12 Ways to Make the Most of Your Dining Room Corners
When I was growing up, the TV game show The Price Is Right made
me think that dining rooms were a real snore. The new dining room sets
of the "showcase showdown" usually included a matchy-matchy dining table
and chairs, a buffet and a cumbersome cabinet, all lined up parallel to
one another atop some thick wall-to-wall carpet. One way to avoid TPIR
dining room set ennui is to distract with "Barker's beauties" (the
show's models). The other is to place your furniture off that grid and
cleverly angle some furniture and accessories into the corners.
Angle in the extra chairs. We've all seen the extras pushed up against a wall; try filling an extra corner with one.
Make a reading spot. In a small home, every little area counts. An armchair paired with a lamp can result in a favorite reading place.
Add storage. Build in a corner cabinet ...
by Elan Designs
by Elan Designs
... or better yet, nestle in two
corner cabinets. This is such a handy way to store those unwieldy
platters and tureens that don't fit into the kitchen cabinets and to
display beloved pieces of china and silver.
by Maria Killam
by Maria Killam
A more contemporary take on the built-in china cabinet, this freestanding shelf unit makes the most out of the space.
Use other furniture.
Secretary desks are neither built in nor typically used in a dining
room, but angling one into a corner is a great idea. The top can be used
for display, the hidden desktop can hold large serving pieces, and the
drawers can store linens.
Arrange a meeting for your window treatments. Coordinating drapes that frame windows and cover a corner create floor-to-ceiling continuity.
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Tuck in a plant. Whether perched on a plant stand or placed in a banquette corner, a plant will breathe life into your dining room.
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Make room for a fireplace.
While you may not have room along one side, a corner is a good spot for
tucking in a fireplace; it will be out of the way yet still in view for
cozy dinners.
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Find art that rounds the bend.
Whether it's unique pieces like these that can be assembled at an angle
or a larger wall mural, art can enliven a corner. In this dining room, a
well-placed floor lamp illuminates it.
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Similarly, you can prop a painting on an easel in the corner.
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Place a sculpture. A large
piece of artwork will ensure that your corner is anything but boring.
Just make sure to balance it with your centerpiece.
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Nestle in a bar. Why waste
time shuttling to the kitchen for cocktail refills when you can keep
everything you need in a built-in or freestanding bar? This one includes
undercabinet lighting, glass doors for displaying glasses and a
stunning copper backsplash.
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Here's another example of a built-in bar that works.
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You can also place a temporary bar in the corner without having to make a big commitment.
