Each week we post one of the many communications between Your Decorating Hotline and our readers.  We often receive requests for help, as is the case today, but we would be happy to share your project, your decorating success or your decorating “lesson learned.”  Please write and tell us about yours.

Today’s post helps a Reader with a decorating issue in her kitchen’s eating area.

The Dilemma

“Hi!
Not very good pictures, I realize…  I’ll do my best to explain the problem.  This is basically a U-shaped kitchen with a little eat-in area to one side.  The problems are:

1.  There are only two bay windows here.  You can’t see it, but where you might expect a third bay, there’s a door to the outside, creating a problem for putting a table and chairs in this area.  I’ve thought about putting a bar type cabinet to make it G-shaped, but a bar would jut out into the bay window area, kind of in front of that first bay (unless there was a way to angle the cabinet ….. not sure how that would look).  But then you have this little table area with nothing in it!  The windows, as you can see, are very low so I don’t think a bench-type thing would work because it would have to go in front of part of the windows   Not sure what to do!

2.  There is a chandelier hanging over the table.  I suppose it could be taken out? HELP!!

Thanks!”    - Cathy

The Solution

Hi Cathy:

Regarding your kitchen question:  You’re right – looking at your photos I would assume that there is a third panel to the bump out for the bay window.  Having a door there does throw the balance of the eating space off a bit.  I agree with you that putting a bar in front of the tall windows would not be a good idea – it would break up your windows and look a little funny from both inside and outside.  I also think adding a bar to the counter will only create additional problems for using the space because of breaking up the traffic flow and visual of the space.

From what I see in the photos, it seems that you’re addressing the situation well with your table and chairs.  Without a floor plan and measurement of the room and furniture I can’t tell for certain how much the table/chairs are impinging on the door access but to maximize the usefulness of your space and ingress/egress I offer the following general tips for you to consider:

1.  Use the smallest size table you can for comfortably seating the number of people in your family.
2.  Use chairs without arms to they can fully slide under the table so when not in use the footprint of the eating area is as small as possible.
3.  Move the table and chairs as close to the bay window area as possible, while still allowing enough space for someone to pull out a chair and sit in it and also allowing the door to open when the chair is tucked under the table.
4.  To visually reduce the size of the table consider a glass table top so your space seems larger since the floor is visible.
5.  Keep the chandelier as it helps define the eating space.  But if you are able to move the table any closer to the windows, simply add chain to your chandelier and swag it over the center of the table, hanging it with a butterfly ceiling hook for security.

I hope this helps, Cathy.

The Response

Hi, Cindy!

I agree with EVERYTHING you said!  I had already come to the conclusion that putting a bench in front of the windows would NOT work and after looking at cabinets and measuring carefully, I decided the G-shape wouldn’t work either.

I’m not sure if I’ll move the chandelier or swag it, but the table can definitely be pulled closer to the bay window area and I’ll show you what I found that I think we’re going to get to help with the door situation.

Perfect, huh?! Thanks again for your advice.  I will use you again, I’m sure!!”

- Cathy

What About You?

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