Family Room
If you live in a small space it might be necessary for you to use every room every day. If you only entertain a few times a year a formal dining room might seem like a waste of space. You may be able to relocate your eating area into the breakfast nook in order to free up a room. Turn the dining room into a family room to create more usable space in your home.
Traffic Flow
Dining rooms are usually located next to the kitchen. Ensure that the surfaces that you choose for the new family room will be able to withstand any food that you bring out of the kitchen. If your dining room is open to the kitchen, separate the area with ceiling beams, different flooring or built in bookshelves that can act as a half wall.
Give the new family room a distinct theme to separate it from a visible living room. A family room can include a study area or craft space. If the dining room has a built in buffet, put a flat screen TV over it to turn the area into a family room. The former buffet can serve as a new entertainment center to house DVDs and electronics.
Light Fixtures
Dining rooms have distinctive light fixtures. Your space may have a low chandelier that hung over the table. In a family room this can interrupt the flow of foot traffic or your guests may inadvertently bang heads against the light fixture. Replace the lighting for a smaller fixture that is closer to the ceiling and matches the fixtures in the other living areas of your home.
Flooring
Your dining room may have durable flooring in it to easily mop up spills. Family rooms usually have more cozy carpet. Lay down removable floor tiles to add color, patterns and more comfort to the new family room. Large area rugs will help dampen noise.
Furniture
Reuse your dining room furniture in the living room to save money. If you have a drop leaf table, fold it to its smallest size and use it as a desk to do homework on. Dining room chairs can serve as accent chairs or use a spare chair at the desk. Place a buffet under a flat screen TV for a makeshift entertainment center. Buy small scale couches or sectionals if the family room is short on space.
Multi-Purpose Rooms
Your dining room can be a family room and still work for formal functions. Look for a dining table that can also be a game table. Some tables can convert into pool or poker table to quickly change your dining room into a family room and back again.
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