Ask A Designer™: Gillian Atkins’ Tips For A Sleek Living and Dining Room

In this edition of Ask A Designer™, Gillian Atkins, senior designer at Lynda Reeves Design Studio (LRDS), shares advice on how to create a sleek look for a living and dining room. Take a look!

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Q: I have an L-shaped living and dining room in my 1980s home that’s been a real decorating challenge. No matter how I arrange the furniture, I can’t seem to make the space look cohesive; it feels as though the two areas don’t quite work together. I’d love some advice on how to create a warm, inviting space that feels polished and connected without necessarily replacing everything I already own. Can you help? — J.Y., Ottawa

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A: You don’t need to replace everything you own — you just need to add layers! Start by purchasing a shallow buffet or console for the long dining room wall. Shift the table over, then centre the light fixture over it (a must). I would also swap out your coffee table for something that feels lighter; try one in a pale wood. To make the two rooms feel more unified, consider crown moulding and surface applied wall trim that runs through both: this will instantly connect the spaces and add life above the furniture (see the mock-ups).

Try the new stick-on version of panel mouldings, or go custom — either way, you’ll likely need to repaint the walls. Now, you need art. Consider placing a larger, more colourful painting on the main wall in the dining room, move the current piece around the corner and hang that great mirror. In the living room, opt for a series of framed prints over the sofa. Your white drapes disappear against the walls; swap the plain panels for a bold print, and replace your white lampshades.

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