How to Create the Perfect Dining Room

Words by Michaela Quinn

June 20, 2016

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3m

How to Create the Perfect Dining Room

The dining room is often overlooked as a part of the home, as many people only use theirs during special occasions. This means you may be tempted to put less thought into its design than other rooms, but learning how to decorate a dining room to suit your style is an important skill.

That’s why it’s crucial to get your dining room interior design right, so you can style a space that your visitors will never forget.

Our dining room ideas will help you transform your space from an afterthought into the centre of your guests’ attention. Keep reading to discover all our top ideas for dining room layouts and decorations that will help revive your space for mealtimes.

1. Choose the perfect style for your home

Your dining room décor ideas should reflect your home and your family. Contemporary designs are great for a sleek and minimal look, while traditional and country styles are often go-to looks for dining spaces as they’re so timeless and classic.

Your furniture is a key element of dining room décor, with the dining table at the centre of any dining room, so finding the right tables and chairs should be your starting point. Try to choose pieces that complement your home. For example, period features can influence your choice of furniture to either tie in seamlessly or offer modern contrast.

Or, if you’re lucky enough to have original wooden floorboards, make sure you incorporate these into your look. That said, it’s important to add your own personal touches to a space, so consider introducing something fun, such as bright, clashing accessories or a bold wallpaper.

2. Pick the right material for your furniture

Materials are also important to consider. If you prefer the contemporary look, consider modern materials such as metal and stone that will add an urban edge to your dining room design ideas. Our Halmstad dining table features a concrete-look top and stainless steel legs for an industrial feel.

On the other hand, solid wood tables, chairs and sideboards are practical for traditional or country style dining rooms, as they not only look beautiful but are also hardwearing and easy to care for; any wear and tear only adds to their rustic charm.

Reclaimed wood is also a great option if you want to add some unique style to your dining room. Made from recycled wood, it not only looks great but is a sustainable choice too.

3. Consider the size of your space

A key aspect to think about is the space you have available. Finding the right-sized table for your room can sometimes be a challenging task; too small and it can feel marooned, too large and it will feel cramped. As a general rule, try to leave around 40 inches of distance between the table and walls so there is enough of a gap to comfortably walk around – perfect for entertaining!

An extending table can provide the perfect family dining space when folded up, but it can also easily accommodate extra guests whilst still ensuring the room remains practical and stylish. Alternatively, pairing your dining table with a bench instead of chairs can allow you to be more flexible and save on precious floor space.

4. Choose comfortable seating

It’s one thing to make a visually appealing dining room layout, but it won’t matter if your guests aren’t comfortable when eating. Try to choose dining room chairs that complement your design without being too difficult to relax in. Fabric chairs with an ergonomic design are ideal for this.

You can also include accent chairs in your design to give your dining room a unique statement piece that will help draw your guests’ attention.

5. Set the mood with your lighting

There are plenty of dining room ideas for dynamic lighting that can help you give your space a unique atmosphere. Try layering your lighting to draw attention to certain aspects of your décor, or use accent lights to highlight different areas of your dining room’s design. Metallic accents can also help light reflect around a room, so try to incorporate some of these for an added touch of elegance.

6. Add some table decorations

If you’re looking for dining room décor ideas that can add a unique centrepiece to your design, consider adding some decorations to your dining table. Use a tray to provide a base for your décor, then arrange decorative items to draw attention towards the centre of your table. Not only will this create a striking statement piece, but you’ll also be drawing your guests’ gaze across your dining area, which helps encourage conversation.

7. Catch your guests’ eyes with a focal point

If you’re looking for dining room inspiration to avoid your design looking too bland, try adding a focal point to build your design around. It’s easy to create a statement wall by using a striking wallpaper colour or pattern, or consider hanging wall art to create a gallery wall to impress visitors.

There are also plenty of dining room ideas for furniture to avert your guests’ gaze. You can draw attention with an accent chair, for example, which will help to both add depth to your design and provide you with a comfortable place to relax and take in your design between meals.

We hope our ideas have given you enough dining room inspiration to get redecorating for yourself. If you’re ready to create a comfortable and stylish dining space that's perfect for your home, browse our full range of dining room furniture and make your interior design dreams a reality. For further inspiration, check out our top dining table decoration ideas to really elevate your aesthetic, or get festive by dressing your dining room for Christmas.

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