Narrow-Room Solution: Split It Up
Many classic American homes are blessed (cursed?) With a long, narrow combination living room and dining area. These rooms can be hard to decorate because they seem too slim and provide no organic division points. The challenge would be to delineate the 2 spaces while maintaining the appearance cohesive.
How do you combine the two without sacrificing aesthetics or function? Furniture structure, area rugs and elevation differences could have a big influence on how the space functions. Continue reading for some wonderful tips for splitting up the square footage.
John Lum Architecture, Inc.. AIA
You can create distinct zones in a long, narrow area. The trick to this setup: The table sits perpendicular to the couch so the spaces seem separate. The horizontal positioning of the table also keeps the room from looking awkward.
If your dining area warms up to your kitchen, you might also use this little trick. Setting a long table perpendicular to the line of cabinetry defines the dining table area.
Susan M. Davis
This technique also works with an island bar, placed to separate the 2 spaces visually and physically.
Arcanum Architecture
This case uses two approaches to create three distinct spaces. The dining room table lines up with all the kitchen island for consistency, but is placed perpendicular to the couch, providing a stopping point for the eye. The 3 elements work along with the grid window to provide a pleasing arrangement.
Chelsea Atelier Architect, PC
Working using the long, straight lines may also be effective. Here, putting the couch and table on the same vertical line produces a hallway that mirrors the staircase. A tone-on-tone area rug divides the living room in the dining area.
Choosing an area rug the same color for a tabletop is a fantastic way to combine two distances together while keeping them distinct. The carpet solidifies a collection of mismatched furniture. Meanwhile, the consequences of the dining room chairs defines the eating area.
Cathy Schwabe Architecture
Consider using rounded shapes to cancel the rectangular shape of a room like this. A round dining table allows more seating in a little space and breaks up all of the straight lines, which divides the spaces.
Lea Frank Design
Echoing a round dining table with a round coffee table and mirror provides a connection between the two spaces, while a rectangular rug divides them.
Gary Hutton Design
Elevating part of the room may be the perfect means to separate spaces. In this narrow area, the dining room opens several measures higher than the dwelling room.
David Vandervort Architects
Consider putting your couch at an angle to split spaces and create a walkway between them. Balance the seating with an extra seat and ground the arrangement using a showy area rug.
Vanessa De Vargas
Delineating a dining space from the rest of a huge living space can be as simple as painting blocks on the wall. This simple treatment makes a distinct dining”room” and adds a color punch into a white-on-white palette.
See more white-on-white rooms
MW Interiors
Whether through the use of art, unusual furniture positioning or little architectural changes, it is possible to make a narrow area work. When planning your combination living-dining room, don’t forget to consider shape, furniture orientation and colour to design a place that is suitable for you.
More:
Arranging Furniture in a Long, Narrow Room
Architect’s Toolbox: Beautifully Layered Spaces
14 Approaches to Maximize a Skinny Space