AT:LA reader Yen writes: We recently moved into a new condo and have no idea what to do with this den. It opens up into the living room, has a sliding glass door to one side and the kitchen counter to the other, so there's really only one useable wall. For a host of reasons, we don't want to put a dining set in there and have no idea what else would work. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Thank you, Yen
(Note: Include a pic of your problem and your question gets posted first. Email questions and pics with QUESTIONS in subject line to: la(at)apartmenttherapy(dot)com)
Link To All Good Questions
Well, Yen, we've been there before: a defunct dining room trying to find a new purpose. We like how the room offers access to what seems like all the essentials for both a great entertaining space AND a place for quiet relaxation: the balcony, the living room, and the kitchen. So, with that in mind, how about turning the space into an informal area where you can do both? You could put a bookcase along the back wall, a smaller scaled lounge chair in the corner near the living room with a small round end table, and a few stools underneath the kitchen counter. That way, the path from the balcony to the kitchen is clear, you have a few extra seating options for entertaining purposes, and a place to display books, treasures, and even a home stereo or record player.
Anyone else have any suggestions for Yen?
A ball pit would be fun:
http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.southpawenterprises.com/store/images/thumbnail/150210_Medium1.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.southpawenterprises.com/store/3-inch-colored-balls-100-ct,Product.asp&h=160&w=160&sz=7&hl=en&start=105&um=1&tbnid=92MOBBBZBbLvjM:&tbnh=98&tbnw=98&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dball%2Bpit%2Bplastic%26start%3D100%26ndsp%3D20%26svnum%3D10%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN
Just kidding! I agree that a nice area where you can sit and hang out while you're waiting for things to cook, or while you're waiting for someone else to cook, would be great here. Especially if you're having people over and eating on the balcony--it would be nice if guests could relax in that room and talk with you as you're finishing up preparations. It seems like a nice room to sit and read in.
view geckotoes1's profile
I would put a sectional along the far wall, with a chaise end that comes a little into the window ( nice place to curl up and read-place a flat screen ( not too big) on a swivel on the cutout wall between the kitch. and 'den' (closest to camera)so it can be used in either location!- I would also get a round, maybe slightly taller than normal 'cofee table'that can also be used for eating at for informal lunches, midnight snacks...since it is just off the kitchen!!and top it off with some barstools( pref backless that can be tucked completely under the 'bar' when not in use!!
view bball's profile
I would make use of that great counter space in the kitchen so I would add some bar stools so that your guests can watch and chat while you prepare. As for the wall, I'd put up a large bookshelf or interesting artwork that goes up against the entire wall and some sort of comfy bench in front of it.
view Annalisa's profile
Thank you! These are some great suggestions. -Yen
view Y.'s profile
Wow, this space looks almost exactly like what I have for my new condo's livingroom. The patio door wall is a full wall with a long horizontal window. My challenge is that it's a small space , plus I'd like to somewhat utilize the kitchen bar area. I've got a 62 inch entertainment tv bench, a 3-seater 72 inch sofa and a large sitting chair with wide arms. Would love thoughts on how to configure the space with the furniture and how to open it up. My front door opens up where it is closest to the camera.
view emilyy's profile
You're supposed to putting a dining table in this area. Hang a beautiful pendant dropping down lighting the dining table.
view minty's profile
http://www.habitat.co.uk/fcp/categoryhome/browse/kitchen-and-dining/
Nice photo (scroll through series) of kitchen opening up into relaxation/chilled out/lounge area with day bed, bright rug, storage unit. Nice and bright.
view Flora's profile
i think it's a good idea to make that a hang out area while things are happening in the kitchen. so have something fun to do -- paint the big wall with chalkboard paint. you can do the dark green or black, but martha stewart has a story in her January issue where you can mix your own colors. http://www.marthastewart.com/portal/site/mslo/menuitem.3a0656639de62ad593598e10d373a0a0/?vgnextoid=d47f3a6f5c470110VgnVCM1000003d370a0aRCRD&autonomy_kw=chalkboard%20paint&rsc=ns2006_m2
since the space is not big enough for a regular dinning table, then maybe a smaller one for multiple use (breakfast, work, appetizers, bar setup for parties) that you can utilize with or without chairs. and the chairs can be fun and informal and can also be stools which you can easily tuck away when not needed.
view r0cky's profile
I'm curious...if you're not planning to use this space as for what it was intended (a dining room), where do you eat? This is just like our condo, and a very typical condo layout in LA...a dining room that's separated from the kitchen by a counter, that opens into the living room.
If you have plenty of eating space somewhere else, no reason not to do something else with the area, though. If I were going to use this as den, I think I would use a piece of furnture to act as a partition... so that it defines the space as a separate room. Maybe a small couch, small bookcase or at least a chair placed where the carpet begins, that faces into the room. Once you do that, the other furniture will be easier to arrange.
view JyoJyo's profile
I would use a couch and a table behind it where the carpet begins to create a more defined space. I would install a floor to ceiling book case, on the wall facing it and if you want, a place for a flat screen television within it. I would remove the light fixture (looks like something that belongs over a table. the obvious choice for under the counter would be bar stools, or think about another low cabinet for storage if you could use the extra space.
view msbeachwood's profile
I know this topic is long over but since it came back I have to chime in.
If I had my dining table some place else then there is only one thing I'd do with that space. BAR/Lounge --I am just wild about bar items, bar art, and the whole "martini/cocktail" culture (even if I don't really drink much myself).
view stillreign's profile