living/dining room unused space help

LilLee11

Hi all! Im hoping you can help me out. We've lived in our house for 3 years and every time I think about updates I cringe bc of my "formal" living room and dining room. It's a big chunk of our square footage that we just don't use. I thought about making the living room a playroom, but because its right off the front door I've tried to go away from it, so we turned our loft into a playroom. I do still have toys in our family room, so I could potentially move them to the living room, but I'd rather not. We also have an office upstairs already. Im just at a loss because like I said, that's a big portion of our living space that hardly ever gets touched. I would still like to keep the dining room. I know I could put some chairs or a setee in the living room, but thats just buying furniture to fill a space that still wont get used. KWIM? 

Here are some pics!  

[IMG]http://i42.tinypic.com/2n7i4p.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i41.tinypic.com/2m5ia1x.jpg[/IMG] 

Sue-n-Kevin

I think you've reached the point in time where you have space that serves no purpose, but it's emptiness is screaming out "Fill me, fill me".

Most people who have a home large enough to have a formal living and a family room fill the living room with a nice "conversation/looks pretty" set up. It's something that you will use for entertaining guests when you have a large gathering, but there's no tv watching going on. Thinking of the "reason/purpose" of the place helps you figure out what to do.

If it were me, early in my married life at a young age, I'd probably go look at Ikea, who has really inexpensive but nice furniture, for some "sitting around/conversation furniture". You could get a small love seat and a chair, and a coffee table for probably under $500-$600 if you wanted. I don't work for Ikea, but love their design and prices. They are "budget friendly" with good quality. You could set up the new furniture so people sitting on it could easily speak to each other. I'd set up the sofa to face the lovely china cabinet you have, the chair perpendicular to the sofa & china cabinet, facing the other chair and small table under the window. Put the coffee table in the middle. A rug, probably 5 x 8 feet under the coffee table will create a unified look.

While Ikea style tends to be modern, they do have some pieces that would work. Or, if you have a local store (even a secondhand store like Goodwill or Salvation Army) that has affordable pieces that you prefer, you could get the same things. I've also shopped on wayfair.com.  

At some point you have to start filling the areas that are blank in your home. There's really no urgency. If it bugs you, that's what I'd recommend. This may be an area that doesn't get used a lot unless you are hosting for a holiday or party. But when your kids get older and you entertain other adults and the kids can be in the family room, you'll appreciate having a place where adults can talk, LOL.  

 

gymbugmj2k

Quick question -- what do guests do when they arrive in your home?  Is there a coat closet/bench/chair nearby?  I THINK I see a wall-rack, but I'm not sure. 

One option for that space is simply an entryway.  A low profile storage bench would be a great piece under that window.  It serves as a place for guests to adjust shoes, put down a bag, leave a purse, etc.  You can use the storage for umbrellas, hats, gloves, shoes, etc.

Depending on your routine, this could also be a "command center" or "homework" type of place with the family calendar, small desk, reminders for kids, etc.  This keeps them out of your office, yet still having a designated spot for important school papers, and other things.

How often do you entertain?  That is also a great place for a small sofa and coffee table, or 2 chairs and endtable.  I'm not sure about the rest of your layout -- but this is typically a great place for school-aged kids to play a board game or cards while the adults talk at the dining table.

 

I do love the open room, since you can turn and extend your table if needed.  But another option is to put the china cabinet in the middle of the room to divide the space into dining room and entryway (or other 'purposeful' space).  Not my favorite option since I prefer open spaces -- but it may work for you.

It might sound silly, but a larger rug under your dining table may help THAT area of the room feel bigger, so that the living room not seem so open/deserted?