I don't need 2 dining areas... 😐

My great room is very large, 18ftX36ft w 24ft vaulted ceilings. So it takes a lot of furniture very easily. We opted to place a bar height table and chairs to the back of this room, under the light fixture as our main eating area. Just to the right is the dining area into the kitchen I placed a chair and mirror there just so it wasn't so empty. You can see this area from the main room as well and I thought another table would look silly. There's only 2 of us. We just don't need it. The dining area is 12X8. HELP!! WHAT CAN BE DONE IN THIS SPACE??? All ideas welcomed !!
Main room
To the right of main room
Table under light fixture
Side view
  16 answers
  • Julies1949 Julies1949 on Oct 01, 2016
    Is there a reason you didn't want the bar height table in the dining area? If you moved it there, you could create another conversation area in the great room where the table is now. If you want to leave the table where it is, you could create a study or library in the dining area.
  • Johnchip Johnchip on Oct 01, 2016
    Large aquarium or aviary would be stunning.
  • Deanna Nassar Deanna Nassar on Oct 01, 2016
    Gee, it's dark in there. Are you also using it for TV viewing? I don't see anything across from the area with couch. I'd want some more light in the area; maybe wall sconces or Torche style floor lamp. If you play games or work puzzles you could put a small table under the mirror for that.
  • Cindy Hagemann Cindy Hagemann on Oct 01, 2016
    Office area with a desk, nice chair, computer, etc.?
  • Debi53 Debi53 on Oct 01, 2016
    What about lining the wall where the mirror is with bookcases. Fill these not only with books, but pottery, pictures, baskets, etc. Then put 2 comfortable reclining chairs or maybe with a footstool. Put a round table with a skirt between the chairs underneath the hanging lights. Put an area rug underneath the grouping. Since you have outlets on that wall, mount sconces or swing arm lamps on the fronts of the bookcases and run the cords through small holes cut in the backs.
  • Create an area like a mudroom, built in benches with storage areas, hooks for coats, etc...
  • Sloante5 Sloante5 on Oct 02, 2016
    I like the chair and mirror (especially the mirror, as it adds light) - what about adding a 2nd chair with an attractive table (faux finish, stone, ect) between the two. It would be a great place for you both to sit and have coffee, read the paper, just chat. Also be a comfy space for dinner guests to 'visit' while you are in the kitchen. We have a similar set up, and I find having the small 'reading nook" keeps the mess of newspapers and magazines out of the main room.
  • Susan Susan on Oct 02, 2016
    If I understand you correctly you opted not to place the table nearest the kitchen...I guess my biggest question is why would you not put your main table near the kitchen? Do you eat mostly order out food or don't you mind trapsing all the way across the room for setting the table and food placement? Don't understand why you did this...An office or another sitting area is what should be done in whatever empty space I think.
  • Suzanne Hunt Suzanne Hunt on Oct 02, 2016
    I'm with sloante5, buy 2 club chairs with a matching large ottoman. Not leather, since you have pets, use sunbrella solid white fabric. Then you can change out your throw pillows on the chairs, for different look. Get rid of the hanging lights, it makes it look like a dining room. Warm up the room with an outdoor rug.( All you have to do to clean the rug, is wash it with a hose!) Make this your morning room! Buy a large wooden tray for the ottoman to hold newspapers, magazines etc. you will need an antique chest of drawers against the wall with a porcelain lamp. Warm the area up!
  • Suzanne Suzanne on Oct 02, 2016
    Fill it with lighter colored furnishings / decor etc. as dark colors recede large light colored Art works on walls ...
  • Sue Ryan Sue Ryan on Oct 02, 2016
    I agree with Melody. Mudroom is the way to go.
  • Lizzy L Lizzy L on Oct 02, 2016
    It's so dark, so right off the bat, I would paint the walls & ceiling white, light grey or greige. then clad the beams in reclaimed wood. The heavy leather furniture has to go. Make the stone floor area by the door more of a mudroom with a large white cubby & hooks furniture piece, and add a bench for a place to take off your shoes. Look at Pinterest and Houzz for similar spaces for ideas.
  • Mikki Berkowitz Mikki Berkowitz on Oct 02, 2016
    Dependent upon your lifestyle, you could make it a bar - add a bar a few feet in front of the mirror, and some stools. This may be handy being next to the kitchen. Also, handy to the kitchen would be to make it a sort of butler's pantry - nice cabinets to hold overflow from the kitchen. My first thought was to make it a library - add some nice bookshelves around the mirror, a standing lamp next to the chair(s), an ottoman, etc. (think Harvard law school.) Yes, it seems a bit dark in the pictures, but some would call that 'ambiance'. Again, it depends upon your lifestyle what would work for you. Hope this helped.
  • Karen Williams Karen Williams on Oct 03, 2016
    Is there a reason you don't want the table & chairs near the kitchen? Working with your current setup, I would either make an office area where the hanging lamps are or a bench (for a mud-area). Move the lonely leather chair to the same area with the sofa & loveseat (facing the tv?) and pull the leather pcs 12-18" apart - this will use up more space. Then anchor this grouping with a large area rug, if desired. I like Mikki's ideas, too - maybe find a Barrister Bookcase (they look antique & have glass doors).
  • Stella Stella on Oct 03, 2016
    I think I would start by lighten the color of the walls, its so dark in your living space. Then u would move the table and chairs near the kitchen, leaving the mirror. Move the lonely leather chair in front of the window with a bigger side table for a cozy reading area, and place to play your guitars.Place some bright colored pillows,to match your lighter wall color on the sofas.
  • Jeanette S Jeanette S on Oct 04, 2016
    I love dark and shadowy colors...so this is perfect for me! I assume that table behind the sofa is what you call your dining area...???? I would move this to the designated area near the kitchen. Then behind the sofa, I would make a dogie play area, a reading nook near the window, etc. A couple of cozy overstuffed chairs with a large ottoman facing each other where you could get good light to read or gaze out the window and day dream!! A low toy box for the pups toys under the window would be a homey touch!