Joanna Gaines' Fixer Upper Renovation Turns Unused Space Into A Sanctuary

Dining rooms have evolved over the years, and where they once served as a more formal space to enjoy meals with friends and family, these areas sometimes feel like a waste of space. Open concept kitchens and living rooms are replacing traditional closed off layouts, and on-the-go families prefer to eat in a more relaxed setting or sometimes even at an island. So, what creative ideas can convert unused dining room space to something functional but still stylish? Take a page from Joanna Gaines' book (or Instagram) and turn it into a home office that also serves as a place to relax.

Gaines recently shared an upgraded dining room that she converted into a library and office space. Even back in 2023, Nate Berkus and Jeremiah Brent agreed formal dining rooms aren't working, while Fixer to Fabulous stars also have plenty of creative tips for unused dining rooms. Gaines' newest post seems to agree, because where a dining room table may have once sat, she incorporated comfortable chairs and a coffee table to introduce a more approachable vibe to the room. One wall was built with floor to ceiling shelving to display books, magazines, and small vases, and a hidden desk can be found among cabinets so it's functional but unobtrusive. 

To recreate or incorporate Gaine's clever "Fixer Upper" renovations in this unused space, you can borrow some of her ideas while creating your own sanctuary that will breathe new life into that dining room.

In order to make your unused dining area more practical, consider what you could use more of in your home. Do you want a space where people can gather casually to chat, play games, and hang out? If so, bringing in chairs and a lower rectangular or circle coffee table like Gaines did will open this area up for a more relaxed destination within the home. These additions also allow people to read or enjoy some peace and quiet, whereas a dining room setup makes the space feel more closed off or strictly for meals. Utilize the wall space by building shelves so that you can display everything from books to vinyl records to photos and knick knacks. These can be built in to the walls like Gaines' space, or floating shelves that you purchase from Amazon, Target, or similar home stores.

Incorporating a hidden desk is a great way to transition this from another sitting or living room to a workspace, too. If you have a wall where you can build a desk into the cabinetry, that will disguise it and keep the room both a communal area and a work space. A standing option like this Amazon desk could also work well, and the lack of a desk chair will keep the room stylish as well as functional. But keep this against a wall or toward the back of the room so it leaves room for the conversation area.