isn't my house yet so this isn't my furniture or decor! I have an L couch that I think the only place it will work is against the wall of the window/vaulted wall that I'm having trouble with. The chaise part is going to come out probably where the carpet line ends/dining room area starts. Hopefully not too close to the dining room as that'll look crowded.

Again my concern is how do I decorate the wall from the dining room over into the living room?

This post was edited by nelsmayview on Wed, Apr 23, 14 at 10:53

It does look a little tricky. Honestly, my recommendation would be to wait until you are moved in and have your furniture in, and assess the function of the space before over thinking the decorating. It's a process, and to me, spaces must be set up to function well before looking pretty.

Try a tall and narrow bookcase or etagere placed in front of the outlet to balance out the height of the window. The bookcase will cut the wall into smaller segments so it makes it easier to decorate it. Then you could place art on the wall between the bookcase and window and art on the other side of the bookcase. I would keep the vertical orientation going under the peak of the wall by hanging one vertical piece or two related pictures one above the other between the window and bookcase. You can probably do a large piece or a grouping on the other section. Should be easier to deal with when it's less continuous space. I'd also use full panel drapes hung a little above the top frame to accentuate the height.

Are you saying the long part of your sectional would go in front of the window? I would avoid blocking the window.