8 Innovative Ways Your Dining Space Can Do Double-Duty
Revive your dining room with these nontraditional takes on a classic space.

Dining rooms are great for entertaining and celebrating special occasions, but what should you do with that space when no one’s visiting? You might be surprised by all of your options. Here are 8 nontraditional ways to make the most of your space.
1: Showcase With Shelves

First Team Estates, a member of Luxury Portfolio International
There’s a lot to love about this eclectic dining room: the high-top table, the brightly-colored chairs and especially those built-in shelves. While cabinets and cupboards add elegance to a room, they can sometimes consume valuable space in a smaller setting. With built-in shelves, though, you can display your prized possessions without compromising square footage.
2: Opt for an Office

Chris Amaral
If you need a quiet workspace but don’t have a room to spare, consider transforming your dining room into a dual-purpose office. In this transitional dining room, an elongated desk creates a clear workspace that coordinates with the table and chairs.
3: Commit to Your Craft

Kelly Sutton Design
Alternatively, your dining room can easily double as a craft room. In this industrial space by Kelly Sutton, the clean table and stools not only allow for entertaining guests, but they also make a great spot for crafting. You can even store all of your supplies in an antique locker.
4: Show Off Your Sportsmanship

If you’ve been searching for a tasteful way to showcase your fandom, look no further. In this eclectic space, stadium-style seats and pennants add vintage color and charm to an otherwise quiet dining room. Bonus? You can use the stadium seats to accomodate more guests in one area.
5: Live It Up With a Library

Ann Lowengart
As someone with way too many books (or not enough space to store them, anyway), I love this colorful display. Paired with a simple picnic table and chairs, these built-in bookshelves by Ann Lowengart can be used to store all of your cookbooks and create a cozy library.
6: Grow a Garden

David Owen Strongman / Getty Images
When not hosting Friday night dinners for family and friends, try transforming your dining room into a low-maintenance home garden. Designer Jillian Harris used potted plants to freshen this modern dining room and accentuate its earthy tones.
7: Celebrate With a Wine Cellar

Cory Holland
Doesn’t living on a vineyard sound like a dream? Now you can make it a budget-friendly reality. In this industrial chic dining space by Harmony Weihs, two floor-to-ceiling cabinets become the perfect spot for storing wine, which makes celebrating special occasions all the more fun.
8: Get Your Game Room On

Jean Allsopp
Dining rooms were designed for gathering with family and friends, so why not throw a little competition into the mix? With a wooden buffet for storing board games and card decks, this eclectic dining room encourages plenty of family-friendly activities and bonding.