Different furniture arrangements bring new uses to a dining room

Dining rooms can be be put to better use when the furniture is rearranged between gatherings when a formal table and chairs are needed.

"Partition walls, exciting artistic screens, careful placement of furniture - the possibilities are endless and can really help show that this room is not just a dining room," states Buzzle.com.

A different configuration of furniture will go a long way to achieving the multi-purpose look that the website advises. For instance, pushing the table against a wall or at the far end of the room allows space for other furniture pieces to be moved in.

A desk can turn the space into a work zone for paying bills and helping with children's homework. Some easy chairs around an end table can create a comfortable reading nook. A sofa and a small table can be set up on a day-to-day basis until the room is needed for a large dinner. When a main dining area is needed, the smaller furniture can be moved aside.

Tying together the different arrangements can be achieved with a versatile window covering that looks good in both casual and formal settings. Horizontal fabric shades have the look of a window shade, but the individual slats are reminiscent of a venetian blind.