"The Great Room" kitchen vs. dining. vs. living -- Need your help!!
Good morning,
We recently purchased a new construction home and are in the process of decorating. Clearly, our current furniture situation and decor leaves A LOT to be desired, though we are focused on purchasing a dining room table and chairs to create a dining room space. The width of the house is 16.5 feet, though the distance from the wall to the staircase is 140 inches. Also, the distance from the edge of the wall that sticks out (left of fridge) to the rug (i.e. bottom of staircase) is 110 inches. I can't decide between a round, oval, or rectangular table. I assume it would be best to find a table that is extendable for entertaining purposes. In terms of style, we are open to any possibility. Also, the living room furniture will be replaced as we decide on a functional layout.
What shape and type of table would best fit this space? What about the overall layout of the dining and living space?
Any help is greatly appreciated. Thank you so much!!
Comments (21)
- 6 years ago
Related Discussions
This great room/dining room needs some spice! Please help!
Comments (31)Here are some pics from Houzz that might give you some ideas. I love the blinds in the first on that hide the upper windows, but it's a pretty contemporary look. The interest on the ceiling along with the chandelier brings it down a bit. [contemporary living room design[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/contemporary-living-room-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_718~s_2103) by new york interior designer David Landy ASID CID NY State This has a strong horizontal element with lighting that breaks up the height: [traditional living room design[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional-living-room-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_718~s_2107) by dc metro general contractor Moss Building and Design [ the last two use lots of wood/built-ins to add heft and interest [(https://www.houzz.com/photos/st-clements-great-room-traditional-family-room-toronto-phvw-vp~81556) [traditional family room design[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional-family-room-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_720~s_2107) by toronto design-build Schnarr Craftsmen Inc [traditional family room design[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional-family-room-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_720~s_2107) by atlanta interior designer Mary Trantow...See MoreWants vs needs in our kitchen design. Help!
Comments (68)Agree with smm5525, the two inspirations pics are not really compatible. The LR would fit in perfectly in my traditional 1941 "colonial" house and the kitchen is more a 1990's "Mediterranean" genre. Neither are either tropical or beachy -- I am not sure what you are picturing in your mind's eye with those terms. The two spaces are going to be completely open to each other so they have to flow together smoothly. Also, they need to fit the style/era of the rest of your house! What is it like? You had mentioned that the kitchen would be "warm" and the great room/bar "cool" which, again, doesn't often work in real life when the spaces are juxtaposed like that. One or the other will always look "off" to you unless the colors are very carefully chosen and use a lot of mid range neutrals (colors that work with both warm and cool). I do like the color that you've chosen for the bar cabinets BTW. Find some more inspiration pics to clarify your overall looks and then call your ID soonest and get him/her working with you! You mentioned being on a timeline, but I strongly encourage you to have the whole project a bit more thoroughly planned out before anything is started....See MoreLarge Kitchen vs. Large Living Room - Remodel Design Dilemma
Comments (6)@Patricia, you have a good point. I think I will definitely want to consult a designer to get their perspective from an aesthetics/space usage mindset. I do have a large media room in the lower level where my big screen is, so I figure if I ever have a large group to watch a game, etc., that is likely where I will need the most seating. The upstairs could then be used more generally for entertaining. My dining table seats 10 and moving it into living area would allow me to add chairs on either end. The addition of a 9-10’ Island would add seating as well. At worst, the family in its current footprint could snugly fit a ~6-7 person sectional and a chair. I think with an additional ~2-3’ feet in length and width, I should easily be able to fit a sectional in there as well as 1-2 accent chairs. Plus if I’m entertaining there would be plenty of space to gather at the end of the kitchen where the new bar would be. These pictures are not by any means exactly what I would do (I used a trial version and stock colors/cabinets), but should help give a sense of layout....See MoreEngineered Hardwood vs Hardwood vs LVP in Kitchen/Dining/Living? MDWST
Comments (19)Kim,,,it's very solid. just make sure the glue is spread to completely cover the plank. I have a few spots (like under the kitchen sink) where they missed the corner and it squeaks. They've held up great. I don't have dogs, but I have cats and have heard their nails burning rubber across the floor they go off on their tangents. I've spilled water, cleaned up their barf, spilled food, whatever, it all cleans up very well. as for dents, only if you drop something very heavy. but any wood floor will dent. I vacuum w/a Dyson, and then I use Bona wood floor cleaner on a mop. in the kitchen, i'll often take the scrubby brush and watered down Dawn to clean up spills or oil stains. no problem. no, I don't baby them. I don't wear shoes in my house though. I love my floors. just make sure on install they clean up all the glue residue. my guys were messy and lazy. had to call them back w/special glue remover and rag and go over the entire floor....See MoreRelated Professionals
Hagerstown Interior Designers & Decorators · Dania Beach Architects & Building Designers · Spartanburg Furniture & Accessories · Middletown General Contractors · University City General Contractors · Wheaton General Contractors · Mount Vernon Interior Designers & Decorators · Santa Barbara Furniture & Accessories · Charleston Furniture & Accessories · North Richland Hills Carpenters · North New Hyde Park Cabinets & Cabinetry · Warr Acres Cabinets & Cabinetry · Riverside Custom Closet Designers · Camp Springs Custom Closet Designers · Westbury Interior Designers & Decorators
6 years agoREL0516 thanked beckysharp Reinstate SW Unconditionally- 6 years ago
- 6 years ago
6 years agoYou'll have to you use your imagination a bit here, but one of my favorite small home solutions for living/dining spaces is to put a rectangular dining table against the back of a sofa. Table will seat 4, but can be moved to seat 6.
So in your situation, maybe put the back of the sofa toward the kitchen right where the ceiling height changes and put a dining table behind it? Hard to know if it would work without all the dimensions.
- 6 years agoREL0516 thanked beckysharp Reinstate SW Unconditionally
- 6 years ago
Thank you so much-- I am really appreciative of your time and help!
Do these pictures help at all?
- 6 years agolast modified: 6 years ago
Since it's a small space, and if you think you guys will usually eat at the island unless you're entertaining, you might try putting your sofa where the chair and card table are. The dining table by the front window.
If you'll be watching TV here, it would be more comfy to do so if the TV is directly across from the sofa on the stair wall. your sofa would work well in this configuration because the chaise helps define/separate the living and dining spaces.
It's worth a try...
REL0516 thanked sheloveslayouts - 6 years ago
I just remembered a good example of a TV on a stair wall. Jenny Komenda did it years ago with kind of a gallery wall approach...
REL0516 thanked sheloveslayouts 
6 years agolast modified: 6 years agoNot a designer by far, but I am familiar with these sorts of cozy spaces (which I actually love, but they can require some creativity!) The problem is the "dining area" is also a bit of a hallway from front living room to kitchen, front front entry to rear entry, from back to stairs, etc. Usually this "hallway" will occur closer to the stairs by the wall. Having a bigger table there and chairs can clutter up that area visually and functionally on a day to day basis.
If usually it is just your husband and you day to day, I wonder if perhaps a bench seat by the opposite wall to the stairs and a small square or rectangular (either one being expandable) table (plus a couple chairs) may be best for day to day to leave it a little more open for moving about, and then if you are entertaining you can expand into that extra space and add more chairs. Do you have a basement or storage area you can keep extra chairs/leaf extensions for a table?
These are kind of benches I am thinking of. You can certainly do a movable one, does not have to be secured. I think either a straight bench or a L shaped bench would work as you have that bit of wall by the kitchen:
REL0516 thanked RaiKai- 6 years ago
- 6 years ago
- 6 years ago
Quick update. We found a table and chairs! I really like how the walnut colors tie together (shelves, barstools, table). Now looking for a rug to place under the table. I feel like we need more separation between the wood floor and wood table.
ingrid_vc so. CA zone 9