I know someone will ask about dimensions: there is 50 inches between the wall and the table. If I keep the table to a depth of 14 in, there will still be 3 feet. That wall is about 11 ft long. The room itself is around 11x14.

The Board and batten was not the best idea for this space ... it created two narrow horizontal bands with the soffit, making the space feel squat/cramped. I would either remove it or redesign it to go all the way to the bottom of the soffit.

I agree with you but we aren’t interested in attacking that as a project right now. It’s being painted white.

That last comment was for chispa. To elaborate, I hate it. But pulling it out requires prying it off, repairing any damage from the removal, replacing the floorboards, etc.

I am not loving even a narrow 14” deep sideboard in that spot. When the chair is in use, the walkway will be less than 36” and people will need to turn to squeeze through. Or bump the sideboard and possibly knock off whatever is on it. Have you considered instead putting large artwork on that wall?

Is there room instead on the wall across from it for a sideboard since it’s not a main walkway?

Consider painting the board and batten the same light color (which looks like a creamy white) as the walls.

Consider also adding ceiling recessed lighting on a dimmer in the room to address the darkness. Lighting often needs to be layered in a lighting plan for optimal results especially in an area without windows/natural light.

Even if the pathway remains at 36”, that is very narrow considering that no room at all has been allowed for that chair and a person seated in it.

May I ask why you need/want a sideboard or narrow table there? If we knew why you want the table space, we might come up with a different solution.

I don’t really need a table there. But I need to do something because the space is just so boring to me. I like the table, chairs and light fixture. I’m open to other ideas that don’t involve removing the board and batten because that isn’t happening. Painting it all the same white is definitely happening. So other than that, I’d love suggestions.

Oh! So you don’t really need a narrow table!

It will make a huge difference when the b&b is the same color as the rest of the wall.

Thinking outside the box:

I love those styles of hangings, def my style.

How about a corner cabinet?

Choosing the right console or side table for your dining room can help enhance both functionality and aesthetics while ensuring it complements the existing decor.

I decided to seek out the guidance of a designer. I found a couple in my area that offer a 1-2 hour consult for this type of thing

I have a few small areas like this in my house that could use a refresh

Thanks for the update and good luck! Please post after photos so we can see how your space turns out.

Yup!

Glad you are abandoning the side table idea. You are going to like this space so much better after painting the board and batten. I would consider a large piece of artwork to hang on the wall that hangs above the top board and has some kind of circular design on it. This will help blur the lines of the boar and batten and add more curves to the space so everything isn't so linear.

No doubt, you are one one among many who are now trying to figure out what to do with their board and batten - they don't love it but don't want the job of taking it down.

Yes! In our last house we used an interior designer for several projects. I was apprehensive about some of her plans but I ended up loving everything! In this house we decided to use one too (different state so we couldn’t use the same one). I was trying to keep an open mind but after there were so many things I did not like. This is one of them.