Kitchen Nook Help Please

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Kitchen Nook Help Please

by Wanda
(Shreveport, LA)

Small apartment, very small kitchen nook, need ideas to make pub style table and area look more attractive.

I use this space to eat, study and pay bills.

Would love decorating tips.

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Kitchen Nook Help Please

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Mar 09, 2011
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Making a nook feel more spacious....
by: Charlotte

Hi Wanda

Is that a tall table and bar stools? Or a low window? Can't quite make it out! :o/

If it's a tall table, is it possible for a joiner to take a little off the legs to make it a 'normal' height table? I think it would look better against the window then...

This may depend on budget and on the actual shape and type of leg, as to whether it's possible...

...or perhaps the legs could be removed entirely and some new legs fitted?

If not, or if you don't wish to change the height, (which would then, of course, mean new stools too!), it doesn't matter - there's still lots to consider, (things which I would also do if you did decide you would like the table to be a little lower, in any case)...

I would recommend pulling it (the table) out slightly, so that it's central in the window, for a more balanced arrangement...

...also, pulling the table out just that tiny bit (which will hardly make any difference to the space in the apartment) will give the illusion that you have so much space in your home you don't need to have everything cramped right up against the walls/corners, as it's so small.

Dark colors can be difficult in small spaces - even for furniture - dark colors look bulky, and absorb light, so make the space seem smaller and darker - which, as a small-home owner myself, I know (from experience!) is a bad thing!

Consider painting the table, or simply covering it with a white, cream or pale colored table cloth will really help with this (you could just paint the legs, plus stools)...

...you can choose a simple, traditional, draped tablecloth, or pin an oil cloth (tightly) over the top (use roundheaded upholstery pins, like below...)

...or here's a sewing project for a similar, neat looking oilcloth tablecloth:

Click here to see the tablecloth sewing project (opens in a new window)

You could also cover your bar stool seats with the same, or similar fabric, or oilcloth, to match.

Continues on next comment...

Mar 09, 2011
Rating

Continues from above comment
by: Charlotte

Continues from above...

I think, personally, I would take the plant down, and sit it onto the table top instead, or swap for a nice vase of flowers (real or fake!)...

...I think that hanging like that, it adds to the feel of the nook being a dark, almost cave-like corner, whereas keeping the upper parts of the room clear, would make the ceiling feel higher, and give a lighter and brighter feel.

I'm also wondering whether the dark pelmet (or is it a Roman blind?) also adds to this darkening and lowering of the ceiling...

Perhaps some paler, sheer, or voile, curtains hanging either side of the window would emphasise the height of the room, create an attractive focal point from the window/table arrangement (centrally positioned now, too!)...

...and provide a handy disguise for the fire extinguisher on the wall too, whilst still keeping it accessible, of course.

If you needed storage for any of your paperwork, I think a couple of narrow shelves could easily be put on the wall without the window, painted pale.

I hope some of these ideas help you, Wanda. I think you've got a nice, compact little eating area there...

...eating and studying by the window must be nice, whatever your view - I hope it's a nice view though!

It won't take much at all to make it into an attractive and more spacious-feeling corner.

Good luck with the makeover, and do come back and ask again if you have any further questions, or need any more help.

Best wishes

Charlotte :o)

Mar 10, 2011
Rating

Needs lightening up...
by: Caroline

It needs lightening up, take down the plant and the blind, and refresh the walls with a coat of light reflecting paint, I would also paint the table and chairs.

Hope this helps.

Caroline

Mar 11, 2011
Rating

Nook
by: Wanda

Thanks Charlotte, that hanging plant does seem
to take away rather than add to the space.

I'll try your suggestion to move the table away from the window and center it.

The table is tall with bar stools, but I like the height. You have given me good ideas to play around with.

Wanda

Mar 11, 2011
Rating

Lightening Up
by: Wanda

Hi Caroline, thanks for the tips, it is a rather
dark area.

I like the the look and feel of the black faux marble table top, however I will apply your suggestions to look for ways to lighten up
the area.

Wanda

Mar 11, 2011
Rating

You're Welcome!
by: Charlotte

You're very welcome Wanda - good luck with the mini-makeover - and do come back and let us know how you get on, or if you'd like further help.

Charlotte :o)

Ideas for lightening up dark rooms

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Kitchen Nook Help Please

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Kitchen Nook Help Please