When we bought our home 5 years ago, we didn’t realize we would be “stuck” in it for much longer. We bought a house we could afford during the housing boom. But now house prices have dropped to a point where we can’t sell, even though our family has grown and more room would be ideal. But we came to terms with it and have started fixing our house and making it a home that we love and can fit in.
One BIG tip in making a small home seem bigger and roomier is to buy furniture that fits! When we first moved in, we bought a huge dining room table I loved and we had a big couch and a standard couch. Our house itself doesn’t have a separate dining room or living room. Instead there is one not-so-great room where we are expected to have the dining room table, entertainment center, couches and do our family activities.
After having two boys and realizing the room they needed to play, it became evident that I needed to rethink the furniture. I moved out the largest couch and sold it on CraigsList.com. I replaced it with a really cool storage bench to keep shoes and extra DVDs in. It also acts as an extra place for guests to sit and for the boys to put on shoes, without overwhelming the house.
I also moved the dining room table into the garage, storing it until we can move. And what I bought was this Mission Breakfast Set in Fruitwood. It is also available in natural and white. The list price is $159, but CSNStores.com was selling it for $129. Now one of the great perks of shopping on CSNStores.com, besides all of the specialty stores it draws from, are the great prices you get with it. I googled Mission Breakfast Set before confirming my purchase and I saw it selling for $139 (Target), $149 (Amazon), and $159 (Overstock). So yah, best price was definitely CSNStores.com – and shipping was FREE!
When it arrived I had to assemble the stools, which did take some time getting the bars and legs in place. And I did the table, which was 6 pieces. It would have been easier to do assembly with two people, but I managed on my own and I just had my husband tighten the screws when he came home.
My favorite part of the table is the reddish tile top. I was a little worried about the grout lines and the kids staining them, but we’ve eaten everything there, from pancakes to spaghetti and applesauce to peanut butter and jelly. Anything that falls in the grout lines can easily be cleaned up. For stubborn items I just use vinegar, which works like a charm.
My boys, ages 2 and 4, easily sit on the barstools. I do want to get two more barstools with backs, though, since sometimes my one year old nephew comes over (he’s almost two) and he still isn’t a careful sitter! And right now I have two dining room tables that are in my living room as decoration and additional seating that I pull over when the whole family eats. Yes, all four of us do fit on this table. And I find the four of us using the small table more than we ever ate as a family at the huge dining room table. The smaller table is a lot more welcoming.
So the only con on this table is that I need to buy two more barstools. But the pros far outweigh the cons and it was a successful small house fix. The boys have a lot more room to play in the family room, now. And when I have a lot of guests over, we all don’t feel suffocated. I use the small table to put out food and everyone sits on the extra chairs, storage bench and couch. I’ve successfully had 12 people over for a party in my teeny house and we were all comfortable!
Mission Breakfast Table Set Features:
- Includes table and two stools
- Fruitwood finish
- Durable hardwood construction
- Mission style
- Space efficient
- Stools tucks neatly under the table for tidy storage
Specifications:
- Breakfast table dimension: 36″ H x 20″ W x 36″ D
- Stool dimension: 24″ H x 13″ W x 13″ D
MORE SMALL HOME TIPS:
Storage Benches, Ottomans and Chests
Helpful blog, bookmarked the website with hopes to read more!
Dining tables that are made of wood are the best in my opinion because it has the classic look.
My mother always used dining tables that were chrome plated because they can be cleaned easily.
When it comes to choosing dining tables, I look for durability and style!