Today I am sharing my dining nook design plan and mood board. As I outlined in our 2023 house plans post, finishing our dining nook is a priority this year. For years after we moved into our home, the setup of this room was basic: rectangular table in the center under a pendant light. The space is generously-sized, but didn’t feel that way. There is a door to the screened porch that swings inward, and the bay window area wasn’t functional due to a ledge that was wide, but not wide enough for seating. I knew we could improve the usability of this space.
I had three goals. 1. Capitalize on the available space by creating a built-in bench in the bay. 2. Add seating, decor, and/or storage to make the room multi-functional and pretty. 3. Orient the focus to take advantage of the views of the backyard, woods, and pond.
dining nook today
Here is a look at our dining nook today. We raised the lantern, as there is no longer a table below it. We (and when I say “we,” I mean our cabinetmaker) added a built-in bench with storage to the bay window area during our kitchen renovation. I thrifted and made over dining chairs, and sourced the wall clock, striped chair, and accent table from other rooms. It’s a good start; however, the space is still minimally furnished and decorated.
design plan and mood board
The design plan for the dining nook is as follows:
- add a bar cart to the corner opposite the accent chair (out of frame in the picture above) for display and storage
- add a custom bench cushion and throw pillows to the built-in
- add window treatments. Fabric roman or woven wood shades are possibilities.
- replace the table with a lighter (wood or white) round table
I believe these elements will go a long way to make the room look and feel more finished. The striped wingback chair is already helping with multi-functionality, as it has become my spot for a quiet moment with a hot beverage in the mornings. Here’s a look at the (somewhat chaotic) mood board I created to hone my vision.
- paint (Dove Wing by Benjamin Moore)
- lantern
- wall clock
- table (I also like this one and this one)
- bar cart
- rug
- accent chair (the link takes you to the chair I own and love. Here is the mood board chair.)
Let me know what you think in the comments! I look forward to finishing this room and enjoying meals and cups of coffee here for years to come. And sharing the finished product with you, of course!