Conserving space is so important in a one bedroom apartment. It was hard for us to muster the thought of wasting an entire dining room with a table we would rarely eat at. Thank goodness we thought of a multipurpose solution!
We've always had a lot of hobbies that take up a lot of space. My man loves to work on his bikes, surf the web, or do small DIY projects. He's always wanted a durable workspace to do all of these things, but space has always been an issue. This is the first apartment we've had that actually has a dining room. I was excited about finally getting a designated eating area, but I knew it would rarely get any use.
A solution had to be thought of! How could we combine all of our needs into one space? Aha! The multipurpose dining table! I scoured Craigslist looking for a durable table and stumbled across a stainless steel restaurant kitchen table. The counter height is perfect for working on projects that require standing. We were able to get some adjustable height stools from IKEA that go well with the industrial feel of the table.
This is a solution that won't work for everyone, but it's perfect for us. I just hope he remembers to clean the table of any bike grease before I start eating!
Image: Meg Lewis
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I like your table, but I don't feel like the concept is unique. Or maybe I'm just the odd one out? I have never had the space to have a dining room table (or even a dining room, let's be honest), so my table even growing up has always been multi-use. Anyone else here without a designated "eating only" table?
@Lucy Lamare: The house I spent most time growing up in had a dining room and a living room that we almost never used. My mother bought a 19th century reproduction piece of a 15th century style table with matching chairs to put in the dining room. It seats 8 comfortably and has gorgeous, gorgeous hand carved details. She was always worried us kids would get it dirty, though. So instead, we'd eat at the breakfast table in the kitchen or on the couch in the family room.
i'm trying to talk my husband into letting us use our kitchen table as an office, as there's not enough space in our living room for 2 desks + our remaining furniture.
maybe someday.
I like your choice of SS in a wood, traditional looking apartment. It's functional, durable, and not terribly expensive.
I too use my dining room for all sorts of things, especially an office. I had a large home office, but I always found myself in the dining room. When I took my company paperless, I just needed a small chest, so I put one next to my chair. Now I can run my business from my dining table, and it makes me happy. I can also do projects, wrap presents, pile and open all the boxes from ebay and Amazon, and oh my gosh, eat meals.
I like this idea!
I grew up doing homework and crafts at the dining table, which would be cleared for dinner, then used for games and chat later. However, messy work was done in the garage or on the patio table -- not the dining table. Hard to do in an apartment!
@Lucy,
Also, I think what makes this unusual is the kinds of activities that are going on. I agree, most people probably do a lot of activities on their kitchen table, but hoisting a bike onto it to adjust some bolts and grease up the chains probably isn't one of them!
hmm... those people in the photo look very uncomfortable. i bought that ikea stool to use with my drafting table and it is NOT comfy.
I LIKE this idea... I am currently on Craigslist looking for a dining room table for our small dining 'area'... my husband is SET that we need a table... I have been stuck on a small but formal dining room table... this is inspiration for another table option
I do this. It's mostly normal from what I understand. It's rare in my circles for someone to have a eat-only dining table as well as a work only desk at home (especially if they do not work from home)
I actually have filing cabinets in my diningroom, and the printer is on a low shelf on the floor. I don't have a desk-top...anytime I need to print something I set my laptop on the dining table and connect it to the printer.
I don't think I would want a designated desk. It would remind me too much of work...and bills, and life's paperwork.
I think it would be totally weird to NOT do other things at the table - growing up, I would help my mom would fold and sort laundry on the dining room table. Now, I do work at the kitchen table or sitting on the sofa or in the study at the desk...depending on my mood and task.
I guess I'm kind of scratching my head at the not-very-revolutionary idea of doing things other than eating at the dining room table. Good for this couple, but I could have told them that 20 years ago and saved them years and years of painful task-segregation. :P
the table is great, as are the bikes on the wall. Ive been thinking about parking my barely ridden fixed gear in the house as an object. But I like the boy most of all :-)
lol, asmallcontempt I also don't see anything revolutionary about using a dining room table for something other than dining! Half the time my table is covered in projects and/or paper work. We usually eat at the coffee table.
I like the idea of a metal table though.
I like your choice of SS in a wood, traditional looking apartment. It's functional, durable, and not terribly expensive.
marble top dining table