Do you rent? If not, can you knock down any walls? The room is not only narrow, it's closed off.

A plan of your place might help. It looks like a few doors open into the space. Is this correct? If so, it really limits what you can do.

My dining room is 9'1" wide--although perhaps a bit longer. Regardless, I feel your pain. I would build/buy some sort of hutch for the dishes where that red art is and get rid of the bookshelf that is taking up a foot of space from the narrow side and center that table in the room. Added bonus, you could seat 4 if you needed to.

I'd just go with it and put a rectangle table in the center of the room. Put a bench on one side of it (the side that sees the most foot traffic) so it's not always in your way. Right now it looks like it's just a pass through, I think defining the area will really make it feel cohesive (and flow better from the kitchen).

you need a dining table that fits the space. Long narrow rectangular table, like a 32x60. You could have someone cut a piece of glass or wood and purchase a base or legs, or IKEA may have customizable sized tops/counters if there is one near you. Id also suggest backless stools instead of chairs so they can nest under the table when not in use, and center the table so that you have free movement all the way around it. Ive also seen people install hooks on the wall and hang folding chairs like the ones you have to keep them nearby for guests.

The space has a ton of character, a very large mirror mounted on the brick wall would lighten it up and give the illusion of more space.

A long skinny table could work well here. If you put in banquet seating along the brick wall I think you'd create a lot more space and you wouldn't have to pull the table in and out from the wall. Good luck!

Maybe put a rectangular table against the brick wall that can be pulled out when you have a full table. Benches can be stowed under the table. If you can store/ use chairs elsewhere in your apartment, that could work too. I do recommend having a bench along the outside length though, because it will make the space more navigable and streamlined. If you are on a budget (who isn't?) Ikea's Bjursta table is fairly narrow considering how long it can get.

Yes, a plan would help, but seems for now, you'd be better off getting the liquor corner out and set your dropleaf fully open in that area instead. Right now, your table is sort of in the pathway between the LR & kitchen. Liquor is fine, but all those bottles out are just clutter. It may be a challenge, but looks like an interesting place.

This really would have been so much easier to answer if you'd included a floorplan. Having scribbled a guess at one on a post-it, based on the photographs, I think i have some suggestions.

Move the table from the centre of the brick wall to the corner, at the window. I think you may have enough room to open it fully (it looks circular). Then put the two chairs at "6 o'clock" and "9 o'clock" (taking the window as "12 o'clock) rather than opposite each other. Then put two pieces of your storage furniture in the diagonally opposite corner, and narrowest (meaning shallowest depth) piece of furniture against the brick wall.

I think a rug would go a long way to helping you avoid the "corridor" feeling, but only if you avoid a long, narrow runner type rug. I think a large rug that almost fills the space would be best. But whatever you put down will probably get a lot of wear so it may be best to not spend too much on it.

I also think mirrors would help a lot, but not on the short walls, which will only make the space feel longer and narrower. I would suggest several, mismatched, mirrors on the brick wall, but as there is really nothing for them to reflect from the opposite wall (apart from doors) I think you may be better off with pictures in frames with reflective glass (as in normal glass, not specially reflective) which will give a little reflective help.

I do think though that a mirror on the brick wall beside the window will double the light you get from there in the daytime, so would be very much worth it. If there is part of the brick wall that is not opposite a door (again, a floorplan would really help!) you could put a mirror there too.

I also think a lamp, either a floor lamp or a lamp on one of your pieces of furniture, would help anchor the place. Especially as you probably pass through this area at night, a soft light left on would make it really warm and inviting.

One last thing - you have an awful lot of brown in this room, between the brick wall, the floor and the furniture. I really think a bit of non-brown contrast would help a lot too.

Is this a rental?

My first thought is a gorgeous leather banquette against the wall, and a long narrow antique wood farm table (or repurposed work table).

You current table is lovely, but will never fit this space.

I can't see enough of the wallboard wall to tell if there is enough space there (which is where I would tend to put it) because of the doors there. It would be the best placement for traffic flow though.

I really like the small pieces of wood furniture but for this layout I'm going to get rid of them. Where the red painting is find yourself a tall set of shelving (or a thinner hutch) that can combine the 3 floating units of furniture. That right there will help make it a bit bigger.

Then buy a narrow rectangular table and put one of the narrow end under the window. Along the brick side have either stools that can be tucked under the table or hang a couple of brightly colours folding chairs on the brick (tey'll double a bit like art). This allows you to keep the table tucked close to the brick. Then have chairs for the other side and for the end. This makes it functional for every day use and you can pull it out when you have company. An alternative location for the flooding chairs is to vertically stack them on the wall where your liquor shelf is (next to where I've suggested the hutch to go)

You should also consider adding some art to your brick wall, and get a table lamp to replace that standing lamp I see in the background

Unfortunately your dinning area is always going to feel a bit like a hallway but it's something you can't change.

It looks like you're living in a narrow rowhouse like me! I had a very similar problem – the space for my dining area was even narrower tho because my stairs run up the side of the house instead of perpendicular like yours. I did a few things that helped:

1. I got a round dining table - I see you already have one - and it really helped to soften the area and make it not so angular. Mine's a pedestal base which simplifies the silhouette some. If you have the space, put the drop leaf up to it's not right against the wall, it'll make it feel roomier.

2. Get a carpet runner or two to go from one entrance to the other, and keep that area clear of any furniture so it's a straight shot to walk thru. The carpet will define the pathway, and a runner is usually fairly cheap - under $150. Plus it's something you can get in a really fun pattern or color.

3. A bench is great idea because you can tuck it under your table, but they're hard to find for round tables! I ended up getting very nice foldable chairs that I store in the basement, and two substantial upholstered dining chairs. I keep the two chairs at the table regularly, angled out with throw pillows in them. I bring up the foldable chairs when we have company. Normally it's just the two of us, so this works for us.

Yes, definitely add a rug! It would help define the space and make it more like a room (and less like a hallway).

Those chairs don't look very comfortable; I don't think they would encourage me to linger at the dinner table over a nice meal. TSPInteriorDesign's comment above me, about getting backless stools, might save space, but I think that would be even less comfortable.

What about moving the table to the corner where the bookshelf/bar are now? and putting a long side board along the brick wall. I agree with the other about warming up the furniture. All the dark wood with the dark brick can make a closed in feeling. Some nice framed art with warm lighter colors on the brick wall may help the space feel more light. It will also pull the eye away from the closet/bath doors.

If the table in the corner doesn't work I agree with the idea of a longer table where the current one is now. You can have end chairs with backs and benches/stools that tuck under for additional seating.

That rectangle table as no business being in such a narrow dining room hun! What you need there is a round table that can seat 4-6 in the middle of that room, and a nice chandellier above it. Contrasting furniture (a white table from Ikea - they have amazing reasonably priced round ones), and some bright vintage chairs (Etsy.com is king for this). A nice vintage sideboard should sit where that dining table currently is, and get some plates or other art to hang above the sideboard. And I stress it must be a sideboard; a hutch is going to take up too much visual space, while a sideboard hangs low and gives the illusion of wide open spaces. An area rug under your new - round - table would be nice too, and any other small accents on the other wall (like sconces - again ETSY.COM is your friend), And with all that done, you'll have a beautiful dining space!

I have a similar problem, although my "dining room" is only eight feet wide...!

Instead of a rectangular table, maybe you could even get a smaller square one with leaves underneath to pull out when you have guests. For example, someone mentions a 32x60. What about a 32x32 or something like that with a leaf on each end? That would give you even more room.

Also, maybe take more advantage of vertical space? A nice, tall hutch to fill in that wall with the red wall hanging on it, something that doesn't overpower the space but fits comfortably. You may be able to store all your liquor AND your books in separate parts of the hutch, depending on its design. Then less floor space would be taken up and there'd be fewer pieces of furniture to clean/dust! :)

Here's what is not working in your photos:

The round table with the leaf dropped, pushed against the wall. It looks awkward. You definitely need a narrow rectangular table (30" x 72", or even 24" x 60").

The shelving unit opposite the table. It's making the space feel more closed in. Try to organize and cut down on the stuff you are storing in this space.

The reddish wood color of all your furniture and the red brick is sort of too matchy-matchy.

So first, get your long narrow rectangle table, and make it a color - black or orange would look great with the brick. Basically, you can make this table with a thick piece of plywood and some legs from Ikea. Put stools around it, or chairs with low backs. This is one of the reasons that Eames shell chairs or Series 7 chairs are so popular - they really tuck up under the table. Stools/chairs should not match the table - get white to go with an orange table, or yellow to go with black table.

Next, put one long floating shelf up on the brick wall, all the way across. Put some barware and stand a large print or 3 up on it. Balance the shelf with prints mounted directly on the wall. Match the frames to the colors of the table (black, orange, white, yellow, whichever color you have picked).

I wouldn't put a rug in, but I would consider painting the walls and doors to define the area as a room (the wall behind your credenza and the storage shelves where you have them in the pictures). Don't go crazy on color - something fairly neutral and not too dark. A good warm gray works with brick, or a khaki. Just don't try for a really bright pop of color on these walls, leave that for the chairs. As a sort of 'pass through' room, the walls need to transition smoothly from the surrounding hallways and rooms. A darker, richer shade of the other wall colors is what is called for.

I would put in a corner banquette under the window, ikea cabinets, build one, benches, to tuck into that corner and still use your round table and then you would only need 2-3 chairs and have space for them to slide back and be functional. I would also rethink the bookshelf, but it's really hard to see that angle from the pictures.

Yep. Another vote for the 'L' shaped corner bench (with storage under?), long narrowish table (light colored) and more height usage for storage. You can hang your folding chairs on the brick wall if there are no guests to use them. Perhaps you'll paint them a peppier color to add oomph to your brick wall.

I would say don't use high storage, at least not along the long walls, it will really make the space close in and feel even more like a corridor.

It made me laugh when you said "10 feet wide (yes it's true)". My entire loft is only 9 ft 4 wide!

But anyway, my tips for narrow spacing:

- A rectangular table with bench seating which fits completely underneath would look great placed in the middle of the room. I initially made the mistake of placing furniture around the edge of the room - it looks awkward, and makes a space seem smaller.
- Art on the exposed brick wall will make it feel more like a room than a hallway.
- Lighting over the centre of the table and a rug underneath.
- Give the room its own cohesive colour scheme.
- A large mirror in the place of the art you currently have on the back wall will reflect the window and open up the room.

I agree with RMBNN, you need to use that corner where all the liquor is being stashed - that is where the table needs to go. And I agree with many above, you need a long narrow table (that expands when needed). If money is an issue go to ana.white.com for plans on how to easily and cheaply make your own.

Normally the table can go against the wall - but if company comes you can expand and pull it away from the wall for extra seating.

I have a few other suggestions:
- If the door nearest to the (now) liquor corner is the utility closet - either convert to
sliding doors or take the doors off and use curtains instead. This way you don't
need to worry about the doors needing to open into the room.

- I like the mirror on the brick wall previous suggestion. That will help open up the
room.

- where the table is now, hang a substantial rustic shelf from the ceiling studs.
You can display some of your liquor there & perhaps some pretty glasses. This
won't take up floor space - so visually it will have less weight. But it will also add
a nice additional layer of texture (being rustic wood).
Position a narrow buffet or console table underneath for added table space. This
will come in handy when you entertain and won't disrupt flow since it's minimal
depth.

- get a fairly long rustic bench w/ perhaps a kilim patterned cushion. Use that for
extra company seating if necessary. This has less visual clutter than individual
chairs - and you can hid it under the table when not in use....and it's cozy.

- Don't forget to have fun and remember the most difficult rooms tend to be our
favorite ones, once we figure out how to make them work.

Please let us see the completed result!

If it were my place and I owned it, I would see about replacing those closet(?) doors with sliding ones so that they don't open into the space. Then get a long rectangular table with a bench on side and some comfortable dining chairs on the other.

Whatever you do decide, I would love to see the outcome. People write in with their questions but we so rarely get to see what they decide.

My immediate thought was to put the extended table in the corner... but the corner with the window, not the liquor corner. Pull it out to the center when needed. What would really make this look less like a hallway, though, is a large rug. I have an odd pass-through room between foyer and kitchen, which I use as a place for my desk. I put a strong-design area rug in there that is nearly the size of the space...but round. Now it looks like a room, even though it's actually just a wide space in a hallway with doorways for walls.

If you hang a large, orb-shaped Japanese-style paper light low over the corner table (a Noguchi or one of the knock-off versions), it would make the table sit in the space more comfortably. You could swag the cord and even move the light to hand from a hook in the center of the room when you have guests...or just slip a temporary serving table under the light and use candles on the centered table.

Long narrow rectangular table and benches that can be slid under the table when not in use. Also use floor to ceiling storage in that corner that you have the bar as it lessons the amount of floor space that it takes up.

This could easily work:

1. Get rid of the bookshelf.
2. Add the mirror like you plan.
3. Get a bench for seating, as others have suggested.
4. Mount a large table to the brick that folds down when you need, but hangs on the wall when you don't.

That way you have a hall when you need it that in minutes transforms to a large dining area.

Right now, the furniture is arranged to make this space a corridor, not a dining room. Since the space is a bit narrow (although I don't think 10 feet is *that* small), the various small pieces you have there just make the room feel cluttered and uncomfortable.

I agree with those who say a single, long, shallow dining table with benches (preferably with backs!) along the sides is the answer. Perhaps something like this:

http://designsofthewest.com/saguarodining.html

Or pair a table with something like these benches from Ballard:

http://www.ballarddesigns.com/benches/coventry-benches/

Cushions on the benches or upholstered benches and perhaps coordinating (but not matchy-matchy) window curtains would create the warmth you're looking for.

A single, tall buffet/storage piece, facing the kitchen, should provide enough storage to replace the three other pieces (I think you have a folding bookcase and 2 small buffet-ish pieces right now).

I disagree with the idea of a runner. You've got a hallway on the brick side of the room and the kitchen coming off the other side of the room; all a runner is going to do is emphasize the narrowness of the room.

Make the space feel more balanced by placing furniture at either end creating a squarer remaining floor space for the table. Go for it and put an amazing table in the middle of the space if you want it to be a dining room.

We also have a super narrow dining room (luckily it's not also a hallway). After searching far and wide for narrow dining table (the smallest we could find was 36") we decided to DIY. We found an old barn door at a salvage yard (29" wide), used an epoxy on the top for an even surface, and added simple Ikea legs. We are not crafty at all and this was really easy. You could even use old pieces of wood with brackets to hold them together to get a more custom size. A bench on one or both sides would also save space.

I love your two end pieces so I hope they'd still fit, but it's definitely easy to overcrowd that room! I agree with the above posters about a wall-mounted unit for your wine/dishes. I love that room--the brick wall gives it so much character.

Another vote for the L shaped banquette made with Ikea kitchen cabinets under the window corner. Custom table with metal trestle base from Ikea. Easy peasy! :)

Thanks very much for all the great comments! These are spectacular suggestions.

Also, just to clarify -- the corner area on the right in the photos (to the right of the red tile on the wall) is actually the start of the staircase and not a corner (as it appears in the pix). Sorry I did not clarify this in my original post.

So this room is actually open on three sides -- doorway to living room, opening to stairwell to 2nd floor, and doorway to kitchen.

Thanks again
Laura

(continued) From Laura in DC -

I am getting rid of the table! I agree that it's wrong for the room. Makes it actually look smaller than it is. I am now focused on finding a rectangular dining table, nice rug, and a few mirrors.

Thanks again, everyone
laura in dc

(continued) From Laura in DC -

And yes, I will definitely post pictures of the redesigned dining room. These are fantastic comments. I have a lot to think about!