very echoey box of a dining room

last year

last modified: last year

We recently bought a house and moved in. We did some minor updates beforehand but didn’t have time for everything. Current project is the dining room. The problem is it’s all hard surfaces. Wood (parquet) floor, we took the 80’s window treatments down, and our chairs are wood too. I don’t want to put up any curtains because already it’s way too dim in there due to a large tree outside the window. It’s a cave in summer and I am not willing to sacrifice even a couple inches of window if I hang curtains. Privacy isn’t an issue.
So I thought I would get a rug, but in order to have it the correct size for the table it would also run under my buffet which I understand is a decor faux pas.

So my question is, how can we control the noise in there? Our table can seat 10-12 and when the room is that full it’s pretty much a cacophony. When not extended the table is about 48x80. The whole room is 8 by 11’ 8” and has two doorways (to kitchen and living room). Anyone have any noise reducing ideas for me?

edit: the room dimensions are 14’ by 11’ 8”

Featured Answer

la_la Girl

last year

I understand not wanting to block the light - could you hang the curtains on the outside edge of the window? Extending them past the window so the opening looks larger

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Comments (40)

ffpalms
last year
You could ignore the decor faux pas of a rug extending under the buffet, in favor of a quieter dining experience. You can also put felt pads on the chair legs if you don’t want a rug. A large tapestry on the wall would also absorb some sound.
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ffpalms
last year
I just got these tips from kylieminteriors.ca.
Erica J
Original Author
last year
I wondered about curtains hung like that but I wasn’t sure if that was ok. That would certainly help!
I am actually shopping for new dining chairs but not particularly wanting upholstered ones as I have young kids.
Plants, I have one large one and one small one in there and am always happy to add more of those!
Probably once it’s finished, art hung etc it will all help. It’s been a bit unloved ever since we moved and now it’s finally getting attention. Good point on the canvas vs solid artwork.
I should look at tapestries too. I have a vintage Navajo rug I want to hang up somewhere but it doesn’t go with the wallpaper I ordered.
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BeverlyFLADeziner
last year
You can add draperies that are stacked in front of the wall instead of the window which will absorb sound provided you make the pleats in the drapery deep enough.

You can add canvas stretched art to your walls instead of glass framed prints to help absorb sound.

I find it hard to believe you can get 10-12 people around a table in a room that is that small and still have room for a buffet. You can add table lamps with fabric shades to the buffet

A chandelier that has some fabric shades could also help.
la_la Girl
last year
just a plug for cotton velvet dining chairs- we had them when our boys were little and they wore like iron (we still have them) - for extra messy dinners, we threw down a towel the same color as the velvet
freedomplace1
last year
last modified: last year
Wall to wall carpeting. It can work well in such a situation.

https://www.houzz.com/photos/carpeted-dining-room-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_722~a_47-362
Design Fan
last year
You can have a custom size rug cut and the edges bound at a good carpet store.
ShadyWillowFarm
last year
If you turn on the lights you won’t have a problem with lighting. Very few rooms are truly bright enough without some artificial light, especially in the winter.
Erica J
Original Author
last year
It is kind of tight, I hadn’t realized that until thanksgiving day when I sat on the side by the buffet. If I had another spot to put it I would move it.
I’m going to start with curtains hung to the side as far as I possibly can make it look ok. Then “soft” decor.
A table lamp is a great idea if I keep the buffet in there- fabric plus light!
In winter we do have the light on in there much of the time but it just goes against me to have to turn on lights in the summer when it’s so bright everywhere except there!
Regarding carpeting, it’s actually a really nice floor and I hate to cover it, an area rug is as big as I would consider.
marmiegard_z7b
last year
I don’t quite get a 48” wide table in 8’ wide DR. But I understand having a favorite table.
However if it’s 8’ plus need room for chairs, then for a rug it seems like it would need to go nearly to the wall , and maybe be semi- custom sized, so perhaps a low-pile patterned carpet remnant with binding ( including subtle patterns & tweeds) may be the way to go.
However with kids & if using DR daily I would think it would be hard to clean there because so little room to move furniture around.
If you line the drapes idea, and I’m the same way about window preservation- the previous owner of my home had drapes on rods sized so 4-6” of every window side was covered when fully opened—then you might do drapes first, probably heavier than sheets though, for sound—even a wall hanging ( Anthroplogie is often recommended) and see where that gets you. Plus if you are able to do handsome drapes the way you like, remember that they can be closed after dark , which is cozier than black- looking window glass AND gives more sound absorption.
marmiegard_z7b
last year
Sorry for auto- corrects. Saying “ sheer” drapes (not sheets) might not do enough !
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Erica J
Original Author
last year
Apparently I misread the measuring tape. 🤦🏼‍♀️ There’s a reason my husband is the carpenter in this family, not me!
The room is 11’ 8” by 14’. Does that make more sense?
njmomma
last year
You will get more help by posting pictures of your dining room and the dimensions of the room. Help those who are helping you 😁
Erica J
Original Author
last year
I’m going to try to get pictures soon!
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freedomplace1
last year
Nice floor or not a nice floor, wall to wall carpeting is the best for sound dampening, as well as for toddlers.
RedRyder
last year
Post photos and a measured layout of the room on graph paper. You will get more specific help that way.

This is a common problem when you have hardwood floors and no window treatments. Think “fabric” when choosing items for this room. An area rug is absolutely going to absorb sound, AND make a design statement. The right size can be suggested with a picture of the room’s measurement and the size of the furniture.

Beverly gave you great ideas!
J Mig
last year
You can actually order acoustic tiles and pick artwork on them. They are about 200 to 600 each. We are looking at these for our conference room at my office, because the new owners took down the large rug that was on the wall that reduced all of the echoes.
Melissa L
last year
Yes to tapestries and large artworks!

No to carpet in the dining room, where food and drink will presumably be spilled, making the carpet gross.
marmiegard_z7b
last year
Oh yeah. Those measurements are a lot better. I was wondering.
freedomplace1
last year
It really depends on how people and their guests live...

The same issue can apply to any rug used in a dining room/area. And most area rugs are not going to provide the same level of sound dampening (and cushioning) as wall to wall.

Btw, there are eco-friendly carpets, stain resistant carpets - plus, FYI, carpets can be cleaned.
Kendrah
last year
If you go with a carpet, a rug pad underneath will also help dampen the sounds. Yes, totally wise to hang curtains that don't actually cover the windows. Can you show us pics of your furniture? Knowing the style will help us figure out if you can find some kind of seat cushion that could accommodate kid messes. When you entertain do you use a full table cloth? What do you have table pads that you put underneath? That would help a lot too.
chispa
last year
You can't go wrong with a patterned wool area rug that can be easily spot cleaned. Area rugs can be lifted and cleaned from above and below. I would never want wall to wall carpet in a dining room or any heavily used used rooms.
RedRyder
last year
Agree with @chispa about good wool area rugs. Kids and animals all make a mess, yet houses and area rugs have survived.

I am a huge fan of Resolve. Removed a lot of cat throw ups when our kitty got older. My rugs still look great.

The key is buying good wool rugs. (Alternative: inexpensive rugs to be replaced when the kids go to college/move out.)
latifolia
last year
Get a tree surgeon in to see if the tree blocking the light can be pruned. It's not uncommon for people to let trees grow to a point where they're touching the house, dropping leaves in the gutter, threatening the foundation, etc.
Erica J
Original Author
last year
I’ve never had a rug or carpet in my dining room and it took me a bit to even consider an area rug but then I don’t have the “correct” clearance for a rug. I would do it for sound reduction though.
With all due respect I will not put wall to wall carpet in a dining room.
I often use a tablecloth when entertaining, not always.
The tree is lovely but maybe it could use a pruning. I think it’s far enough away to not compromise the house but I’m not a pro obviously.
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Erica J
Original Author
last year
If I can I’m going to get pics this afternoon.
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freedomplace1
last year
last modified: last year
Look, you asked for suggestions about sound reduction. I gave you one. I also gave you a Houzz link with pics of any number of dining rooms that have carpeting. Carpeting in a dining room is not unheard of. And in fact, I grew up in a house in NYC, built in 1910 - 8 bedroom 5 bathroom house, and guess what ? We had carpeting in the dining room. Nobody died. We vacuumed and had carpet cleaning service. Granted, we did not use the dining room often. And yes, our dining table could seat 10-12 people. And when we entertained more formally, we used it. And neither we nor our guests were throwing food on the floor or spilling anything. We also set up the buffet with food for some of the gatherings, and people took plates of food and ate in living room or dining room or on porch or outside in backyard, etc. Again, no food mishaps on carpeting.

Wall to wall is the best thing for sound dampening. Look it up. But really... you do not have to use carpeting in your dining room. However, “with all due respect” if you don’t want suggestions for your “echoing” problem - don’t post on a public forum where you might get one.
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Erica J
Original Author
last year
Thank you for your input. I also grew up in a house with carpet in the dining room.
Erica J
Original Author
last year
Ok i got pictures and some measurements. Excuse the wall in mid wallpaper removal mode. Note- the buffet normally sits against the wallpaper wall. As shown in the drawing.

Also disclaimer: you probably won’t get an idea of my style from these pictures because I dislike the table but it‘s staying, and the chandelier which is going away.

I like midcentury modern, Scandinavian, or eclectic/boho but not too cluttered or strongly colored.
ffpalms
last year
By my calculations, the rug should be 9.5’ x 13’ to allow 3’ around the table and stop short of the buffet. This gives only a 6” border of floor on three sides.
Erica J
Original Author
last year
Ok I hadn’t taken the time to do the math but that’s not much floor left then!
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RedRyder
last year
A 9x12 size is easy to find and will cover a lot of the floor. That will help reduce the echo-y feeling and will definitely absorb sound.

The best way to figure out the size you want is to lay out newspaper and use painter’s tape to hold it down. Then you’ll see how much floor is covered.
ffpalms
last year
Here’s a few ideas to consider.
Erica J
Original Author
last year
Lovely! I was just looking at that rug or one very similar on Black Friday.. should have gotten it!
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chispa
last year
Don't forget a good rug pad. Get the type that is felt on both sides, but one side is slightly "rougher". The pads with rubber on one side can damage certain types of floors, specially these days when you have no clue what the quality of that rubber might be.
Kendrah
last year
Remind me why you don’t want pads on your seats. I know younhave kids but there are plenty of wipeable ones, pads will look fine with this style, and it is an easy way to get a lot of foam in here for sound absorption.

Are you keeping the amazing grace sign and what is it made of? If it is stretched canvass on a frame, adhere foam to the back imaide of the whole picture. It will serve as an acoustic panel. Put a quilted runner down the middle of your table too, or a cork runner. Cork placemats are great too.
Erica J
Original Author
last year
I think I mentioned I wasn’t really looking at upholstered chairs as in a full cloth seat/back etc but chair pads would be doable for sure. The amazing grace sign may be rehomed, it’s made from an old wooden table top so probably not the best option for sound reduction. I have one runner that was in the laundry in these pics but I should look at cork/quilted.
RedRyder
last year
Pick a rug before you choose the chair pads. The rug is the big design statement.

My kitchen chairs are Windsor-type and hard as a rock. We have pads that tie in and are washable.
Kendrah
last year
Yep, that old table top artwork is doing no favors in the echo department. Donate it and look for a large canvass artwork to which you can attach foam to the back.