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knecht6

Dining Room Table Suggestions?

8 years ago

Super stuck. Working on updating and decorating an outdated home. First pic below I'll call "living room" (please ignore the furniture and mirror in this room; I'm trying to replace it all). Was this room, right off the entry, supposed to be a formal dining room or a tiny "sitting room"? I'd like to use the space for dining, but hubby thinks it would be weird. I realize I would have to lower the chandelier so it's closer to the table (not sure how I'll manage that, as I no longer have the rest of the chain that came with it).


Also, I would love suggestions for dining tables that seat 8 and would flow with my family room's style (see second photo; I've already sold the chesterfield leather sofa and ordered a light, neutral sofa much like my cream chairs in style). I think a rectangle or round table seating 8 would work in the space. In living room, chandeliers and curtain rods are espresso, so I'd like to stick with an espresso table. I just need style ideas, and we're at the end of our budget, so ideas under $1000 would be appreciated. I already have parson chairs that I might slipcover cream. LR walls are SW Grassland. Thanks a million.



Comments (16)

  • 8 years ago

    What is the size of that room?

  • 8 years ago

    Beam to front door wall: 108"

    Beam to LR wall: 142.5"

    Walls across from beams: 80" and 43"

    Piano wall: 121"

    Beam to where piano wall turns: 23"

    84" between the two beams

    Thanks for asking, and I hope this helps.

  • 8 years ago

    Put more simply, it's about a 9 x 12 room, in general (with one of the corners cut off diagonally--not sure what that's called).

  • 8 years ago


    A designer called my style "industrial/traditional." Is this dining table too rustic/industrial to flow next to my family room: https://www.wayfair.com/furniture/pdp/trent-austin-design-madalyn-dining-table-tadn8478.html

  • 8 years ago

    I appreciate the advice. I'm mainly looking for advice about dining table styles that would flow with my family room, right now.

  • PRO
    8 years ago

    Mixing the styles in your room has not been completely successful. You're really all over the place with your selections. Those white chairs are really fighting with the armoire. The white chair so close to the fireplace is awkward. The room needs a lamp or two.

    I've suggested two alternate layouts for the room.

    Have you selected a crystal fixture for the ceiling because the shadows all over the walls are distracting in the room?

    Now you want to go Industrial in style?



  • 8 years ago

    Yes, I'm already aware of the crystal chandelier shadows, the cream chairs' awkwardness, and the need for lamps. And the sofa will be replaced. I placed the cream chairs there because I need to seat six very comfortably in the space. I don't want to put three folks on the sofa. I tried putting the gray and printed chairs on either side of the armoire, and the cream ones looked better there (though I know it's not perfect). The gray one is a lot taller; maybe that's why. I don't necessarily want to "go industrial," but a designer told me that I'm already mixing traditional and industrial. I was a little confused about her suggestion that the room is industrial, but maybe she's referring to the clock? Anyway, she suggested that I go a little industrial/rustic yet traditional in the dining table. I'm just trying to figure out what that means. What about something like this (with cream parson chairs) in front room: https://www.wayfair.com/furniture/pdp/lark-manor-villeparis-dining-table-lark1754.html ? Will it compete with the green walls or look weird with my FR style?

  • 8 years ago

    Should all crystal chandeliers be avoided because the shadows are distracting?

  • 8 years ago

    Oh, and my orb chandeliers in the space I want to make into a dining room. I suppose those are industrial?

  • PRO
    8 years ago

    Not all crystal chandelier create the distracting shadows. And it's best to place the fixtures that create those shadows in rooms that benefit from the ambiance created. It's a 'look' and properly placed can work well.

    However, perhaps a cast shadow falling across a guest's face wouldn't be appreciated by a guest.

    The Orb Chandeliers are transitional IMO and work with your selections.

    Kathy thanked BeverlyFLADeziner
  • 8 years ago

    Thanks for your help. I rearranged furniture as per your suggestion. Now I can fit only 5 people seated comfortably in the room, but maybe that's as good as it gets? I've placed a stool on each side of the armoire, but that's not very comfy for long visits. I've also taped where the left end of the new sofa will be. I know it's a bit of a tight squeeze walking in and out of the room from that end (the cream chairs are huge in this space), but I'm hoping it works? The sofa is only 20" deep, so I think I can place its front legs just off the rug. This will give 29.5" in-and-out walking space (diagonal from front leg of closest cream chair to front leg of sofa). Thoughts, anyone? We're actually considering moving for a several different reasons; if I can't seat six comfortably using my existing furniture (or most of it) in the space, this might just clinch the deal!


  • 8 years ago
    last modified: 8 years ago

    BTW, I had nothing but the armoire when I began this journey, and a designer helped me choose all the rest of the furniture in this room. I'm definitely struggling to define a style, myself, but the designer thought all this would work together. After buying the furniture (and chandelier, which she also approved), I immediately realized there were several large issues. I love your idea to do plantation shutters; I wanted to do that upon moving into the home, but the budget was too stretched. I'll do it if we stay in the home.

  • 8 years ago

    I like the rearranged furniture and would agree with changing your light fixtures. Is your armoire black or a dark wood tone? I'm not sure where the industrial is coming from in her mind --- the clock perhaps, but that's a single accessory. The coffee and end table are bit minimal, but I don't see them as industrial. Whatever -- don't get caught up in labels. Just make sure things work together.

    I do like the idea of a round table in that room. If you need seating for 6, consider a pedestal or base that doesn't have feet that mean the chairs have to straddle them. Those typically make seating 4 easy, but more a little awkward. The next thing I would consider is how formal or casual you want the room to be. Since it is open to the LR, most likely you would keep a similar feel. You can mirror the dark finish of the armoire or pick up the brass/gold of the tables in the LR. And set a budget. That will help refine your choices. There are soooo many, so it's best if you can whittle a bit before you get overwhelmed or fall for something way outside your budget.


    Kathy thanked lascatx
  • 8 years ago

    The armoire is a dark wood tone. It looks almost black but it's very dark brown. I've set a budget for the dining table, and I hoped to mirror the dark finish of the armoire in the dining table, but I'm not finding anything within my budget. I'm also struggling to know what style of dining table to go with. Thanks for your help.

  • PRO
    8 years ago
    last modified: 8 years ago

    Wow............ I hope you're pleased. I have put the sofa back and moved the white chairs over so you walk around them.

    I would still move the rug further away from the armoire if you have room behind the sofa. I can see that you only have room for 5 but you can use your upholstered stools for additional seating when needed.

    The green wing back could be a nice contrast next instead of the white wood frame chair. Could anchor that end of the room.

    Selecting a dining table in a dark finish is the right instinct for your other room.

    I've added drapery panels and a dark ceramic lamp with white shade.

    Kathy thanked BeverlyFLADeziner