How to Transform My Dining Room Into a Den
If a formal dining room doesn’t suit your family’s lifestyle, then transform it into a den so that it’s more helpful as a place for quiet recreation and comfort. Before you begin your makeover, then assess the dining room’s location and design. A dining room that’s separated from the kitchen and other rooms provides a simple escape from family distractions. If the dining room is in a high-traffic place or it’s several entry points, you might want to add doors or seams to make it even more personal.
Choose Your Den Style
A den provides space for quiet and relaxation activities. Although the term conjures images of masculine rooms furnished in dark paneling and leather, a den could be decorated in virtually any fashion. When you plan your new den’s decor, consider who will use the room and what they’ll be doing there. If you’d like your den to be a couple’s retreat for reading, sipping wine and listening to music, include a couch, chairs and cocktail table on your plan. If the space will get a family-friendly no-TV zone, then your den requires lots of seating and a large table for jobs and quiet games. Measure the room and sketch a floor plan which creates an area for each task — gathering, relaxing and sitting with a good novel.
Make a Fresh Start
To start the room’s transformation, remove furniture, window treatments and accessories. Paint the room in a palette of calming colors, such as earth tones, neutrals, greens or blues. Crisp white trim complements any wall color, but a dark shade enhances the calming feeling that you want to create. If you are dedicated to traditional den style, utilize deep brown paint using a suede finish. Warm up the flooring with area rugs in neutral tweeds or subtle patterns that coordinate with your color scheme. Layer the carpets over the existing tile, hardwood — or even wall-to-wall carpeting — to designate each of the den’s regions. Choose unfussy window coverings such as panels, shades and shutters which provide privacy and let natural light in.
Repurpose Furniture
Until your dining room was furnished with a couch, you are probably going to need to invest in a few new things for your own den. However, you might have the ability to repurpose some of your dining room furniture to serve new purposes. To utilize the dining table as a roomy desk, push it against a wall; add an office chair, and tuck little storage containers under. If hobby and game spaces are a part of your den plan, adjust the table table into your desired size and surround it with a couple chairs. You can paint and re-cover the dining suite’s chairs or buy new ones. Rather than displaying dishes in a china closet, use the shelves for books and collectibles. Repurpose a sideboard as a home bar or a storage area for games.
Make It Cozy
When you transform your dining room to your den, the room should feel as cozy as it appears. Incorporate a little sofa or loveseat and easy chairs in the design, arranging them to accommodate quiet conversations and solitary comfort. Choose upholstery that fits with your den’s style — buttery leather for traditional decor, calming solids and understated print cloths for a casual appearance. Continue the topic of quiet comfort with soft pillows and throws. To add visual warmth to the den, choose lamps that provide appropriate lighting for reading and other tasks. Rather than dark overhead fixtures, bring about table and floor lamps with dimmer switches. Enhance the den’s coziness with nature prints, family photos and simple, meaningful accessories.