Do You Really Need a Dining Room?

 I recently had a client who hired me to help with some placement of items in her home as well as provide some updating. Her main dilemma was that they never used the dining room and she wanted to re-purpose it.  In fact, she said it had been years since they’d had a meal in the room, but she was really nervous about not having a formal dining room as it is “what you’re supposed to have”.
 
Upon my review, I realized that they had a nice area in the kitchen where the entire family could gather to eat together. After realizing this, I had no problem completely changing what was supposed to be the formal dining room into a room that served a purpose for this family. This room in its current state was full of stagnant energy. The table had been removed months ago in preparation for changing it and it was literally a large empty space. The lighting in the room was even dull and depressing.
To turn this room around and make it into a room they loved, we designed it to be a reading room. We ordered two big comfy chairs with ottomans, a plush rug, new light fixture and then some small tables and accessories.

They now love this room and spend a lot of time here. The adults can be in this room reading in the evenings while the kids are in the very next room watching tv or doing homework. The layout of these rooms is actually so open that it is almost like they’re in the same room, but enjoying their own activities.
This family has really enjoyed the change and I just know the energy of the entire house has improved since we made these changes too. There is no reason to feel like you have to have what everyone else has. If you want to turn a spare room into a meditation room, go for it. Turn a guest room into an office or a reading retreat.

As long as you have specific areas dedicated to nourishing your body through food, rest and exercise I’m all for it!

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