Combining 2 spaces

8 years ago

Any thoughts on combining a living room and dining room to make it one large living room??

We rarely use the dining room and have a big eat in kitchen which really suffices. Would like to extend the living space and have more sitting room and looking for suggestions on how to furnish this since the front door is directly between the 2 rooms. Furniture placement has always been tricky. We have no foyer but a great covered porch which kind of serves as a foyer. and I have grown to accept that! We plan to rip up the carpet and redo the hardwood floors; would even consider tearing down the pony walls now separating the 2 rooms.

Thank you in advance for your suggestions!

Featured Answer

Susan Davis

8 years ago

I was wondering if you would be able to change out the front door to a center opening sliding door? It might involve weatherproofing the sun porch somewhat but I think it might give a more open feel to the rooms. Then the sunporch becomes an expansive foyer and opens up the rooms thru the siding glass to admit more light to the space.

Definitely remove the pony walls for a more open feel, or set them back on each side such that you can retain your pillars but only have them just into the room maybe one foot on each side, so you have some architectural interest in the room.

I do not know your budget but sliders can be economical; check out Lowe's and Home Depot for options and installation....also Costco does window sales and install too I believe.....anyway, just a suggestion.

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Comments (8)

Carol Singletary
8 years ago
I think we need more pictures and a floor plan (even just a rough sketch with measurements). Can you take pictures from each end shooting through the pony walls and across the entire space?

I suspect if you want the rooms joined, you will have to remove the division caused by the walls, but are they structural? I just can't tell.
Maria W
Original Author
8 years ago
Thanks for the input Carol. The 2 rooms combined measure 25X12. Here's some photos taken from each end. The walls are not structural - we had created that opening. The more I think about it, we probably would keep the opening the way it is. Appreciate your suggestions!
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Carol Singletary
8 years ago
These are much better pictures.
If I were to combine these spaces, I would still create two separate arrangements. Keep one room with the TV, and make the other room a space for conversation, reading or game/puzzle work, whatever is your preference. I'll be back with some inspiration pictures.
Carol Singletary
8 years ago
What about any of these looks?
Are you planning on buying new furniture? Repurposing what you have? Are you needing seating for lots of people? Are there kids? Is that a closet in the back corner of the dining room?
Maria W
Original Author
8 years ago
Yes, perfect! I'm very comfortable with that idea - been seeing a lot of "dining room conversions"! Thank you! We would definitely use if for reading, and the like. Would really love to be able to use it for simply additional "hang out" seating when the family is all together...and still be able to see the TV for football games and movies. Thanks again!
Maria W
Original Author
8 years ago
Yes, there is a closet. I was thinking of purchasing at minimum 2 matching chairs with an ottoman. The space is 9x12. Love that 3rd pic!
Maria W
Original Author
8 years ago
enough seating for 3 or 4 more - kids have their own space!