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brian_hendricks1

Apartment living/dining area layout review: is this going to work?

6 years ago

Hi -- Trying to figure out how to get my living and dining room together. It's a recently renovated apartment and we're getting all new furniture. Going from top to bottom...


Cozy Swivel Accent Chairs -- My wife bought those two big swivel chairs you see at the top over memorial day sale at West Elm. 38" diameter. Can still cancel them but we love them so much!


Couch, Coffee Table and Media Console -- 84"W couch that's 36"D. Some small console tables next to them. Other side of wall is a 65" TV with a 80" media console below it...could drop down to 63" or 70" wide but not sure what that gets us.


Dining table (note: it's extendable from 39L" to 55") -- Would have this not extended most of the time. We really don't host people that often, as my family lives close by with bigger apartments :)! So a nice space for 4 people with option for 6 is enough. We have people over frequently for sporting events and movie/tv nights so the seating for that is important.


What do you think? How can we make it better? Or do we have to have to just do one big swivel chair or some other sacrifice?




Comments (23)

  • PRO
    6 years ago

    Those 1’8” spaces are pretty tight I would do a round dining table that can be made oval if needed maybe a smaller coffee table and add a side table between the chirs then really not a need for a long coffee table since you show end tables on either end of the sofaa shallower depth TV console would also free up space . I think the seating is important for game nights so leave it as is .

  • PRO
    6 years ago

    I feel like a round table would be much better here...........way more room and the chairs will tuck in and give better traffic flow, even one with drop leaves to get it more out of the way.

  • PRO
    6 years ago

    LOL we agree on that!

  • 6 years ago

    Get the living room all set up then buy dinning furniture You will have a better idea for the table. Look into a drop leaf table maybe.

  • 6 years ago

    Thanks. Those 1’8” spaces would be 2.5’ when the table isn’t expanded, for what it’s worth. The round tables I found were a bit bigger. Wife hates round tables too :)

    Sounds like overall the plan can work with a little tweaking. Those big chairs are our favorite so mostly just wanted to make sure there’s a way to get those in while having a 84” couch and a 4-6 person table.

    Will look for a shallower coffee table and media console too.

  • 6 years ago

    following

  • PRO
    6 years ago

    I don't think we meant it was going to work, it will feel like everything is on top of each other, having 20inches to walk between furnishing will feel tight, and even when it's down to 2.5 when a chair is pulled out its back to a snug fit. You could do a wall mounted media console along with the tv that would help a lot. and perhaps do two smaller ottomans instead of a coffee table, they can function as seats and footrests. some have reversible lids so you can have a hard surface when needed.

  • PRO
    6 years ago
    last modified: 6 years ago

    I would also suggest a round dining table.



    **Edit: Just saw your wife hates round so I would stick with the square table. I think the 39" square would work fine...


    For dining seating I would do modern plastic chairs so when you aren't entertaining they can be stacked in a hall closet. These are affordable and come in a range of fun colors:

    Dot dining chair









  • 6 years ago

    Gotcha.


    I think we'e come to the realization that two of those swivel chairs just aren't going to fit. Or at least, let's just get one for now, see how things go, and maybe add another one later this year if space permits.


    Just curious, why round over square? Doesn't round take up more square feet/footprint?


    Eg, if option is a 42"D table that expands to a 42" by 60" oval, isn't that worse than a 32" x 39" rectangle that expands to 55"?


    Coffee table we'll likely get is only 20D (one in picture is 26"), and table in picture is expanded to 32x55 but would keep it at 32x39 most of the time.

  • 6 years ago

    @Glo, thanks. I think this west elm expandable table works the best for our look and space. I haven't been able to find a 36" round table that expands. West Elm makes a 42" one but if goal is to save space, can get the rectangle look my wife prefers while less overall footprint when it's in 4-seater length.


    https://www.westelm.com/products/parker-expandable-dining-table-g830/?pkey=s%7Cexpandable%20dining%20table%7C26


    Have two matching chairs for it in nightshade upholstery. Will do 2 more and then 2 foldable chairs we like from Calligaris.



  • PRO
    6 years ago

    The reality is the size of swivel chairs will not work. Effectively, after you allow 3’ for walkway you have 8’-6” of depth for furniture. With a 36” deep sofa pushed against the wall that leaves only 5’-6” on ends for chair. Leaving a few inches away from front arm of sofa only one of those chairs will work and allow any swing of the swivel. A better choice might be a campaign style chair for that end. Same dynamic goes for table end of room. An oval tulip table with banquette bench against wall would be ideal. I will post photos momentarily.

  • PRO
    6 years ago

    Here are examples of banquettes and campaign chairs.

  • PRO
    6 years ago

    Here is alternative concept for layout. Put seating area toward kitchen end. Put dining on other end. Better space utilization.

  • PRO
    6 years ago

    Round is easier to walk around than square, and the chairs tend to fit more snug into the base. look for a round drop leaf table rather than expandable, this way you might be able to set it square when not in use. And find the right size.

  • PRO
    6 years ago

    Option 2

  • PRO
    6 years ago

    where are the windows in this space?

  • PRO
    6 years ago

    We don’t even know where windows are?

  • PRO
    6 years ago
    last modified: 6 years ago

    Yeah, I too was in need of an expandable round-to-oval table and they are nearly impossible to find. Well, impossible to find an attractive one that is --I too love the West Elm style.

    For the amount of space I would definitely only do one swivel chair for now.

  • 6 years ago

    Windows are up top where the swivel chair/chairs are going. I thought table should go on that wall but wife thinks it’s weird to walk through living room to dining table to bring dishes and stuff

  • 6 years ago

    Yeah, but look at the upside, both your swivel chairs fit.

  • PRO
    8 months ago
    last modified: 8 months ago

    This layout has a lot of potential! In small open-concept spaces like yours, the key is creating visual separation between living and dining areas without blocking flow. I suggest using a slim console or open shelving as a divider — it can add storage and define zones subtly.

    Also, consider foldable or wall-mounted furniture to keep things flexible, especially if you occasionally entertain guests or need to free up space.

    If you’re looking for practical examples, I recently came across some space-saving furniture setups that might inspire you: space saving furniture for small apartments

    Would love to see an updated layout once you finalize it — small spaces can truly shine with the right flow!


  • 8 months ago

    I was wondering what ever became of this thread....

    so timely! tiny living genius is an interesting poster.

    @sushipup?