I suppose it's one of those "ya had to be there" things. I liked the 'before' personally.

I like it! It does achieve what you'd like it to. I currently have a very cramped kitchen that I may try the same thing with.

Also-- where did you get that pendant lamp? I love it.

I like the bench, but initially I thought you would just remove the two end chairs. They are really big and feel out of proportion with the rest of the space (even in the after picture). I suppose maybe you do need the extra chairs, but maybe you could replace them with the other two chairs that you removed.

I like it! It feels less "blocked," visually, because of the lack of high backs. Maybe like littlekiwi suggested, you could also move the chairs on the end so they're against a wall until you need them. It would open the room up even more, but you would still have the chairs when needed.

Oh, and that pendant lamp is GREAT. Source?

Don't see how the bench really helped the flow. I thought they were going to turn the table 90 degrees. Benches have been all the rage at tables for a few years now. But, I hope you don't expect people to sit on them for a relaxed, extended dinner party. They are horribly uncomfortable for any long length of time. Remind me of summer camp.

Hmm...I guess it would work if you can make the kids sit on the bench. I call a chair when I come over, though.

Meh. I don't think it made much of a difference. The problem is that the chairs on the sides have to be squeezed uncomfortably close together to make room for the chairs at the end. It looks "blocked" because it is - the table is too small for that many chairs and, by extension, people. I'd ditch the bench and remove one chair on each side instead.

I thought you would simply have only 4 chairs around the table. I agree with others...who wants to sit on a bench at dinner?

switch has a t in it.

i never felt that a bench makes for comfortable dining seating

Not really seeing the difference.

In my opinion, that farm bench is a bit too small and 2 of those end chairs are abit too big....
i personally like the first arragement better...

@anniekins:
I think the light is from West Elm

http://www.westelm.com/products/globe-pendant-a563/?pkey=cpendant-sconce-lamps-chandeliers

I liked the first picture a lot and thought about whatever I would change - so before I read your text what I expected were blue painted walls in the after picture.

I agree with the end chairs being part of the problem...

I think a round table would help the flow in this room. That way, traffic could move smoothly around it instead of having to dodge all those square sharp edges.

Since my dining room is also a pass-through (and also serves as office, sewing room, craft space and school room), I also opted for a long bench on one side of the table...along with stools rather than chairs on the other. I disagree with the popular opinion that backless seating is uncomfortable, but I do offer up a couple of windsor chairs for the in-laws when they visit.

I agree that the chairs you've placed on the ends are out of proportion with the table and that the new bench is a tad small. Still, it is an improvement, and I do like that the dark wood ties the dining room in with the living room. Next step: a rug and some artwork?

Not that you asked but I think you need a more substantial light - I do like the west elm pendant but it looks a little dainty here.

If it's just the two of you, why bother with side chairs at the table at all? Benches are so uncomfortable.

guess I'm in the minority here. i love my bench (also have four chairs which migrate throughout the dining room and house for "flow" purposes). i wish i could get another bench for the other side of the table, but i've searched everywhere- solid wood, about ten plus years ago when pier one sold more substantial furniture. oh well.

I like littlekiwi's suggestion about replacing the tall end chairs with the 2 chairs you removed. And how about painting the bench white to match? Otherwise, I think it's a nice little solution. It may also be the contrast in light, but how about painting the living room a lighter colour?

I agree with those who said you should keep just the four lower backed chairs there and redistribute the higher backed chairs until you have company.

I have this problem too in my small 790sqft craftsman home. my vote is table head against the wall. you can always move it out if you need to seat more.

I have a small dining area between the kitchen and living room, too, have tried many arrangements, and agree with other commenters. How many people usually dine at once in this room? It's too small to keep chairs in it that aren't used daily. I'd put just one or two smaller chairs on each long side and relocate the bigger chairs and bench. I find benches at dining tables to be inconvenient and uncomfortable, but they may do for skinny little kids. Also, my dining area was improved by a round-oval pedestal table.

Doesn't it make more sense to move the table 90*, set it back into the alcove, move the ceiling light, or use a chain to move the fixture over, thereby creating a passage way between kitchen and living room? Or, you could get a bench.

I don't really see the problem with the first picture, but don't hate the switch to a bench. I think that particular bench seems too small and spindlely though, and either needs to be painted to match, or you should change up the colors of the other chairs.

It looks nice, but I don't like sitting on a bench at a dining table.

I would try to rotate the table of 90°, as Village suggested, so there would be more room to move from one room to the other. Then I would replace the Mama Bear's and Papa Bear's chair. (OR would make the Papa Bear sit on the bench).

It only improves the flow if you're looking from the bench side. If you're in the other room, the remaining 2 tall chairs block the flow in that direction.

I'm with Dover. You can buy a longer light cord and hang a hook where you'd like to move the table and have the light hang over it.

I don't see the alcove other commenters mention in these photos any more than in my own dining room. In my rectangular dining room, on one side is the living room and on the other side are double French doors. On the perpendicular walls, on one side is the kitchen archway and on the other side are windows. I tried putting the rectangular table against the windowed wall, both the long and the narrow sides, but don't see a straight wall as an alcove.

I think it does look a lot better and allows you to see into the next room. I agree that moving the larger chairs on the end would be even better, but this post goes to show that you can get a different affect just by moving things around. Good work. :)

Wow, I don't get all these naysayers at all! Looks great plus obviously it's the most functional, you would know, you live there. Way to go making something look simple, beautiful and balanced, not bare or crowded.

Gorgeous room! But I don't think this solved the problem. (And I hate, hate, hate benches.) I'm with Dover and YoNella -- move the light over, and pull the table back out of the walkway. And as with the rest of the commenters, I say get rid of the oversized end chairs.

sorry to be a copy cat but I also LOVE the pendant lamp

I'm not trying to be mean at all, but I found this one a little puzzling. I don't really see a difference. Why is the table right in the doorway? I was expecting a round table or for the table to be put the other way. The light is great, but if that's what's preventing you from moving the table, I think you should move the light.

I think you could have done much better with finding a bench that would work with the table and chairs. This bench looks too flimsy. Buy a heavier chunky farm looking bench or how about getting two matching tree stumps to use on that side of the table. a couple of those in a blond wood would look great. If you go with a bench paint and distress it to look similar to the table and chairs but not matchy match.

I was expecting the "after" to have turned the table 90 degrees to open up that walkway. I think a lighter color on the bench would be more cohesive.

Looks good but I wouldn't want to be subjected to sitting on that bench.