Clever Ways To Give Your Underutilized Dining Room New Life

Formal dining rooms have been a part of home design for much of American history. Throughout the 1800s and much of the 1900s, homes were built with rooms that each served a particular purpose. Dining rooms traditionally provided a place for the family to gather and bond over meals. In the mid-1900s, open floor plans began to gain popularity, with more families preferring open space between the kitchen and family rooms. That means a lot of dining rooms in older homes were not being used as much. They're still great for hosting Thanksgiving for the extended family, but what about the rest of the year?

If a formal dining room doesn't fit your family's lifestyle, consider using the space for something else more suited to your needs. If you have one of these dated dining room features that have lost their luster and you're looking for a change, now is a great time to consider turning the room into something completely fresh and new. Think about the room's placement in the house when deciding how to use it, though. For instance, if the room is near the front door and open to the living room, you may not want to use it as an exercise room with equipment on display. We've rounded up five ideas to help get your creative juices flowing. You can still host Thanksgiving, just consider a design that tucks away when not in use with folding tables or a multifunctional furniture piece that will stylishly maximize your home.

Music lovers may want to create a space dedicated to creating or listening to music. To get started, decide how you want to use the room. For a cozy place to curl up and listen to your favorite tunes, you'll need storage for your music and a place to stash your listening devices and/or record players. Audio cabinets like the George Oliver audio rack from Wayfair ($142.99) provide a place to keep records and record players in one tidy place. For a more extensive record collection, try built-in cabinets and bookshelves. These can double as a library for book storage, as well. Don't forget to include a cozy chair or couch to curl up on while you listen. Lighter-weight chairs like bamboo or cane can easily be moved from room to room if you need to convert the space back into a dining area.

For musicians who need a place to practice, you may also want to add soundproofing to the walls to improve acoustics. An area rug will also help absorb sound as well as add personality to the room. Use the piano or drum kit as a focal point in the room, and guitars can double as wall decor. If you don't have the budget or knowhow for professional soundproofing, built-in bookshelves filled with books can offer some noise muffling. Here are 11 more music room ideas that are nothing short of inspiring.

If someone in the home works remotely or hybrid, office space is a must. An unused dining room can be the perfect spot for a quiet workspace away from the bustle of family life. Choose a desk that is big enough for a laptop, monitor, and anything else you need to work effectively but comfortably. Also, ensure there is enough room to easily maneuver around the desk. Good lighting is also essential. If the room has windows, position the desk to make the best use of natural light. If the room does not have windows, consider desk lamps to improve lighting. Ring lights can help you appear brighter on Zoom calls. Here are a few more ideas and inspiration for office lighting. 

Even if you or your spouse are not working from home, a home office provides a dedicated space for handling business related to the home like budgeting, financial planning, or paying the bills. Consider building a dedicated homework space for the kids. This can be as simple as a desk for each child, with cubbies for their school supplies. A bookshelf can corral textbooks, notebooks, and study materials. Let them personalize their space with corkboards, artwork, shelving, and framed photos of their friends. 

Your place can be your friends' favorite hangout if you decide to turn the unused dining room into a home bar. Bar designs are as unique as the individual creating them, so don't be shy about incorporating personality into this project. Sports fans can turn it into the best spot around to catch the game and drink beer with friends. Add leather couches, a beer fridge, a counter for holding snacks, and of course don't forget the big screen. Borrow some ideas from these 14 undeniably fun media room ideas for inspiration on creating a stellar game-watching experience. 

For something a little more sophisticated, stock a wine fridge along with that beer fridge so you're always ready to share your favorite vintage. The glassware you serve your beverages in matters as much as the alcohol, so stock the cabinets with champagne glasses, wine and martini glasses, and standard drinking glasses, and be sure to have a tumbler on hand for mixing cocktails. Display the glasses with targeted lighting, and they can double as décor. Decide where you will store the alcohol, as well. Will they be in cabinets, or on open shelves? When stocking the bar, start with the essentials. Vodka, Gin, tequila, rum, whiskey, and liqueurs will allow you to mix and serve many popular drinks. Also, seating doesn't have to be limited to barstools. If room allows, use comfy chairs and small sofas with small side tables for guests to use.

Bibliophiles may want to create a home library to store their collection of great books. Only three things are really needed for a home library: comfy seating, book storage, and good lighting. Bookcases and displays come in a wide range of sizes and styles. You're only limited by your imagination. Built-ins, for example, are classic and timeless. Along with books, use decorative accents to style your bookshelf. For a unique flair, hang floating shelves, or position ladder bookshelves around the room. Color-code your books for a fun visual element and to pull the room together. Or, turning a few around with the pages facing outward creates a more minimalist, clean look. 

We can't say enough about having comfy seating. This will be a place you'll want to stay a while, so find a lounge-worthy sofa or a couple of soft chairs to curl up in. Add throw pillows and a soft blanket, and place a side table or coffee table nearby for holding books or drinks. You can even take a few books and stack them on the table as a centerpiece. Make sure to have a good reading lamp nearby. There is one last thing to think about that is easily overlooked. Good ventilation is also a must, as humidity can ruin books over time. If humidity is a problem, here are a few tips to remove the humidity in your house.

Transform your space into a place the family can gather and bond around a different kind of table: a pool table! An unused dining room is the perfect spot for a game room. Consider the games your family likes to play. Would air hockey or ping pong be more suitable than pool? Keep proportions in mind and be careful not to overcrowd the room. Invest in the equipment that matters most to you. Add seating that makes sense for the space and is comfortable while waiting your turn. A few chairs and a coffee table can provide space for playing board and card games. Better yet, incorporate games into the design by painting a checkerboard directly onto the tabletop. 

When choosing furniture, also invest in storage accents that can lock away game pieces, board games, and other items when not in use to help contain clutter. If space is tight, a storage ottoman can be an excellent solution that also provides additional seating. Lighting matters here, too. A room built for video gaming may need dimmer lighting than a room built with billiards in mind. Be sure to include a good audio system, as well. For video games, this is crucial, as sound is a huge part of the experience. A Bluetooth speaker may work just as well for more traditional games. Here are a few more game room ideas that'll keep you playing all day.