where to put dining room table if there's a bay window

2 years ago

last modified: 2 years ago

dining room lighting/furniture placement help needed: the main space in the dining room is 13' x 15.5'. there's also a large bay window that adds about 2 more feet of depth, so the room is effectively 13' x 17.5' in terms of floor space. currently, the table and chandelier are centered in the room. on one end of the table is the bay window. on the other end is a buffet. if i center the table in the main part of the room, spacing feels very tight for the chair near the buffet. similarly, spacing also feels tight on the side of the table that's adjacent to the china cabinet. i'm replacing our single chandelier with two chandeliers, so i'm having an electrician move the wiring, and it's an opportunity to rethink where the table and chandeliers sit in the room. (chandeliers will be centered over the table, wherever it ends up.) i'm struggling with maximizing the functionality of the space vs. visual symmetry.

should i keep everything centered in the main part of the room (ignoring the space from the bay window) or should i factor in the space from the bay window? if i do that, then the china cabinet won't be centered with the table, or should i center it with the table and not center it with the wall?

and should i push the table over so that it's an extra foot away from the china cabinet? if i do that, the table won't be centered with the bay window.

***edited to add photos of the room. excuse the horrible mess! also, the drawing is to scale (1/2 inch = 1 ft)

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (14)

PRO
RL Relocation LLC
2 years ago
last modified: 2 years ago
post a picture of the actual room, that helps out a lot. what opposite the china cabinet?
PRO
RL Relocation LLC
2 years ago
Related Discussions
Does our dining room bay window need blinds?
Q
Comments (15)
Thank you for all the good suggestions and helpful pictures. ; ) When you are suggesting window film, Tim, are you saying that by using the film we wouldn't need to close the curtains because the film would cut the glare, or that the film would eliminate fading the floor and furniture? Our windows have a UV protection built into them, so I don't think we'll have much trouble with fading. I like to let as much sun in as we can get as long as the glare isn't too much. It's just as cloudy as Seattle here (I just checked the data...) so when the sun is shining, we practically feel like throwing a party it feels so good! Two days of sun in a row are a cause for celebration. ; ) I'm totally ok with just doing the curtains if that's all we need. I've looked at so many pictures of long curtains with bamboo blinds that I was beginning to feel like my windows would look half dressed with only curtains. DH is not a bamboo blind fan (but could be persuaded, possibly) but the price of them is what I don't like. Our windows aren't quite standard sizes, so that makes it even trickier. I did consider doing a subtle floral print Roman blind, but I'd want to hang it so that when open, it didn't cover the window glass at all. Is it difficult to hang Romans a few inches above the moulding? (Do they hang right when bumped out at the moulding thickness?) From what many of you are saying this isn't even necessary. I'm all for less work, since the Roman blinds would be diy. Annie, your views are stunning! OT, I'm on the hunt for a large, inexpensive rug to put under our table. I didn't realize just how much sound the plaster and exposed joist ceiling were absorbing when this room was in it's pre-Reno state. The fresh drywall has turned this room into an echo chamber. One of my kids dropped their fork last night and we all cringed at the skull splitting sound.
...See More
Where would you put the dining room and living room?
Q
Comments (20)
That's a plus! Close up the pass through and door and make a high opening through that wall. Joanna Gaines does that a lot so the support is not lost but you get the feeling of openness. She'll take a regular 72" opening and widen it to 84 or 96 and open it to the ceiling. Remarkable difference, but if it is load bearing, you may have to insert some support in the wall above it which is more expensive to do. Remember, when you open this wall, guests will step through your front door and see your kitchen and all the mess. Something to consider. You might appreciate closing the current door and pass through and putting a 48" wide opening at the thermostat end of that wall for access without the direct view from the entrance into the kitchen. With the other wall closed, you might find room for a tiny breakfast table and chairs or for a coffee bar.
...See More
What should I put in front of bay window?!!
Q
Comments (8)
I'd create a little spot for sitting with a cup of coffee and a book. Maybe add a round rug, a transitional wingback chair (two if there's room) and a small round table. You might not always want to just sit at the island.
...See More
Am I crazy to put dining room table against one side of the room?
Q
Comments (12)
Have you considered putting the table against the window the long way (see sketch in blue). There would be 40" of walk space if the hearth is 18" into the room. An indoor/outdoor is a great option that will anchor the table, add color as well as be the base for the room. I would also install either a long rod with stationary window panels on either side or short rods on either side of the window. The short rods would also have stationary panels. This will visually complete the windows. I would put an accent chair in the corner on the fireplace wall by the entry with an art piece above. A built-in bookshelf cabinet could be installed to the right of the firelace. Add a focal piece above the fireplace and you're all set!
...See More
PRO
RL Relocation LLC
2 years ago
KW PNW Z8
2 years ago
last modified: 2 years ago
Yes, drawing is great help but you know, a picture is worth 1,000 words! Wondering while looking at drawing - is it to scale? Wondering what bay window looks like & if buffet would fit well into that 24” deep inset space? If yes, then table, chairs & 2 chandeliers could move towards that long wall with nothing currently on it & provide more room on other side between bench & china cab. Or, could buffet just slide closer to corner of wall it’s on & give that one end chair more room? As far as centering pieces, seems more important to center table under chandelier or chandeliers as you’re adding another. I don’t think the table needs to be centered with either buffet or china cab. Can you switch the two pieces with china closer to corner of wall buffet is now on?
tina kauh
Original Author
2 years ago
@RL Relocation LLC and @KW PNW Z8 - thank you for the suggestions. i just added photos of the actual room. (sorry about the mess!) unfortunately, i can't put furniture in the bay window as the window is only a couple feet off the ground, and i don't want to block it with the buffet. and there's a large opening on the fourth wall (which i'm realizing i totally forgot to note in my drawing). and yes, the drawing is to scale (1/2 inch = 1 ft).
Jeanne Cardwell
2 years ago
I would put 66 inch buffet on long wall and shorter 60 hutch on short wall. I would center the table in the area that is 13 x 15.5. I would replace current chandelier but would not put 2 chandeliers.
KW PNW Z8
2 years ago
Yes, I agree nothing should be in front of that window! It really looks like there’s enough space between bench & china cab. I wouldn’t push the buffet any closer to corner either. Since you are adding another chandelier, why not slide table toward bay window so table is centered in the full length of room. This will eliminate the crowded feeling between end chair when table leaf extended. I would then also consider swapping positions of buffet & china - even though they have same sized footprint, the china is bulkier & might add to tight feeling behind bench. The buffet would also IMO be prettier to see from front door & that other room. You can easily test out this arrangement by moving furniture before installing new lights. Well, maybe not so easy as you’ll have to unload those pieces before moving! BTW, interesting table centerpiece! Surprised kitty doesn’t favor bench at window! 😉
tina kauh
Original Author
2 years ago
@KW PNW Z8 LOL, you have a very good eye to find the cat in the middle of all that mess! he normally sleeps on the bench (which is actually the only reason there's a bench there) but he got too hot and moved to the table. thank you for your suggestions!
KW PNW Z8
2 years ago
@tina kauh Good to know other people also arrange their homes for the convenience and comfort of their furry family members!
PRO
RL Relocation LLC
2 years ago
last modified: 2 years ago
ok, DO NOT put 2 chandeliers in this room!!!!!!!!!!! please ! if you think it feels crowded now..also the room the table do no need more "fixtures"
PRO
RL Relocation LLC
2 years ago
also i would put the bench on the outside by the step so it can be tucked in a bit more, might make it feel not so closed in?
PRO
RL Relocation LLC
2 years ago
PRO
RL Relocation LLC
2 years ago
wdccruise
2 years ago
Recommended distances behind table edge for armless chairs:
- Chair with seated person: 20"
- Arising and departing: 32"
- Edging past seated person: 36"
- Walking past seated person: 44"
Source: Time-Saver Standards for Interior Design and Space Planning

where to put dining room table if there's a bay window

Comments (14)

RL Relocation LLC

RL Relocation LLC

Related Discussions

RL Relocation LLC

KW PNW Z8

tina kauh
Original Author

Jeanne Cardwell

KW PNW Z8

tina kauh
Original Author

KW PNW Z8

RL Relocation LLC

RL Relocation LLC

RL Relocation LLC

RL Relocation LLC

wdccruise

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

where to put dining room table if there's a bay window

Comments (14)

Related Discussions

tina kauhOriginal Author

tina kauhOriginal Author

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

tina kauh
Original Author

tina kauh
Original Author