I am not a big fan of dining rooms because I feel like they don't get used often. Our new house has a little eat-in kitchen area but it's not big enough to entertain so we do have to make the dining room a dining room. I'd like to make it more versatile & comfortable though, with some soft seating. It's a pretty small room so I am not sure exactly how to configure it, though.
Ideas? Pictures? 
watermelon / 14467 posts
I've always wanted soft seating in my dining area! What type of decorating style do you lean toward?
FWIW, we have no soft seating right now because we only have an eat-in kitchen. I just have big dreams.
cantaloupe / 6669 posts
@avivoca: You know, my style is all over! I like more modern stuff but I also like more bohemian touches... And I don't like really formal, so I am leaning toward a more farmhouse style dining table. So yeah. I am hopeless.
watermelon / 14467 posts
What about something like this? I found it on The Sunny Side Up blog.
grapefruit / 4703 posts
@daniellemybelle: We have these and they're so comfortable. We end up sitting at the table for a long time.
http://m.crateandbarrel.com/curran-grey-side-chair/s490060
ETA: I realize they don't look that soft, but they're padded, and the way they're curved fits your back perfectly. They're modern, which is why I suggested them.
persimmon / 1316 posts
I don't have any pictures with me but I have soft seating mixed with bench seating. I love the soft seating look and it is so comfortable. We don't have kids yet so that isn't an issue but even having friends over and having wine at the table makes me nervous. We haven't gotten any spills yet but with light gray it would really suck to get a major spill.
wonderful pear / 26210 posts
No, but I love the look. Maybe you can do a hybrid with outdoor fabrics? They've come a long way and they really do look like upholstery fabric and it is wipeable!
We have an outdoor rug in our dining space (largely because I needed a 9x12 and I felt ridiculous to spend that much money on a rug where food might get spilled). I got it at Ballard Designs, they're great for inspiration.
GOLD / squash / 13464 posts
We're planning something like this in our new dining room. They are from PB
blogger / wonderful cherry / 21628 posts
Yes. We have 4 parsons chairs and a bench around our dining room table.
wonderful pea / 17279 posts
Our kitchen table has leather covered padded back and seat chairs. Our dining room has fabric covered padded back and seat chairs. If I had to do it all again I would choose leather for all the chairs, because every Thanksgiving (once a year) I worry about the cranberry sauce and gravy spilling on the chairs.
hostess / wonderful honeydew / 32460 posts
we're putting this in our formal dining (in brown oak)
and this (in brown oak drifted) + cushion in our breakfast nook.
both from RH
GOLD / squash / 13464 posts
@chopsuey: oooo going to have to check out RH. This is the dining table but I'm having a hard time finding fabric chairs with lighter wood legs.
hostess / wonderful honeydew / 32460 posts
@MamaMoose: ooh love it! yeah def check it out.
I 
RH chairs so much. had the toughest time deciding on which ones I wanted 
GOLD / squash / 13464 posts
@chopsuey: just browsed a bit and it's exactly what I've been looking for! I don't know why RH didn't cross my mind!!
hostess / wonderful honeydew / 32460 posts
@MamaMoose: yay! Yeah they have great stuff. Their prices aren't crazy either! Omg they're opening the RH flagship store here in the fall and I'm so excited! 
GOLD / wonderful coconut / 33402 posts
We don't but I wish we did. Out get uncomfortable after awhile.
cantaloupe / 6669 posts
@avivoca: OMG I LOVE THIS. That is honestly exactly what I have in mind. I was looking at "settees" but they all seem so formal. That one is perfect!
@Shutterbug: Nice! I love C&B. I just think that is maybe more formal than I am going for?
@Mrs.Pinecone316: Good point! I was thinking we could scotchguard or something...
@looch: That is so smart!!!
@MamaMoose: Pretty! The thing I struggle with is that upholstered dining chairs can look a little more formal which isn't what I'm going for. I LOVE your dining table!
@Leialou: How do you like the bench seating? I wonder about comfort.
@Mrs. Lemon-Lime: That's good to know!
@chopsuey: Love them!
@Smurfette: The set we used to have was horrible even with seat cushions. I'm really envisioning a "sit & chat" space so comfy seating is important!
bananas / 9628 posts
We do. It's a casual dining space. We have a giant sectional, but find when company comes over we tend to stay seated at the table for a long periods after the meal & the chairs are plenty comfortable. Not the most stylish space, but it works for us.
Random pic at the table & pic of just the chair. Excuse the mess, was working on sewing project on the table.
bananas / 9628 posts
@daniellemybelle: how many people are you looking to be able to seat?
pear / 1648 posts
Check out World Market - we did our whole dining set from there (mix & match). We did 4 wooden chairs and 2 soft upholstered ones, but they also do benches. They offer great sales & deals!
cantaloupe / 6669 posts
@MrsS_Alpha: Looking there now!
@mrs. bird: 6-8, I think. I love your seating!
I think I am going to go on the hunt for a farmhouse table, and a fabric bench/settee like Avivoca's picture! Armless settees that aren't too formal seem hard to come by. The below is all I've found so far. Anyone want to help look?
http://www.target.com/p/custom-upholstered-armless-settee/-/A-15179865?reco=Rec
GOLD / wonderful pomegranate / 28905 posts
Haha I was envisioning Moroccan style seating not just upholstered chairs. LOL
cantaloupe / 6669 posts
@looch: Good idea!
@locavore_mama: LOL, like on the floor?
So I found this inspiration too. Love! Bad news is that these folks also had their settee custom made like the first folks. Why does no one make this stuff?? When things are not easy to find I always get paranoid that it's because it's actually ugly & I have super weird taste...
bananas / 9628 posts
this is pretty! but it's a pretty bold print, do you have a color in mind? would you be looking for something with a pattern or a solid?
http://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/Cassidy-French-Yellow-Cream-Ikat-Loveseat/7538893/product.html?refccid=Q3BJJWMTYYZZJ2CE5X6JVRYBBQ&searchidx=58
i like the legs on this one
http://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/angelo-HOME-Kiwi-Lime-Green-Basket-Bradstreet-Armless-Settee/9067202/product.html
GOLD / wonderful pomegranate / 28905 posts
@daniellemybelle: haha yeah.
We just found a table we love at ikea! We're going to do upholstered or "leather" chairs then a full bench on one side for the kids. DH is going to build the bench and I'm going to attempt to upholster. *gulp*
That last picture you shared. Is it DIY? Haven't decide on back or backless yet! Possibly doing a bench with storage underneath for table linens etc.
cantaloupe / 6669 posts
@mrs. bird: So pretty! I really want to try to stick to neutrals, which is making this harder. I don't have a color scheme yet so I don't want to end up having to design the room around one piece.
GOLD / squash / 13464 posts
@daniellemybelle: joss and main often has settees... I would check them out.
wonderful pea / 17279 posts
clementine / 911 posts
We only have 1 dining area in our house, and we have a large table and chairs with padded leather seats. We got them from Rooms to Go.
http://www.roomstogo.com/product/Dining-Room-Sets/Calistoga5-Pc-Dining-Room/4215836P
grapefruit / 4862 posts
I think you could do really good with an upholstered bench one one side, traditional chair profiles with padded seats on the other side, and then more significant chairs like what mamamoose posted at the heads of the table. I LOOOVE bench seating on one side and bonus- it's easy to move out of the way!
cantaloupe / 6669 posts
Thanks y'all! We got a GORGEOUS farmhouse table at Nadeau today for a great price. Now to find the perfect bench...
@Mrs. Lemon-Lime: They have some great options!!! Thank you. There's one I need to post here when I'm not on my phone that I really like but I worry it's too small...
cantaloupe / 6669 posts
@avivoca: Here you go! We are moving stuff in today. Feels kind of big for the room but I love it just the same.
cantaloupe / 6669 posts
@avivoca: Thank you!!! It was about 1/4 the cost of that Restoration Hardware table, too, and I think it's pretty close!
Now to find that elusive bench...
GOLD / squash / 13464 posts
@daniellemybelle: OMG LOVED that table at Nadeau, but I needed something that extended bigger and none of theirs do : (
cantaloupe / 6669 posts
@MamaMoose: Ha! It's getting kind of creepy how we are twinsies 
The bench on our front porch is from there too! I freaking love that store. (Have you noticed DH has gone nuts on the exterior of our house? We may be a touch excited to be homeowners.)
I would like the option to expand, too, but the fact is, we plan to be in this house for a while & the dining room is pretty small so it's fine. And I do actually like that it's a solid piece of wood. Feels very rustic inside our little suburban house!
GOLD / squash / 13464 posts
@daniellemybelle: your DH is adorable. I loved that he came over and borrowed our blower
grapefruit / 4442 posts
@daniellemybelle: Did you try world's market for the bench?
Do a search for Banquette on google and maybe you can find a pattern you like.
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