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How Can I Decorate My Small Dining Room to Serve Multiple Functions?

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Create a room for lounging, conversation, reading, and dining. Design gurus on casaGURU answer a homeowner's question about how create a multifunctional space in their dining room.

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Q. I don't know if you can help me or not, but our small dining room has a fireplace in the corner. I would like to get some ideas on how to turn my dining room into not only an eating area, but also a reading/leisure area in front of the fireplace. Thank you for any help. (from Susan W.)

A. Many thanks for emailing us! Having a dining room with a corner fireplace and being able to also use it for lounging sounds like the perfect interior.

You obviously feel comfortable in the space, and we feel strongly that you should put a lot of effort in getting it to function well for you and your family.

Unfortunately, owing to its size, there will need to be some compromising. In other words, you might not have as many dining chairs if the space were to be used solely as a dining area, or it might not be as comfortable for a huge crowd were to be used only for lounging. Refer to the picture which shows a very elegant small dining room area with a fireplace and a mix of chairs that can be rearranged for lounging, conversation, reading, and dining.

The dining table should be a round table with extensions. That will allow you to flex up or down for different numbers of diners.

Avetex Furniture (www.avetexfurniture.com) has a variety of round and oval contemporary dining tables with extensions. You can choose the finish to blend in best with your decor: cherry, wenge, or natural.

Berry Design (www.berrydesign.co.uk) is a UK firm that will make simple oak round and oval dining room tables to the specific dimensions of your living space. Refer to the photo which shows an ideal dining grouping in front of a fireplace. Note the larger chair against the wall.

There should be two large chairs that you can use both for dining and lounging. Wing chairs are comfortable for both lounging and dining. The table should be placed against a wall, with the two chairs at the table, opposite each other, and a small bench under the table, opposite the wall.

Refer to the photo of West Elm's (www.westelm.com) economical Garvey Leather Dining Chairs. They are upholstered in an easy to clean, stain proof chocolate leather for practical daily use.

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