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elsie321

Small Dining Room Design Help!

last year

I’m struggling so much with this tiny dining room. Everything feels so clunky, dated, crowded, and mismatched, and I’ve hesitated to buy things because I can’t seem to decide what will work. I lean toward a mid century style, but likely will not change out the table anytime soon because we have young kids and this puppy is indestructable and easy to clean. Any advice or recommendations would be greatly appreciated!





Comments (13)

  • last year
    last modified: last year

    Remove the corner chair. Remove 2 of the 3 buffets in the room. Remove the decor items on the remaining buffet table.

    Put the 2 pairs of white MCM chairs facing each other, and the wood chairs on the ends.

    Measure the room with openings, the table and the remaining buffet. What is on the wall opposite the mirror?

    What is in the budget? I suggest to replace the central light with one that is brighter, and then remove the floor lamp. The one in your idea book, with the single Edison bulb, is probably not bright enought to light your room properly. New rug in a modern style you like. Replace the wood chairs or paint them the same white as the modern chairs.

    As you replace things, you may get some ideas here for colours. Which of these dining rooms appeal to you, and why? Do you like the bright pops of colour, or the earthy tones? https://www.mydomaine.com/mid-century-modern-dining-room-4778901

    elsie321 thanked partim
  • PRO
    last year

    It's not bad. the table and chairs are not working though, its more 1950's rather than cool mcm. If that makes sence. the two wood chairs at the table do not go w/the white ones.


    the green side chair in the corner need to go. get a tall plant instead in that spot.


    your chairs w/a better table.


    look at this pic. keep the table if you like, try these chairs. remove the green chair, put in some plants like thay have here.


    you can find vintage sets like these all over the place. check FB marketplace, craigslist, yardsales, flea markets.


    Center your table under the light. Instead of this old chest, remove it or do more of an mcm style bench


    Here,, lighter table, plant. you need a diff rug. this dingy gry/black doesn't work w/what you have going.


    or you could go w/something like this


    I like your hutch over on the other wall.


    Here's your chairs w/an oval talbe and a brighter rug. try a diff paint color on the wall


    similar shape table w/diff chairs. tall plant in the corner.




    these chairs could also work, (but I might do a diff table too)

    Notice the art over on the other wall.

    This next one too.

    if you really want mcm style, try something like this. get an oval table.



    your chairs again





    not mcm, but it has an almost identical layout like yours w/window placement


    elsie321 thanked Beth H. :
  • last year

    I think the chairs are not proportionate to the table or chandelier. I would pick more substantial chairs. I would remove rug (or put a rug with a brighter color in). I would also reframe the art to match closer to the table color or white/beige. I would also stagger the art work a bit (maybe bigger one on one side of window in center of wall and two vertically on other side of window). I agree with removing the side chair, if not needed as well as lamp. If extra lighting is needed, maybe 2 small side tables in the corners with lamps. I would add a vase in center of the dining table with some flowers with a pop of color (maybe an orchid for a bit of mid century look).

    elsie321 thanked rureadyinla
  • PRO
    last year

    Consider adding one of our custom mosaic wall art piece that reflects your mid-century style. It can serve as a focal point, bringing cohesion and character to the room without taking up any floor space. Look for geometric patterns or abstract designs in earthy tones to complement your existing table and create a stylish, unified look.

    elsie321 thanked Mozaico Inc
  • last year

    Identify your favorites so you can work with those and eventually replace the rest.


    You have 13 things in this room, counting a set of 4 white chairs and a set of 2 wood chairs as one each. Pick out your top 4 favorites, put Post-its on them, then pick your least-liked 4 items and put a different color Post-it on them. Then take photos showing what you like and don't like.

    elsie321 thanked apple_pie_order
  • last year

    This is such a helpful suggestion. Thank you so much!!

  • PRO
    last year

    IMO pick a style and that light is huge for such a small space . The table and choirs do not belong together even when going for eclectic some things just do not work The low chest and the chair need to go a nice smaller but interesting light not yellow hued bulb

  • last year

    Some simple changes might make a difference while you still have young children. I would line the white chairs up across from each other and have the wood ones at the end. I don't really mind the green chair being in the room. I could see kids doing crafts at the table while you can sit and read in the chair. My suggeston would be to pair the green chair with the lamp behind it to make it look like a little reading area.

    elsie321 thanked nelliebean
  • last year
    last modified: last year

    If the wood chairs need to stay for now, you could paint them. Either match the white on the MCM chairs, or use a colour that coordinates with a new rug, for example.

  • 11 months ago

    You have young children, so the white chairs look unsturdy. Beth H has great chair ideas that have 4 straight legs and look stable, especially like the curved backs.

  • 11 months ago

    You've made a good improvement so far! I like the rug and the wall art arrangement, and it definitely looks better with one less piece of large furniture.

    I'd suggest one small tweak, to pull the floor lamp out of the corner by a few inches. From this camera angle anyway, it looks a bit squished in.

  • 11 months ago

    You've done a good job. The room looks nice and refreshed.

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