It’s amazing how placing a table and chairs at one end of an underused living room and adding a centered light fixture instantly created a dining area that feels like it has always belonged there. When we first moved in, we had no idea what to do with the long, narrow space and no budget for new furniture—just a handful of hand-me-down pieces:
Now the same corner serves as a fully functional dining area right off the kitchen. During our kitchen remodel we widened the doorway to improve flow and create a more open, connected feel:
We bought the pendant lamp at CB2 for $49 and had an electrician wire it above the table for about $100—an inexpensive investment for a brand-new eating space that suits our open-plan lifestyle. Placing the dining spot adjacent to the kitchen makes serving and clearing the table effortless. Our modest setup was even featured in Do It Yourself magazine and the Australian edition of Better Homes & Gardens. It’s literally just a table at the end of a long living room, but it works.
Three affordable floating shelves from Ikea add architectural interest and personality. We use them to display dishes and bottles, which feels playful and appropriate for a dining area. Since many readers ask about installation, here’s what we did: we bought metal anchors at Lowe’s that matched the screws included with the Ikea shelves and were rated to support a good amount of weight. Each shelf was centered on the wall with 17 inches between them. To install the anchors, predrill holes slightly smaller than the anchors, tap them in with a hammer until flush, then screw the shelf brackets into the anchors. Nearly three years later, our shelves are still solid with plenty of weight on them.
Spacing matters if you plan to display specific items. Measure the height of frames, vases, or other pieces before mounting the shelves so you leave enough room. There’s nothing worse than mounting shelves only to discover your photos or objects won’t fit.
We also swapped two wooden chairs for a padded leather storage bench. The bench breaks up the wood tones, provides concealed storage, and creates a cozy “booth” that my partner and I share at dinner every night. It’s comfortable and slightly romantic, and it doubles as extra seating for guests in the living room—people can sit on it facing the couch as easily as they can face the table.
So, three inexpensive Ikea shelves, a bench, a table, and a pendant light turned an overlooked corner of our living room into a practical, inviting dining nook right off the kitchen.
We also gained a third bedroom and more kitchen cabinetry by rethinking our floor plan. We converted the old, unused dining room—which already had a closet—into a bedroom:
By closing the doorway that once connected the kitchen to the old dining room, we reclaimed significant counter and cabinet space in the kitchen:
A small shift in how you use existing rooms can unlock many benefits: extra storage, new living zones, and a more functional layout. Have you repurposed a room in your home—a bedroom turned into a library or sewing room, or an attic converted into a master suite? Are you planning any reconfigurations to better suit your lifestyle? Tell us about your projects and what changes made the biggest difference.