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Home Decorating Design Dilemma dining room

Flipping dining room and kitchen. Need help on small, awkward DR.

last month

We are flipping our dining room and kitchen. It will make a very bad layout much better. We have a tiny kitchen with an awkward layout. The wall between the two will be an enlarged opening spanning the width of the kitchen. Not quite totally open from floor to ceiling but ~100inch "doorway."

The new dining room (current kitchen) is very challenging. It measures 12ft x 10ft which would be ok for a ~72in x 48in table that could be expanded into kitchen with leaves when needed. However, I have a step down into the kitchen from the foyer as show in the drawing below. The drawing is to scale. The window is off-center on the wall as well.

So, I'm at a loss because that step is really in the way. I've thought about a banquette on the wall opposite the step but I'm not in love with that idea for a "formal" dining room. Hoping someone has some suggestions!

Featured Answer

PRO

Madden, Slick & Bontempo, Inc

last month

One idea - consider installing full height 12" deep cabinets flanking both sides of the step down. This would, in essence, change the dimensions of the room from 10x12 to 9x 12. Then center the dining room light over the new table postion. You would need to downsize the table's width to something more like 32-36" so that you can maintain at least 36" all around the table. I actually think the original width of 48" was too big for the 10' wide room. Can;t fix the off center window, but I would just do a simple treatment like a roman shade that doesn't draw a lot of attention to it but still looks done.

An example of full-height cabinets.

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Comments (10)

PRO
Patricia Colwell Consulting
last month
We need a to scale plan of both the spaces , we actaully did this in our home since I need a much bigger kitchen. The drawing you posted is fine and seems to be in scale but only 1/2 the issue. I like graph paper posted her ein jpeg format in a comment Show every window doorway where those lead and all measurements clearly marked DO NOT start another post . You also need to show how the plumbing will be handled for the kitcehn and a lot more electrical stuff added too.Even the plumbing stack needs to be addressed this is not just a simple exchange of spaces .
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I have a 1950s built home with a small dining room that opens into kitchen. It is about 9 1/2 ft by 12 ft and it is also a main path from kitchen to rest of of house... so we had quite a few factors to consider, like you do. What I discovered is that vintage dining room tables were much better sized for my space than contemporary (what is out there to buy now) tables! The vintage tables tend to be a little smaller in both actual size and in scale/features (less thick and heavy tops/legs). So I would definitely encourage you to consider looking on craigslist or FB Marketplace or even on ebay or Chairish for vintage dining tables. Chairish lets you set the dimensions you need and search that way. There are a ton out there in so many different styles and price points! I found a perfect (for us) expanding round to oval pedestal table with beautiful burlwood finish. The table is 42 inches wide and we keep one leaf in all the time (for a length of 62 inches) and can put the second leaf in when more than 2 friends or family members are over (for a total length of 82 inches). I chose an expanding pedestal because I was considering a banquette and didn't want table legs to fight with. We have since changed our minds and still the table is perfect. If I had your exact set up I would definitely do a banquette on your 92 inch wall. That would give you a little extra room for chairs and traffic between kitchen and table. You could have a bookshelf in the corner next to sliders for plants/serving pieces/art pieces, and the rest of that wall (or however much you needed) could be banquette. And an oval table would be ideal there to help with traffic flow/no sharp corners to bump into.
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J M
Original Author
last month
Patricia, we have a plan for kitchen. Plumbing and electrical is underneath both rooms in unfinished space. We are working with kitchen designer and contractor but this is more of a decorating question. Obviously the contractor can make some additional changes to dining room if need be.
J M
Original Author
last month
Thank you MS&B! That is an excellent idea. I had really wanted to use this oval Baker table that is 68x48 without the leaves but I think your idea would be much better.
Denise Marchand
last month
Yes you are correct, this is a tiny space for a dining room, but it can look like a jewel box.

I am a big fan on banquettes, as they save space and feel like a luxurious restaurant. You will have enough room to add a buffet on the foyer wall and a bar cabinet near the window. Here are some inspiration pics, which you can see that the space can still look formal depending on the decorations, art, accessories and lighting. The floor plan indicates a 84 x 40 pedestal table and can accommodate an additional two chairs without opening it with leaves. Extend an upholstered banquette beyond the table - don't just put a bench. You have that long wall that will be an important elevation.

I'm always inspired by small spaces and how they remind me of Paris, as the apartments are so small. Don't forget to add curtain panels ceiling to floor and don't skimp.
J M
Original Author
last month
I'm really a huge fan of what Madden proposed. We are planning on putting chair rail and picture frame molding below it on the window wall and wall behind the dining table. A chair rail is typically 32in from the floor. Should I ensure the base cabinets for the built-ins are 32inches high?
Denise Marchand
last month
Love Madden proposal, but be careful as there is not enough room to get around when people are sitting at table.
PRO
Madden, Slick & Bontempo, Inc
last month
I think your instincts are good in wanting to continue the horizontal line created by the wainscot around the room with the height of the base cabinets. Do you plan on doing custom cabinets? If so, you're good. If you are trying to use stock or semi-custom, you might need to adjust that height some. Regarding the room around the table - it's a tight dining room but it does meet design standards of a minimum of 36" all around. In a perfect world, we would all have enough space for everything, but things are seldom perfect in a remodel. That said, Denise does present a nice alternate plan and some beautiful examples.
J M
Original Author
last month
Cabinets in kitchen will be custom or semi-custom. If we must go custom for the dining room, I will probably bite the bullet and go custom for both spaces. Thanks so much for your help! I feel a lot better about this room!
PRO
Madden, Slick & Bontempo, Inc
last month
Happy to help! Good luck with your remodel and maybe post some pictures when it's finished.

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