Software
Houzz Logo Print
dave_tisdale78

Small Dining Space Balance and Decor

8 years ago

Please help with balance and decor in my small dining area. It is a kitchen dining space combination. The dining area is also a walk-through to other areas in my home. The room seems very disjointed and unbalanced to me. This space has an 8' ceiling. The longer wall behind my table is 13' long. The width of the space is 10'3". There is a space of 3' between the table's edge and the long wall. There is 3' between the shorter edge of the table and the opening to the family room. There is a 4'5" space between the backs of the kitchen counter stools and the table's edge. The buffet does not fit between the table and the longer wall or on the shorter wall. I plan to keep the table and don't want to paint the woodwork. Any other changes to furniture and decor are okay. I prefer an uncluttered light space with a more modern country feel. The room seems very old-fashioned and boring. I like a neutral palette with lots of texture and very small pops of color. Suggestions with pics would be greatly appreciated as I have difficulty visualizing anything. Thank you!

View From Kitchen (A bedroom hall runs off the right side of the dining area)


View From Living Room Looking Into Family Room


View From Family Room Looking Into Living Room

Comments (19)

  • PRO
    8 years ago

    Medium saturation, rich paint color, new "statement" light fixture hung lower, new chairs to give the table a fresh pairing, new landscape dimension art piece :)

    Dave Tisdale thanked Color Zen
  • 8 years ago

    The ideas sound good but I don't know what a "statement" light fixture is, what new chairs would look like, or what a new landscape dimension art piece is.

  • PRO
    8 years ago

    I like your table and chairs, but your light fixture could be lower - I generally recommend 30-36" above the table top. Be sure that the light is on a dimmer. The cabinet (with mirror above) feels out of place - is it absolutely necessary for storage or could you move it somewhere else? For storage you could put a tall skinny cabinet in place of the little corner table. A large painting, a tryptich, or a gallery wall of pictures would look nice on the long wall.

    Dave Tisdale thanked Design Directives, LLC
  • 8 years ago

    I like your table & chairs. The framed art and the mirror are fighting for attention on the same wall. Landscape art, as Color Zen suggested, means art that is horizontal, not vertical (portrait). (I think that's what she means). It should be a larger piece of art than what you now have. If you have an electrical outlet, a lamp on the buffet table. And the little round one doesn't seem to serve a purpose there. Definitely move that one out.

    Dave Tisdale thanked mjconti
  • 8 years ago
    Our dining room is almost exact same dimensions. I would remove the buffet and the corner table. I would clad the wall behind table in shiplap to give it architectural interest in keeping with modern country style. I would change out light fixture.

    Hand Crafted Ceiling Beams · More Info
    Dave Tisdale thanked Betsy McIntyre
  • 8 years ago
    That wasn’t my dining room by the way! Just examples from Houzz with shiplap walls.

    Sandy Springs, GA · More Info
    Dave Tisdale thanked Betsy McIntyre
  • 8 years ago
    My Houzz: DIY Updates Add Rustic Farmhouse Touches to a Home · More Info
    Dave Tisdale thanked Betsy McIntyre
  • 8 years ago

    The light fixture is on a dimmer and the bottom of the light fixture is 32" above the table top. Maybe the angle of the picture is misleading. I could move the cabinet out of the space. How large should a single piece of artwork be? Would an arrangement of African baskets on the wall look okay in this room? Or other dimensional art?

  • 8 years ago

    I like the idea of adding wood to the wall but don't know how to tie it in with the existing wood trim. The trim is consistent throughout my house and I don't want to paint it.

  • 8 years ago

    Thank you for your suggestions. I was thinking of removing the buffet and table in the corner. I agree that different art and a new light fixture would help. Now it's a matter of finding the right pieces. Thanks you for the info on artwork proportion to the table length. The current fixture is centered to the art wall.

  • 8 years ago

    Where do I find reasonably priced art for a gallery wall?

  • 8 years ago
    Here’s a list of art sources, this is an article on the website buzzfeed.com, this list was updated in November 2017.

    https://www.buzzfeed.com/jessicaprobus/buy-more-art?utm_term=.bpO4WjYWN#.pjjjqbVqX
    Dave Tisdale thanked Bette P
  • 8 years ago

    Art.com has thousands of art prints. Giclee prints are the best quality. I've purchased several in the past. You will truly enjoy browsing their site, even if you are just looking for ideas of what you like! Browse your favorite subject, artist, style. You can order them (usually at a reduced price), then mat & frame them yourself. They can be ordered framed, but much more expensive than buying your own frames & mats at Michael's, Joanne Fabrics, etc. if you stick to standard sizes especially if you are planning a gallery wall.

  • 8 years ago

    I would look for a series of 3 16x20 prints to put on your wall behind the table. It will be much more reasonably priced than a larger piece of art. If you're going to add statement art behind to the wall, I'd keep the light fixture simple and open. How do you feel about a fixture like this?

    http://www.lampsplus.com/products/cove-point-34-and-one-half-inch-wide-open-frame-rectangular-chandelier__1f003.html

    I like the idea of a taller, slim cabinet in the corner to store whatever you have in your buffet.

    I would search Etsy for downloadable prints that can be custom sized so you can use standard framing.

    Dave Tisdale thanked katinparadise
  • 8 years ago

    I found a print at Art.com that I like. Would either a 36" x 24" or a 54" x 36" print work in my dining space. The table measures 60" x 38"


  • 8 years ago
    Awesome. I would go big. Before you order, tape a newspaper template on the wall to try it for size. Try gallery height first, 57” height for the middle, the top of the frame would be 75” up from the floor. Add a pic if you like.
    Dave Tisdale thanked Bette P
  • 8 years ago

    Taping it out will give you a good idea of how it feels.

    Dave Tisdale thanked katinparadise
  • PRO
    8 years ago

    A new chandelier a a bigger piece of art might work well to add interest and make your dining room more balanced.

    Chaplin Crescent Estates · More Info

    Royal York Renovation and Decoration: Dining Room · More Info

    Dave Tisdale thanked Lumar Interiors
Sponsored
Hope Restoration & General Contracting
Average rating: 4.7 out of 5 stars35 Reviews
Columbus Design-Build, Kitchen & Bath Remodeling, Historic Renovations