Dining Room Alternatives

If you find that your dining room goes unused most of the time, there are plenty of ways to transform the space to suit your lifestyle and needs. Reclaim the room by turning it into a swanky lounge, a practical home office or even a cozy guest suite. Whether you need storage or a spot to relax, you can repurpose the dining room in an array of exciting ways.

Alternative Dining Room Ideas

Changing needs and hectic lifestyles call for flexibility in design, and an underutilized dining room is a great place to start. You and your family can get the most out of this unused space by switching up the furniture and decor. Check out these dining room alternatives if you’re ready to refresh your layout:

Contemporary Lounge: Create a cool, upscale aesthetic by turning your dining room into a bar. Counter- and bar-height pub sets are chic options for serving drinks, while a streamlined chaise adds cozy seating for your guests. For the final touch, use servers and buffets to display your selection of spirits and glassware.

Rustic Retreat: To create a relaxing guest room, deck out your dining room with a rustic bedroom set. Coordinating dressers and nightstands help promote a charming cottage vibe. Bed linens in soothing earth tones such as brown, green, yellow and orange also add a hint of inviting warmth.

Family-Friendly Entertainment Room: For a home theater, game room or play area, comfort is key. Replace your dining room furniture with a plush sofa and fireplace TV console for a cozy appeal. You can also find colorful kids’ accent pieces like easels, tents, craft tables and storage cubbies to add fun and functionality to the space.

Modern Multipurpose Room: A clean and simple look suits the needs of a home office or hobby room. Choose a small desk for your workstation, or try a sleek rectangle table for a spacious crafting surface. Casual bookcases, modern light fixtures, and desk chairs in a neutral beige, black or gray shade put the finishing touch on this multifunctional space.

Turn Your Dining Room into a Lounge

Combine living room and dining room furniture to create a comfy and chic at-home lounge. Use a glamorous metal bar cart or a spacious dark wood sideboard to store wine, spirits and mixers. Set up a spacious bar height table with adjustable bar stools where guests can sit and chat while you mix cocktails.

For seating, try a plush living room set with an attached chaise lounge. Add a few leather cocktail ottomans or glass-top end tables for guests to set down drinks. For overhead lighting, try rugged bronze pendant lights or glam silver chandeliers. To tie it all together, toss a few cozy accent pillows on the couch and hang a large art installation for a statement wall.

Repurpose Your Dining Room into a Guest Room

If it makes sense with your home’s layout, you may want to turn your dining room into a spare bedroom. Create a cozy getaway for overnight guests with a low-profile queen panel bed and comfy bedding that complements your color scheme. For an extra layer of softness, roll out a cushy area rug.

Give visitors plenty of space to stow their clothes and toiletries with a dresser and mirror set and a chest of drawers. Other bedroom accent pieces can include comfy upholstered benches, stools and vanities. Alternatively, a sleeper sofa, loveseat or