What to do with half wall between kitchen and family room

Question

There is a half wall between my kitchen and family room. I have been debating what to do with it.  Should I leave the wall as is, paint it an accent color or decorate it in some way? (On the other side of the wall are the sink, dishwasher, kitchen counter, etc.) I don't have the $ for anything major. Suggestions would be appreciated. #kitchen #decorating

Stephanie Fudge · Answer

Could you put a wider piece on top to make a breakfast bar with a couple of bar stools and use beadboard at the bottom?

Janet Pizaro · Answer

I would definetely accent the wall with a different color.

Elaine · Answer

It depends on what is bugging you, Lauren, if anything.  If the family room is tiny, painting the half wall a different color might close in the room too much.  Also, is there another wall over on the right (in the family room)  that's facing in the same direction?  What I'm getting at is ... when you see a wall painted a different color, the WHOLE wall is painted - whether or not there's an entrance into another room - so if there's another wall (not shown in the photo) you should paint that as well & treat it (the right side) the same as the left.  I hope this isn't too confusing as it's hard to explain in a post.  If the room is small, I'd leave it the way it is and just place a low decorative bowl on the counter/shelf.  If the opening is bugging you, though, and you want it closed off a bit, a pair of (white to match trim) shutters would be cute but just leave them semi-opened.  It's more for decor than actually closing off your view from the kitchen into the family room.

Bernice H · Answer

Do you have children? Or maybe the pool playing guys are young at heart. You could paint chalkboard paint on the half wall and keep score, write inspirational sayings,draw pictures,......could be a fun addition!

William · Answer

Since you have a pool table, I would use the wall to display/store the pool accessories. 3M command hooks come in all kinds of configurations to hang anything. They stick on the wall and can be removed without damaging the wall. I would mount hooks to hold the pool cues horizontally, a hook for the triangle, and a thin shelf with slightly higher edging to hold the balls and chalk. The edging would prevent the balls from rolling off.

MD · Answer

Have you thought about looking for some decorative brackets and hanging the pool cues in their sides along the wall at the bottom? Or you can look for old windows or frames and hang them from the ceiling with eye hooks? You can still see and get light into your kitchen, but it will give the illusion of a full wall.

Patricia wieck · Answer

shelves?

Eadie Camp · Answer

I would add a countertop and barstools--make it a place for people to sit and visit with you while you're in the kitchen, or sit and watch the pool game!

Lauren of Mom Home Guide · Answer

This is a view of the pool table from the other side. (This photo is from a few years ago.)

Ashleygrove · Answer

I would transform it into a bar area. With elegant high top stools and instead of one light fixture get a pair

Lisa · Answer

You could make custom bookcases with either cabinet doors or with curtains and use them to store dry goods like a pantry.

Patty S · Answer

I would remove it and open up the area.

Amy Lauzon · Answer

Home Depot has 4x8 sheets of faux brick and stone paneling, you could use it below and add a bar top.

Dic4965015 · Answer

Depending on your lifestyle, you could do as others have suggested and make it an eating bar with a wider top than at present...or increase the top ledge by about 8' (over top?), frame out the post with wood and molding, and add cabinets or shelves for bookcase effect. Trimmed out nicely, that could look very good and also serve as storage.

Bobbie · Answer

I added shelves for book and toy storage.  I have also painted it with magnetic chalkboard paint. It kept my kids and grandkids busy for hours. I bought a couple dozen misc sized magnets for them to use to create art pieces !!

861650 · Answer

I like the eating bar idea listed above. It could be something simple for right now since there is a money issue. Later on you could tile it and even put tile underneath. If you do this, take a sample of your paint color and one of your wooden drawers with you when shopping so there will be NO question on color coordination. If you can't decide, then lay it down for awhile then go back to it. You may want to google, 'kitchen bar designs' or something like it. Pin what you 'love.'

Lauren of Mom Home Guide · Answer

Thanks, everyone. Good ideas. I like the bar idea, but I am not sure it'd work. There isn't very much room between the pool table and the wall -- plus, I know my husband doesn't want to encroach on the play area! (Unless I could store the stools elsewhere.) Not sure what I will do. Maybe I should just even leave the wall alone! Don't know!

9530106 · Answer

I think it looks fine the way it is, maybe just paint it an accent color.Love to see you have beautiful oak furniture and cupboards! To me they are just classic!

Faye Campbell · Answer

Just a suggestion Lauren. ..You have a lot of oak in your kitchen. You could ease the transition into your kitchen by changing the trim on the half wall to oak.

Karen R. · Answer

Put shiplap that is the same shade of wood as your cabinets or a shade or to darker on it.

Tracy · Answer

Board and Batten would look great here. It would provide depth and interest to the space and you already have the top trim to tie into. I would also entertain the thought of maybe coming up with a way to hang your pool sticks horizontally in this space. That would make a nice accent to the pool table area.

Pauliegirl1 · Answer

I would add a piece of 'nice' wide wood OR if you 'search' you might be able to find some granite/marble (granite places usually have pieces cut, that were wrong for original customer) add some bar stools for a breakfast bar. Do the board and batten thing, and beautiful bar!!!

Carol · Answer

You might try bookselves or shelves and use books books books.

Brenda · Answer

Place a small counter top on the wall with decorative supports attached underneath and onto the wall - paint wall to match the rest of your room colors

Johnchip · Answer

For now, first step. paint a nice color you like and live with it for a while. Cost $15 quart of paint. I would not make it too busy.

Kaye Smith · Answer

Add sturdy wide wood and make a breakfast bar add stools, great place for a quick meal

Liz · Answer

I've seen this type arrangement done beautifully by attaching louvered doors, or wooden shutters on the top of the wall. It gives privacy to your kitchen and screens it from the other rooms. (My kitchen is usually so messy, I don't like people looking at my dirty dishes, etc.) Under the shutters, you can have a breakfast bar built out to eat on, pay bills, provide a place for kids to do homework, etc. You could also put up the shutters on top of this half wall and up against the wall below, add a nice piece of furniture, a hutch base, or a wall of bookcases. You could build in storage cabinets up against the bottom wall.

Trudy Hibler · Answer

I love the idea that's been suggested of adding a countertop there with decorative corbels underneath, creating a little breakfast bar. Adding barstools would increase seating in the family room area and give everyone a place to eat a quick snack while still being part of the fun and games in the family room. You can check out local thrift stores for inexpensive stools. They wouldn't have to match. Just paint them the same color to give them a cohesive look.

Jane Harriss Naus · Answer

Folks are REALLY creative! I love all the good suggestions you got! I was thinking more of 'Free' stuff - like a pallet wood stained would be a nice addition - but I would go with a white stain or a whitewash since you have such nice wood already... Just an idea!

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