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Dining Room Layout Problem

by jett
(pgh pa)

My dining room is 8x15 feet long. One wall has the front door, a section of wall, and a large picture window in it.

Then at the bottom of the picture window I have 3 steps, a landing, and then more steps to the upstairs.

Right behind the 3 steps is where the picture (large) window is located.

Also at the other end there is a doorway into the kitchen and on the other wall a doorway to the basement (same wall as steps, just at the other end of room)

On the other wall is the opening to the living room which is an angled opening of about 6 feet which is right across from the front door.

When you come in the front door you can walk right into the living room or turn left straight into the dining room.

No matter where I put my furniture I cant get it to look right. No matter where I put the furniture it seems to look terrible.

PLEASE HELP!

Christmas is coming and my room looks horrible,

Thankyou




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Dining Room Layout Problem

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Dec 07, 2010
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Getting the Layout Right.... or detract with a Focal Point!
by: Charlotte

Hi Jett

Layout can be a big challenge in lots of rooms, especially in rooms that need to be a thoroughfare as well as a space for eating, relaxing etc.

Sometimes you may need to make compromises between practicality and looks - perhaps the room looks better in a certain layout, but it makes it more difficult to maneuver around? Or when you get these practicalities right, you don't like the way it looks?

Perhaps you need to decide to make a compromise and choose which aspect of your layout design you prefer to concentrate on - looks or practicality.

Personally, and perhaps unusually, I would always go for practicality and comfort over the looks - I think you need to make sure you have the space to move around sensibly and safely - there are always ways that you can brighten up a room - or detract attention from an awkward feature.

Creating a new focal point can often help with this - choose something eye-catching that, quite literally, takes attention right away to this point. A large artwork or wall hanging is perfect in many cases...

...or in a dining room it would be natural to focus attention on the dressing of your dining table - with cloths, flowers, table arrangements, whatever...

You don't say what furniture you have in your dining room - perhaps you need to re-think this? Do you have too much? Perhaps differently sized furniture would fit better?

You can always sell your existing furniture and use the proceeds to invest in some furniture that fits your dining room perfectly.

A good start would be to actually measure the room and put down on paper a plan of how the room actually is.

It is then quite easy to try out all different layouts with existing (or planned) furniture drawn to scale, to see how it might work in your room.

This is all much easier than it sounds - I promise!

Take a look at my pages on furniture arrangement and layout with lots of tips on how to position furniture, how to draw your layout plan and hints on ideal spacings in your home.

Continues on comment below....

Dec 07, 2010
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Continues from above comment
by: Charlotte

Continues from above comment...


Do you want the table in the center of the room? Or would it create less problems pushed up to a wall? Or how about taking advantage of the view from that picture window while you eat?

Perhaps pushing the table up to a wall while not in use, but pulling it into the center for meals would be an option?

Hope these help you with your room layout problems and you can have a Merry Christmas in it.

Also...

Take a look at my page on table decorating ideas for inspiration to make the Christmas dinner table the focal point of your room.

More ideas for decorating your dining room, here...

You may also find helpful some of the information on open plan living and dining as this deals with the idea of your dining room also being used as a thoroughfare area.

Hope these help.

Have a lovely Christmas

Best wishes

Charlotte :o)

P.S. Do come back with more details and ask more questions if you're still stuck once you've drawn the plan and thought about how you would like to arrange your room....




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