Monday, July 14, 2008

My next trick: Turning 1 room into 2

Thanksgiving and Christmas are months away. If that means you have no use for your dining room until then, it might be time to rethink how you use that room.

After all, what fun is it to leave one room untouched most of the year?

About six years ago, we decided to create a dining room/library in our house because the dining room is a good size, but the house isn't particularly large and because, if my husband had a dollar for every book he owns, he'd go out and buy new books.

We added the bookshelves, a few comfy chairs and reading lamps. And, poof!, we actually use the dining room.

Need more office space? Consider creating a multi-functional dining room. This is especially easy now that laptop computers mean there's a lot less bulky equipment to store. You can hide paperwork and office supplies in a sideboard.

A dining room can be a great place for doing crafts and homework.

Need a quiet spot for a quiet conversation? Add a couple of comfortable chairs or a settee if you've got room.

Play music? Incorporate a small piano or display other instruments there. A dining room can be a peaceful place to practice and to entertain.

Who knows? You spend that much time in your dining room, you might even think to eat there every now and again.

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12 comments:

Kristen said...

Thanks for the comment on my blog! Look at all those books! I love bookshelves. Nice job! I know I'll have fun reading your blog!

Empty Nest Full Life said...

Definitely like the dining room library idea. Our dining room is small but practically unused, but there is room for bookshelves, I think you've given me an idea.

Ellie said...

You have built-ins! *drool* I've been battling the hubby on the bookshelf front for months. Very jealous that you have a genuine library.

Anonymous said...

that's a great idea to make it multi-use, because I think our modern life often doesn't lend to using formal dining all the time

Free Art Printables said...

Mary, thanks so much! I put your badge on my side bar! I am truly honored! You have a great blog and I love this idea! Jen R

Anonymous said...

I use mine everyday.. It's my craft room.. Wish I didnt have to make my mess in the middle of our house but.... I will wait till a kids moves out one day. then I can have my own room. Take care, Susie H~

Kimba said...

I love this idea and you did it really well. Your room is beautiful. I was packing up my dining room yesterday thinking about how little use it gets. You've given me some good ideas for the new house.

Thanks!

Julia @ Hooked on Houses said...

I love this idea! I've always wanted a wall of bookshelves in my library like this. We use our dining room mostly for playing family games, so if I had shelves, I could store the games in there, too. -Julia

Anonymous said...

I LOVE LOVE LOVE this! I have a mini-library in my dining. Mostly because I have no where else to put them!

I have told my hubby over and over, if he would JUST buy me a table saw already, we would HAVE shelves like this. :)

Holly said...

Oh! See NOW I know we'd be instant best friends. My dream dining room is one lined with bookcases. !!! Perfect!

Anonymous said...

Wow we put book shelves in our dining room, our husbands sound like they would be great friends we have a ton of book. Lots of book shelves and still we have books in boxes in the basement

Buzzings of a Queen Bee! said...

Thanks for emailing me the link to this! I am dying over the bookshelves, they are so pretty. I wish I had more wall space to install bookshelves...we have tons of windows in there and no wall for big shelves. I think we'll add a window seat in the bay window and put bookshelves underneath...if I can persuade my husband to build them! Did you build yours yourself or hire someone? How long of a project was it? OK, enough with the questions. Thanks again!
-Carrie