Should we close off the formal dining room?

9 years ago

We're most likely purchasing a new build that's already framed and sheetrocked, but the builder has given us some freedom in designing what we wanted - which was 3 bedrooms plus an office. It's currently 3 BR. This home would be ready to move into by the time we relocate in two months, so we are really trying to make it work. There is a smaller nook off the kitchen that could be our dining area, and then a huge formal dining room that he said he could make enclosed to be an office space.

It's large, and beautiful, so I feel like it's almost a shame to close it up. It has 2 half wall openings right off of the entry, and then a large opening in which we would create pocket doors.

Are there any potential options for shutters or something that would allow us to open and close this room completely off (the half wall portion)? It would be more of a den/extra entertainment space than office, but still would house most of our 'office' furniture.

The first photo is the view coming in from the entry, and the second is the view from the entrance of the 'dining room'.

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Kris Mays

9 years ago

Can the small room off the kitchen be your office?

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Comments (8)

Rawketgrl
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
If you are going to make the room your office you will need to be able to completely close it off at times for noise control. I dislike talking on the phone in my office with someone nearby with the tv on it is distracting. So build glass doors and windows in. You can add window coverings as needed for light control, privacy and decor. Make sure they open or are decorative and you will have lots of options for your 'flex' room.
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Emily Jowers
9 years ago
If it's going to be used as an actual office, I'd close it all up with glass French doors. I think it would be better with the doors on the entry side. If it's more of a second living space, it would be nice to open it on the entry side and close it on the other wall that's current open. But I might not have a good grasp of the space.
Emily Jowers
9 years ago
I think lightening this room would help a lot. You could do that by adding a lighter colored rug or maybe painting the fireplace surround white. The brownish fireplace and gray walls don't go together too well. I think a comforter or duvet would make it a bit cozier. If you don't like heavier bedding, a lighter colored quilt with a knit throw could work.
Emily Jowers
9 years ago
A comfy chair with a quilt or throw would be great in the nook by the fireplace where all the windows are. You could throw down a fuzzy rug under it for even more coziness. If you moved the bookshelf over there, it would be a great reading spot. (I love the jewel-tone green chair. It goes great with dark colors while adding a great pop of color)
Allison B
Original Author
9 years ago
Kris - The way it's set up, sadly no. The room off the kitchen won't work as an office.

Rawketgirl- I guess I should have mentioned that neither of us work from home much, but right now we have an enclosed basement space with bookcases, a desk, and two chairs. My husband thinks we can treat it as more of a 'parlor' or den - extra space for entertaining, but it would be nice to have the option to close it off completely. We'll have to explore the window idea! And those last pocket doors are GORGEOUS.
Emily Jowers
9 years ago
Sorry those last two were definitely written on a different thread...not sure how they ended up here.
Rawketgrl
9 years ago
I had a flex room in a house I was renting a few years ago, gosh I loved it. Big sliding glass doors. Craftsman style. I used it as a library with a round table, comfy chairs and down lights with an electric fireplace it was so cute, my friends and I always ended up in there to play cribbage, talk and drink wine.
During the time I live there, with just a few furniture changes as needed, the room served as a dining room for big family gatherings, a cozy hang out spot/game room, reading room/library, and a guest room with a blow up bed. I put up panel curtains on a wide rod and the curtains sat completely off to the sides of the doors so it was mostly just a big wide open space, but when more intimacy or privacy was wanted it was easy to close off.