The Room That Changed How We Live in Our Dome

When people ask me what my favorite room in our geodesic home is, the answer is easy.

It’s this room. (Well, I think I say it about every room we’ve worked on so far!)

Technically, it’s the sitting room just off the kitchen. But in reality, it’s become the heart of our home. It’s where conversations happen, where guests naturally gather, where game nights unfold, and where I can still be part of the action while cooking dinner.

When we first bought the house, I saw potential. A lot of potential. But I also saw a few things that made me scratch my head.

Like the tiny cabinet beside the fireplace.

Seriously. Why was it there?

Before: A Beautiful Fireplace That Felt Forgotten

The stone fireplace was always the star of the room. Stretching all the way to the ceiling, it was one of the architectural details that made me fall in love with this dome.

But everything around it felt disconnected.

The kitchen cabinets were still their original finish, creating a darker, more dated feel throughout the connected living spaces. The fireplace had an older brass surround, and the built-in cabinet to the left seems like a natural fit, while the tiny cabinet tucked into the right wall felt awkward. (We still have no idea what it was supposed to be.)

The room had great bones.

It just wasn’t working right for us.

Creating a Room Meant for Gathering

One of our biggest goals in remodeling this home wasn’t to create a picture-perfect showpiece.

We wanted a house that worked for real life.

Ironically, this room may have been the space we struggled with the most.

Because it’s tucked right off the kitchen, has a dormer room with French doors leading to the gazebo, and sits under the dramatic height of the dome, it wasn’t immediately obvious how it should function. First, we placed a dining table here. That seemed logical. Then we tried a different table shape. Nothing really flowed.

When one of our kids moved, we inherited a pool table and decided to give that a shot. (Yes, we put it in here. And no, it absolutely did not work for us.)

Every arrangement felt like we were forcing the room to be something it wasn’t.

What finally changed everything wasn’t a furniture purchase or a design trend. It was hosting.

During our first few family gatherings, I noticed the same thing happening over and over again. Everyone would be having fun, talking, laughing, and hanging out but I would miss out when I was in the kitchen. Even though the room was right next to the kitchen, the layout wasn’t encouraging people to gather there.

Then one particular gathering changed my perspective. After dinner, we had appetizers spread out, football on TV, games being played, and people moving naturally between the kitchen and this room. Instead of focusing on what furniture should go here, I started paying attention to how we were using the space.

That’s when the design finally came into focus. This wasn’t supposed to be a formal dining room. It wasn’t a game room. It was meant to be a gathering space.

A place where people could sit and talk while meals were being prepared. A place where someone could watch the game while someone else played cards, or both. A place where I could be in the kitchen and still feel like part of the party.

Even after that realization, we struggled to find the right furniture. Then we found the club chairs. The four-chair arrangement naturally encourages conversation. Nobody is competing for the “best seat,” and everyone can see each other. The room feels intimate despite the soaring ceiling, and guests naturally settle in while still staying connected to the kitchen.

Looking back, I’m glad we didn’t get it right the first time. The trial-and-error process helped us understand how we actually live in our home.

And in the end, that’s what good design is really about. Not creating a perfect room, but creating a room that perfectly supports the life happening inside it.

The Fireplace Upgrade

The stone fireplace deserved more than being a decorative feature. We had all intentions of leaving it a wood-burning fireplace until we went on a trip and I loved getting up early and flipping on a gas fireplace and having my coffee. Instead of converting to gas, we opted for a fireplace insert. Not only is it more efficient, but it turned the fireplace into a true focal point that gets used and enjoyed.

The warm glow adds so much atmosphere, especially during colder months. (And sometimes in those colder months a couple of us may fight for the ‘warmer seats.’) It’s one of those changes that looks beautiful but also improves how we live in the house every day.

Yes, We Added a TV Over the Fireplace

I know. Design opinions on televisions over fireplaces can get surprisingly intense. But for us, this was the right choice.

One thing that’s changed over the years is how we use a TV. It’s not just for watching shows anymore. With smart TVs, we can stream music during gatherings, display family photos when we’re entertaining, or turn on a football game when friends and family are over.

Interestingly, we didn’t actually mount the TV. This particular television wasn’t a good candidate for mounting, but its narrow base made it a perfect fit for the mantel. Sitting it on the mantel allowed us to preserve valuable floor space while keeping the room centered around both conversation and entertainment.

For our family, the TV complements the room rather than dominating it. Whether it’s providing background music during a dinner party, displaying vacation photos, or becoming the focal point of a game-day gathering, it supports the way we use the space.

The result feels balanced, practical, and comfortable, which is exactly what we’ve been striving for throughout this entire remodel.

The Hardest Working Coffee Table in the House

One of my favorite pieces in this room might actually be the coffee table.

Before we found it, we kept running into the same problem. Whenever family or friends came over to play cards or board games, we’d end up setting up a folding card table between the chairs. Even though there was other seating nearby, everyone naturally wanted to stay in this space. That told me something important: the room was working exactly as we’d hoped, but the furniture wasn’t quite keeping up.

So I started searching for a solution.

At first glance, this looks like a simple wood coffee table. But it folds out into a larger table that’s perfect for games, puzzles, appetizers, or even casual dining.

In a home where every space needs to work hard and serve multiple purposes, furniture like this is worth its weight in gold. Instead of bringing in extra tables every time we entertain, the room can transform in just a few minutes.

The coffee table allows this space to shift effortlessly from a cozy conversation area to the center of game night. And if you’ve ever hosted a group that insists on “just one more round,” you know that’s a feature worth celebrating.

We bought theses ottomans that double as side tables with the flip of the lid. (And my grandkids favorite piece of furniture. They spend many hours hiding their treasures inside.)

The Unexpected Result

What I didn’t anticipate was how much this room would change the flow of our home.

People naturally gather here.

Conversations linger longer.

Guests stay connected to whoever is in the kitchen.

The room feels cozy without being cramped and functional without sacrificing personality.

For a home with dramatic architecture and soaring ceilings, it’s actually one of the most inviting spaces in the entire house.

And that’s why it’s my favorite room.

Not because of the fireplace.

Not because of the furniture.

It’s my favorite room because it’s where people come together.

And isn’t that what home is supposed to do?

Dome Sweet Home Tip: When planning a remodel, don’t just think about how a room will look. Think about how you want people to use it. The most successful spaces aren’t always the most beautiful. They’re the ones that bring people together.