12 Ways to Make the Most of Your Dining Room Corners
More storage, artwork display space or a roaring fire to enliven your dining area can all be yours ... if the corners are right
Houzz Contributor. Hi There! I currently live in a 1920s cottage in Atlanta that I'll describe as "collected."
I got into design via Landscape Architecture, which I studied at the University of Virginia. I've been writing about design online for quite a few years over at Hatch: The Design Public Blog.
Houzz Contributor. Hi There! I currently live in a 1920s cottage in Atlanta... More »
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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.
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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.
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Add storage. Build in a corner cabinet ...
by Elan Designs
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... 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
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A more contemporary take on the built-in china cabinet, this freestanding shelf unit makes the most out of the space.
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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.
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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. |
| 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. |
by Nicole Lanteri
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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.
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It would not be one of my corner-themed ideabooks if I didn't include a gratuitous corner window shot. I think this one wins for best view. As 30 Rock's Liz Lemon says, I want to go to there!
Want ideas for making the most of corners in other rooms? Check out our ideabooks on corners in the kitchen, corners in the home office, corners in the bedroom, corners in the entryway and corners in the living room and family room.
Want ideas for making the most of corners in other rooms? Check out our ideabooks on corners in the kitchen, corners in the home office, corners in the bedroom, corners in the entryway and corners in the living room and family room.
Comments
mosterzilla This was an absolute excellent article, thank you so much, you did an amazing jobs especially with the images you picked.
4 months ago · Like
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lslav2012 All good ideas, except for the chair in the corner. It completely reminds me of a "time-out" chair for the naughty kid at the table ... which, of course, I never was. :)
4 months ago · Like
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hhmason I want to go there too!
4 months ago · Like
caroperry I love this collection! Great ideas - thanks!
4 months ago · Like
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ymmdfd Our grandfather clock is currently enjoying our dining room corner. Eventually we hope a fireplace will take its place. 
4 months ago · Like
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vixk9 I love the temporary bar idea. Perfect, even for the smallest of spaces.
4 months ago · Like
linbar Wonderful ideas! Thank you for this as it gives me a few ideas of my own.
4 months ago · Like
Ideabook updated on Jan. 12, 2013.
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