Leslie May Designs: Wasted Space

Why move to a bigger house or add on that extra square footage when you likely don't even use what you've got! There are so many spaces in our homes that we love to polish up and show off but we never go in there to enjoy ourselves! Wasted space #1....the Dining Room.

The Dinning Room is not just the place for Downton Abbey-esq dinner parties. Bring it to its full potential! As long as you don't have silk seat cushions make a vow to use the beautiful room with an expansive table and room the whole family, more often. The beautiful curtains, chic wallpaper and (hopefully) faux painted ceiling will remain unscathed....

I find that if you do not give a space a purpose you won't use it. Give that to your dinning room, after all, it looks so fabulous! Family game night, book club, study hall, Sunday Super...your dining room is the perfect spot to host. Here are some of my thoughts on the space that will hopefully expand the square footage and living space in your home....

~use that beautiful sideboard to hold cards and board games
~cover your seat cushions in something extra durable...my fav here is faux leather (think snake or alligator)....even Sunbrella fabric will work in this dressier space
~if its not in your budget, hold off on the rug, the table will cover up the expansive floor...and depending on the age of your family you may end up with more food on the floor then the table
~if you do add a rug make sure you have at least 3 feet off the edge of the table on all sides so that you have room to move your chair around without "falling off" the rug!
~i am a believer that antiques get better with age, but if you are going to cringe at every falling fork, get a glass top made to fit
~every dining room does not need silk curtains. They can be gorgeous... but if you want to keep the space more in-formal, but still "special feeling", go for a more tailored window treatment in a more casual fabric...I am thinking linen panels with a scalloped edge...

Here are some dinning dens I love....

This Room looks ready for an elegant dinner party OR homework study session!
delightfullynoted.blogspot.com

This room by Suzanne Kasler looks glam and elegant but if those chairs are covered in a pale blue faux leather, there is nothing keeping family game night away!