How to Decorate an Adjoining Living Room & Dining Room

How to Decorate an Adjoining Living Room & Dining Room
Written By
Kimelia Sachs
Kimelia Sachs
Published: Nov 17, 2010
Updated: Nov 20, 2021
2 minute read
  1. Paint the walls in the dining and living areas the same color. Decide if you want to use cool or warm colors. Blues and greens are cool colors, while yellow and golden tones will add warmth to rooms. Pick a color that you like and a color that works well with the furniture and accessories you use in these rooms.

  2. Combine colors, fabrics and textures in these areas to create a sense of harmony. Consider using the same fabric on chair cushions and throw pillows for a unified look. Try to use at least one color in both areas. If blue is a primary color in your dining room, use that same color in the living room in the artwork, on throw blankets or with lampshades.

  3. Decorate both spaces with the same theme. This keeps the area from looking cluttered and disorganized. If you want a contemporary dining room, it's best to go with a contemporary living area as opposed to a shabby-chic look. Spread matching accessories around in both areas for a cohesive feel.

  4. Decorate both areas with the same window treatments. This is one of the easiest ways to make a shared space feel integrated.

  5. Organize your living room furnishings around a coffee table to create a distinct living space. Place the front legs of the sofa on one edge of a rug and place the table close enough to the sofa to be of use. Arrange tables and chairs and around the rug to create an intimate living area.

  6. Arrange furniture in both spaces to fit together comfortably. Try to make the areas feel balanced rather than dividing pieces by where you think they belong. If the combined room feels large, arrange furniture to create defined, cozy areas.

  7. Decorate with plants to help the shared area to feel warm and welcoming. Plants add warmth, and this may help larger spaces that feel stale.

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Kimelia Sachs

Kimelia Sachs has been writing professionally since 1994. She's been published in more than a dozen books for Oxmoor House including "Decorating Inside and Out," "The Spirit of Christmas" and "Trash to Treasure." Sachs is certified to…

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