Making formal less formal

13 years ago

I have a formal living room and dining room which never really get used. Dining room is now used for homework and office/working from home. Our kitchen is not really big enough to comfortably sit another family of 4 (8 total) for dinner so we eat in shifts - kids then adults rather than use the dining room. Eating in a formal dining room with paper plates for hot dogs and hamburgers seems silly. I would love to make my formal dining room the eating area for my kitchen and my living room an office/den area.

My husband is very traditional and feels formal rooms are required to sell our home which we won't be selling for probably another 10 years. He is OK with making our living room more of an office/den. I would love to take down the wall between the kitchen and dining room and open it up to one big kitchen/eating area. The other problem is my inlaws bought our dining room set and I don't think my husband will get rid of it.

Any suggestions on the dining room issue? Could we dress down what we have? I guess I'll have to settle for not tearing down any walls. What are trends for a home of this size (about 2700 sq ft in MD) with formal space? Our formal rooms are quite large and it seems such a waste.

Featured Answer

hegets

13 years ago

I always believe that every room should be ived in and enjoyed! You have a very nice dining room set, it is hard to see your china cabinet, but I would suggest using it as a display for things you enjoy and not just the traditional dispaly of china and crystal..this will help you begin de-formalizing. I would add a sidboard or sofa table w/drawers against the opposite wall and use that to store the kids homework items. I would also put in a more casual light fixture and drapes..save this one for re-sale.
once you get the "formal" out of your head it will become easier.

You have a beautiful living room, again I would just change out the formal style drapes and the formal pictures. perhaps lining one wall with bookcases and use this room as a reading room or place to gather and play games. I have 4 kids and have always used everyroom in our home! Dont get caught up in "formal" use the rooms to best suit your family and enjoy your home!

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Comments (6)

Darzy
13 years ago
last modified: 13 years ago
I like your idea of turning your formal living room into your den/office/library. I'd install french doors (you'll have to remove the arches) on the entry side, as well as the dining room side so you can close it off when you want. To make your dining room less formal, I'd move the furniture into the living room. Use the hutch as the library books, office supplies, etc. You can even use the dining room table as the library table. (arrangement is another topic) That way, you can de-formalize the dining room by removing the valances (or new window treatments), painting the walls the same color as your kitchen walls, and even extend the kitchen flooring into the "new" dining space. Adding a less formal round table and chandy will tie the dining and kitchen together. Round tables are more intimate and, to me, less formal. Do you have pictures of your kitchen you can show?
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sotodog
Original Author
13 years ago
Darzy - The kitchen needs some help too but I am not ready to drop $25k+ to redo since everything is functional. My kitchen is 14 years old in Jan. The paint color is awful for the room. We have natural maple cabinets with a dark laminate counter and light linoleum floor. I would love to get new flooring on the entire first floor but not sure what to put in the kitchen. I would like a darker wood in LR and DR but not sure about extending into the kitchen. I have added pictures of kitchen, another angle on DR, and the entry foyer as they are all somewhat connected. One thing I really love about the LR is that it gets a lot of light and our FR in the back of the house faces north and is very dreary after 11 or 12.

I was thinking that maybe if I add different chairs to the DR table it might make it less formal. Any suggestions?
PRO
House to Home Interiors
13 years ago
Work on neutralizing the traditional colour scheme to earthier tones throughout your main floor to add a more casual feel to the rooms. The window treatments in both rooms are definitely setting a formal mood. Opt for simpler side panels with simple hardware in oil rubbed bronze or antiqued brass.Using natural fabrics like linen and cottons will also help add a casual vibe.Don't forget to update your dining room chair seats too. I love your wainscotting, but it does tend to be more traditional. In your dining room try a neutral toned wallpaper with a large open print on a light background. It will open up the dining room too and balance the dark wood. ( Candice Olsen wallpapers are beautiful and modern with a nod to traditional). Add colourful accessories to tie in the pallet you chose in each room. Look for modern Ikat prints for pillows and add contemporary art/ unframed canvases to give your rooms a more youthful mood.
sotodog
Original Author
13 years ago
I was thinking a chair like this would look nice and be less formal. It might honestly be more comfortable too http://www.efurnitureshowroom.com/nailhead-parsons-chair-kleen-seat-grey-bassett-mirror-dpch14-740-prod-33157.html?gclid=CLa58tyXvbMCFQWe4AodjQkA1Q. No worries about spilled food either.
mollythecollie
13 years ago
I would definitely change the window treatments to something less formal. You can keep them for when you want to sell your home. I can not imagine eating hamburgers and hotdogs over white (by my monitor) carpet. What about adding a rug under the table that is less formal? You are receiving many excellent ideas.