Who says a dining room has to be just for dining? If you’re tired of the traditional formal dining setup and crave a more versatile space, it’s time to explore repurposed dining room ideas.
You may have even heard of the “undining room,” which is basically a dining area that also serves many other purposes, so the pressure on the room is not to be a stellar dedicated dining space.
In our home, our kitchen is large enough to have eat-in dining. We also love to eat around the coffee table in our living room with plenty of pillows and seated on comfy couches.
It turns out, we’re not alone. Many American families are ditching their dining room for more casual eating options. Instead, families are making more logical choices like fitness areas, offices, or playrooms.
Not only do we rarely use our formal dining room, it is also one of the largest spaces in our 1,000 square foot home, so it made sense to consider more useful purposes for the space.
We’re slowly reworking it into a library/ guest room, but it will take several months to make that a reality.
With a touch of creativity and some clever design ideas, you can also transform your underutilized dining room into a space that suits your unique lifestyle and needs.
In this blog post, I share a variety of repurposed dining room ideas that will inspire me (and you!) to reimagine this space. But I think it is important to notice what is already happening in your home to understand what your family’s needs are.
For example, do you notice kids having a hard time finding a place to study? Or do you notice that the treadmill in the living room is a total eyesore? Maybe you need a dedicated room for all of your work-from-home supplies?
After taking stock of your space as it is working (or not) right now, you can better imagine what your repurposed dining room can do for you and your family.
So, let’s dive in and explore the endless possibilities!
Study Sanctuary
One of the most practical and popular alternatives for a formal dining room is to create a study sanctuary.
With a cozy desk, comfortable chair, and plenty of storage solutions, you can turn your dining room into a functional workspace that sparks productivity. Add bookshelves or floating shelves to display your favorite books and incorporate stylish organizers to keep your stationery in order.
The blog, Tag and Tibby has a great step-by-step post about their own dining room transformation (photo above).
For more detailed help with setting up a home office, make sure to check out my post about just that!
Guest Bedroom
If you frequently have guests staying over, transforming your dining room into a spare bedroom can be a smart move.
Opt for a daybed or a convertible sofa that can double as a seating area during the day. Add a beautiful bedside table, some soft lighting, and luxurious linens to create a welcoming oasis. Don’t forget to incorporate smart storage solutions to make the most of the available space. With this repurposed dining room idea, you’ll have a comfortable guest room ready whenever you need it!
One of my favorite dining room to bedroom transformations is from Nesting with Grace; in their home, they needed a bedroom for their youngest child, and they used the dining room to create a beautiful child bedroom with extra space and added a free-standing closet to complete the space.
The photo below is the finished product. Can you believe this used to be a dining room?
Craft Haven
Calling all DIY enthusiasts! A repurposed dining room can serve as the ultimate craft haven.
Set up a large worktable that offers plenty of space for your creative projects. Install wall-mounted storage units or pegboards to keep your crafting supplies organized and within easy reach. Consider incorporating natural lighting or task lighting to ensure you have the perfect ambiance for your crafting endeavors.
The blog, The Homes I have Made shows off their dining room/ craft room transformation.
I also love the video showcasing the home of Mandy Milks, co-founder of Hemme Custom. She has transformed her home into a welcoming and historically captivating space. She uses her formal dining room for her fabric business. It combines the office/ craft room so well, and it is organized beautifully.
Family Room Delight
If you’re craving a cozy space for quality family time, why not transform your dining room into a family room?
Bring in comfortable seating options like sofas, armchairs, and ottomans to create a warm and inviting atmosphere. Consider adding a media center or a wall-mounted TV for entertainment purposes. Incorporate shelves or cabinets to store board games, books, and movies. With this alternative, you can enjoy endless movie nights and create cherished memories with your loved ones.
The YouTube channel “Vintage Hip Decor” has a great video about how to transform a dining room into a sitting area. I love the results. She installs board-and-batten walls in a moody green color, a tufted caramel leather couch, and the room makes more sense for her family.
I also have a post about creating a cozy family room in a small space!
Fitness Studio
For fitness enthusiasts who yearn for a dedicated workout space at home, repurposing the dining room into a fitness studio is a fantastic idea.
This may be unconventional, but hear me out!
Clear out the furniture and make room for exercise equipment such as yoga mats, dumbbells, or even a stationary bike. Add mirrors to create the illusion of a larger space and to help monitor your form during workouts. With a dedicated fitness studio at home, you’ll find it easier to stay motivated and maintain an active lifestyle.
Don’t believe me?
Take a look at the results from “Functional Warrior Workouts” on YouTube. Another couple lost 60 pounds by repurposing an unused dining room into a home gym!
More Dining Room Alternative Ideas
Your formal dining room doesn’t have to remain a rarely used space. By exploring repurposed dining room ideas like transforming it into a study sanctuary, spare bedroom oasis, craft haven, family room, or fitness studio, you can breathe new life into this area of your home.
Also, don’t feel guilty about letting your dining room go. Some people may say that repurposing your dining room means that you won’t share meals together or that the family connection will suffer. I think that’s nonsense.
Family connection can happen in the backyard over barbecue, at the kitchen island with hot chocolate, and on the front stoop enjoying a taco. And those moments can happen everyday just the same way as sitting around a grand table.
A few more helpful resources I found online are below:
Apartment Therapy’s article about dining room/ library combinations has helpful photo inspiration.
HGTV’s slide show about dining room/ office combinations shows some tidy and smart spaces.
Bored Panda has a step-by-step photo story of a formal living room transforming into an office. The walls going up is quite inspirational!
Remember, there are no limits when it comes to design and repurposing, so let your creativity shine through. Embrace the opportunity to reimagine your dining room, and you’ll be amazed at the results.