It seems like everyone these days is repurposing their extra rooms for home offices, including those unused dining rooms. But for Bob and I, we repurposed our dining room to this nurturing, intimate, cozy sanctuary TV/Den that we enjoy almost every evening.
Our repurposing goals of this TV/Den space:
1. MUST BE COMFORTABLE
This may seem like a no brainer but how frequently I observed my clients spending most of their down time on truly uncomfortable, outdated, even ugly furniture just because it is only them…not for show so to speak. Huge mistake!!
My goodness already, don’t we all deserve to spend our relaxing time on the best furniture comfort wise not merely what is left over from decades ago? These high quality rocker glider chairs, that will last us for a very long time. They are from Wesley Hall, one of my all time favorite upholstery lines. Plus, they are Bob’s absolute favorite chairs!
The chair fabric is bullet proof but has a soft plushy feel for the utmost comfort. No harsh stiff leathers (versus suedes or soft leathers) or too hard textured fabrics in a true sanctuary space.
2. MUST BE FUNCTIONAL
You might wonder why a sanctuary space needs to be functional? Let me count the ways!
- Notice the perfectly scaled antique library table that we use constantly. Put a table this height in a room and observe how often this space functions.
- Appropriate lighting is a necessity and this table lamp plus another one on the credenza, floor reading lamps, along with a ceiling mount fixture meet all our lighting needs.
- Ottomans/benches for extra seating, feet up time, or can function as a coffee table if needed.
- Notice the perfectly scaled antique library table that we use constantly. Put a table this height in a room and observe how often this space functions.
- Appropriate lighting is a necessity and this table lamp plus another one on the credenza, floor reading lamps, along with a ceiling mount fixture meet all our lighting needs.
- Ottomans/benches for extra seating, feet up time, or can function as a coffee table if needed.
3. MUST BE PRETTY
- The paint colors were selected for their warmth, softness, and non-trend timeless classics to be enjoyed for a long time in our last best nest. Even though I love white spaces, for us, this is definitely not the room for that palette.
- The drapery fabric is lovely vibrant color, linen texture, along with its large scale.
- The super gorgeous rug is just the right amount of saturated color but sans multiple patterns or colors. Plus, Jake loves the soft plush feel!
- Accessories are super important in these sanctuary rooms. The point of these rooms is to restore us so why would we want meaningless stuff to look at versus personal treasures or at the very least, items we truly love?
Here is a short video from my private Facebook group, Aging Gracefully for the 50+ers where you will see and learn additional design concepts plus view the entire room. We would love to have you join us! https://www.facebook.com/groups/LifeSizing/
At the end of the day, this is our go to sanctuary space. I wish for all of you to have this nurturing, restorative space for you and your loved ones. Trust me, it is so worth any efforts expended for all the long term benefits you will receive.
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What a lovely and functional space, Mitzi. I am sure you are both enjoying it!
We definitely are Carole, it just beckens us to let it all go!
Looks like a lovely and functional space for you and your husband!
Oh, those drapery panels make me SO happy! The whole room is wonderful. Well done!
Oh, those drapery panels make me SO happy! The whole room is wonderful. And I love your video. Well done!
Thanks so much Anne that you even viewed my video! I would love to have you join our group! I appreciate your commenting !
Making creating a sanctuary for yourself a priority is one of the most important things you can do for yourself. And yours is beautiful! Love that rug, and your little sanctuary model:)
Of course you totally get all the reasons for these spaces, Mary Ann. It still amazes me how so few realize this necessity. We have a job to do, don’t we…….. 🙂 ?
I love the final result and how you not only made your sanctuary lovely but also functional!
You nailed my goals for this space Carole, thank you so much for commenting!
What a great, cozy space you have created for relaxing together! Excellent advice, Mitzi – from comfy seating to well thought out lighting every detail matters!
Thanks so much, Janet! We so often see in others homes these types of hang out spaces being so uninviting and unattractive thinking it is only themselves who will use it. You and I know that this is such a shame when it could easily become a true restorative space.
This room is lovely and looks like a perfect haven for two! Beautiful and practical is a great combination.
Well said Lisa, beautiful and practical is the ultimate accomplishment for our spaces, especially our sanctuary spaces.
There’s so much good advice in this post, Mitzi, for making our homes comfortable and functional for how we really live, vs. just *keeping a space for its originally intended purpose.” It was fun to see how you designed this – and, indeed, Jake looks very happy on that comfy and color saturated rug.
I so appreciate it Leslie that you of course understood our actual goal for repurposing the dining room. Having a let down, hang out, sanctuary space is essential for all of us. And yes, Jake is one happy little buddy!
What a beautiful transformation to a useable space for you and the Mister. Functional and gorgeous!
Thank you Sheri! You know in your beautiful desgining how essential our sanctuary spaces are which is why we had to give up our dining room for such a space for us.