Jessica Helgerson Interior Design
I’m finally back to share more dining room ideas. Sorry for the delay — I was set to post and then ran into technical problems. A few of you may have missed some posts because Comcast email delivery has had glitches over the past year. If you didn’t receive something, I appreciate your patience and the notes that let me know. Hopefully everything is working again.
In last week’s post I talked about the option of adding built-in bookcases to the dining room. We’re still very interested in the character built-ins bring, but we’ve been exploring other options too, so I wanted to share a few more ideas we’re considering.
Our main priority in this house is to spend wisely: get the most charm and personality for the least cost. With that in mind, my daughter Courtney and I pulled an inspiration photo that really grabbed us. You can see it above. We loved the kitchen in the photo, but what especially appealed to us was the archway between the rooms. An arch brings instant charm. We’ve lived in homes with arched doorways before, and adding a curve to an otherwise boxy house felt like a simple way to add warmth and friendliness.
At first we assumed an arch wasn’t appropriate for a house like this. Maybe you’re thinking the same thing. But then we asked, why not? It’s easy to be held back by what feels “right” or “wrong” for a home. While some people prefer strict architectural accuracy, our goal here is to add character rather than create a period-perfect replica. Interestingly, our interior doors already feature a double-arch molding, so another arch would tie in with existing features.
To get a real feel for it, we used painter’s tape to outline an arch on the doorway. That quick mockup helped us visualize how much charm a single arched opening could introduce. Even that simple change made the space feel warmer and more inviting.
We also moved the table into the corner to simulate a built-in banquette. The idea of benches built into the corner with a table snug against them is very appealing. It creates a cozy niche for enjoying the view out the window or sharing family meals. Placing the table in the corner also balances the visual weight of the room and actually makes it feel larger, while leaving a clear path to the kitchen.
Built-ins on the window side would further increase function and coziness. Below are a couple of banquette inspiration photos to show the general concept — not exact styles, but the feeling a banquette can bring.
Studio McGee
Traditional Home
Right now the room has random pieces of furniture, so streamlining is needed. If you missed the kitchen window seat post, check that one for more context — a kitchen window seat would look adorable seen through the doorway, whether the opening is arched or straight.
A few readers have asked for room dimensions and a floor plan; I’ll measure the room soon so you can better picture the layout. It’s a comfortable dining room — not huge, but not small either. When the table sits in the center the room feels a bit tight since it’s also a thoroughfare to the kitchen. A banquette would solve that circulation issue while adding character.
If we built a buffet under the window where the sofa table is now, it would provide extra surface area and storage, which would be useful with a smaller kitchen.
There are many charming possibilities to give this corner more character.
We’ve also considered removing part of the kitchen wall to create a half-wall or opening that connects the kitchen and dining area. I shared this idea before we bought the house. It may not be feasible given the kitchen layout, but the option of removing all or part of the wall remains on the table. If we preserve most of the wall, that’s where the arch becomes especially appealing.
Crazy Mary
Another idea is to keep the table centered and enhance the ceiling — perhaps a raised center section, a boxed ceiling with wood, or a modest vault like the one in our previous dining room. The current ceilings are standard 8-foot; adding a vaulted or boxed detail could add interest, though it’s a larger investment and may not happen right away.
You may have noticed we removed the ceiling light fixture while we experiment with furniture placement. Taking distracting elements away helps us visualize the room more clearly as we try different layouts.
Those are a few of the concepts we’ve been tossing around. With so many projects throughout the house, we want to choose changes that make the most sense both visually and financially.
I love having a clearer vision for this house. Even a few simple changes could add a lot of personality and make it truly cozy and charming.
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