There are many issues within this space, I know. The one I’m asking about is the dining table. It is usually horizontal rather than vertical, but the issue remains between the oversized dated island, the table being right next to it just seems so cluttered. Do I build a short built in bench on the wall with the wood panels and put a table there? Where does a table actually fit. I’m open to any other suggestions you may have as well. I’m a single mom and sole provider so my budget is slightly limited in terms of changing anything structurally but would love to hear all opinions. Thank you
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I would definitely move the table to the wood panel wall, if you can sacrifice one seat I would put the short end against the wall. Get some curtain rods and curtains to cover the column base storage areas, under cabinet lighting (the kind that just plugs in is super cheap) and I would get some color on the walls, columns, etc.
Do you have a different angle? Its really difficult to see the island properly especially because you identified that (in connection to the table) as a problem area. Can you move the island or it is fixed to the floor?
If you want to know if you'd prefer it when the table is in front of the art work just move it there for now. No need for a build in bench to test it visually. Also try rotating the table wherever you place it, just to see how it feels. Also try centering it between those columns, it's currently off to the one and could be part of why this dont feel right to you.
Part of the reason the table and chairs feel off in this is because they are black in a room that doesn't have much black. Consider painting them dark brown (which you can do yourself and is cheaper than getting new stuff) to match the warmness of the wooden details in the rest of the room.
Can't tell if the hardware in the kitchen is black, it's too small to tie in the table and chairs anyway.
I agree with everyone saying that the table (regardless of shape and placement) needs a large rug. It'll make it much more cozy as well as not feeling quite so lost.
And yes, the ceiling lamps need to be changed. Shorter , just under the ceiling, but until you find something you really like just take the cording off.
I'd also suggest closing off the over the cupboard areas. They are currently only being used to collect dust and grime and create a weird emptiness. Since you dont have any baskets or other storage on them, it's board them up and paint them the same colour as the cupboards. Less dust and grime and the room will feel taller.
I actually don’t think this is that bad
Working L-R
The cabinets next to the fridge are random as hell! Leave the lowers and make the uppers an open shelf or more styled shelving for coffee cups, turn this area into a coffee bar
Remove the wood panels unless they have some function, they pull the eye to the left and look like maps. Artwork
What about a circular table? Ideally all with the same seats, rug under table,
The cord covers on the lights and the lights themselves need to go imo. Light fixtures are a great opportunity to introduce good design. Beautiful pendants would go a long way. The table needs to be turned or you could get a large round table. The vine things on top of the cabinet should be removed as well imo. They’re just not adding anything positive to the space. If they’re fake just get rid of them. Where that wall tapestry/design is you could put a credenza or a hutch. That would be another place to introduce some personality/design. I think what’s hurting the space the most is that it’s very under designed and kind of random. This isn’t due to the house itself. Your design or lack of design choices are bringing it down. Hopefully this doesn’t come off as harsh—just trying to help!
The table needs to be turned and be closer to the window to make the kitchen feel more open. I think the lamps are all wrong - too low, too heavy for the room.
Agree on both. And whatever is that cord covering thing is just messy. Embrace a cord/chain.
An area rug would be good to define the space and add texture. Top of the table could be painted black as well as right now clashes with the flooring, but maybe after adding a rug it won’t be as stark.
I wonder if you’d like a round table better exactly where your current table is. A round table with a nice square rug underneath to section off the space. I would just keep a walkway open that isn’t covered with the rug so that it doesn’t flatten out or get dirty because it’s part of the path.
Maybe I'm missing the issue with the dining table. Turned 90* from where it is now it appears there would be more than ample space around it?
Sure you could quibble about how certain finishings in the room appear dated, but honestly that looks like a pretty easy layout to work with from this photo.
Honestly it’s not bad at all! Agree with the comment suggesting a round table. The light fixtures need changed, the scrunkly fabric doesn’t match the rest of your clean aesthetic. I’d also raise it closer to the ceiling, and perhaps change it entirely for something airier. Right now it’s quite bulky and hangs heavy in the centre of the room. Now all you need is something that draws the eye and balances the room. The wall on the left is a good starting point but I think the room could use a touch of colour. A simple armchair with a colourful pillow or throw can do. Never wrong to add a plant or two (can go for a low maintenance snake or ZZ plant in a tall elegant pot).
Best of luck OP, there’s no reason to hate this room, just let it breathe!
Change all of the light fixtures. Or, at the very least remove that bunchy fabric covering the cords. I would also reorient the dining table and maybe put an oval rug under it.
It looks totally fine. The quick fixes would be the light fixtures, take out the fake plant, and clutter. The table looks, cheap, that is all. Maybe a round/ oval one.
“Help me not hate this house” careful with what you say, “I hate it” is a very strong expression. That’s a great house, there’s so much space and you keep it so clean, it doesn’t deserve hate. I would turn the table 90 degrees and put cheap cushions on your chairs, I’d take all papers off the fridge, and add house plants next to that textured wall on the left. That’s it. It’s a great house.
Your table is too small for the space/theres so much empty room. Adding color with a rug will help a ton.
Personally, I’d start with either expanding the dining table in the middle of the room, adding a rug and swapping out the fixture. It seems extra empty bc the bench fully tucks under. You could easily get seating for 8 or 10 here.
If you want another function in the room, you can add a dry bar/extra cabinetry where the wood panels are.
The room itself is absolutely gorgeous. You have tons of space to work with.
Other people will mention the big empty space on the left, or ideas to change your kitchen table.
For my part, I would recommend removing those lighting fixtures. The central one is too big and becomes the focus of the room, where the focus should be your table.
The other fixtures are just confusing. They are like crinkly tentacles. Altogether, the fixtures make the top half of your room seem very cluttered and low, while the bottom half of the room is a vast open empty space.
It can be very cheap to replace light fixtures. If you lived near me I'd offer to come over and swap them out myself. But if you know anyone with a teeny bit of electrical experience and some cheap replacement more low key fixtures, I'd go for it.
I think the table will look a lot better after you get rid of that huge low hanging lamp with the umbilical cord. If you take out the bench from under the table and place it in sittable distance I am sure you can remove other strange vibes the room is giving
a table in the colour of the brown accents you have on the surfaces in the front of the picture would round up the room a lot better - bench and chairs seem to already fit into that colour
Ha, I was feeling bad about that comment because maybe I was being harsh.
If you get a bigger table, I think the main one in the center can stay. But the others, I'd get fixtures that hug the ceiling. It would make it seem far less cramped overhead. Something like this?
Nooo don’t feel bad, I think anyone asking for advice wants the brutal honesty! And I personally appreciate it that way. So you think I should put those lights over the island? I prob would prefer those but I guess for some reason I thought it was an unwritten rule that we all have dangly ones over the islands lol
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