How to Design Your Ideal Dining Room
Which room do you spend the most time in? For some, that’s the bedroom. For others, it’s the family room. There’s one room in the house that doesn’t get used as frequently—and it’s the foundational room for building relationships: the dining room.
The dining room is where you have family dinners. It’s where your kids may sit and do homework while you make dinner. Perhaps it’s your house where the friends come for dinner and games nights, or it’s the place where you have an hour or two to talk with your partner without distraction after a long workday. It’s a place of sharing and connection.
When it comes to interior design, it’s essential to create a welcoming and comfortable atmosphere in your dining room. So how should you decorate your dining room? We’ve got the tips for you.
Room Size
They say size doesn’t matter, but it often does — especially in a dining room. Have you ever been to a restaurant where all the tables are crammed together, and you feel like you can’t get comfortable because you’re afraid of invading the patron’s space next to you? You don’t want that in your dining room.
Interior Design items to consider when designing a dining room:
- Table size – Ensure there is enough space for chairs to be pulled out and for guests to fit behind chairs with people in them. A good rule of thumb is that chairs should have 36 inches of clearance.
Table shape – Round tables can provide more seating without taking up a lot of space. It also offers more visual interest.
Benches or chairs – Consider the room’s use. Does a bench seat make sense, or do you need the flexibility of separate chairs you can put in storage?
Storage
Dining rooms are great places for a bit of storage if you have room. Shelves to display china or a bar cart for glassware is an excellent idea. If you have many sit-down dinners, having a sideboard is a beautiful idea. These functional pieces can act as necessary storage and a buffet table to lay out food for guests.
Comfort & functionality
A dining room needs to be as comfortable as it is functional. If your dining space is stark, cold, and unwelcoming, it merely becomes a place to eat and leave. Numerous things go into creating a comfortable dining room:
A welcoming colour palette
- Comfortable seating
- 2 feet per guest of table space
- An area rug for warmth and ambiance
- Art and decor
Together, all of these things create your interior design style and can even provide the foundation for some dinner table conversations. Consider soothing hues or deep warm tones for colours and match them with napkins, area rugs, or decor on the table to pull the room together. Comfortable seating is a must! Make sure you sit in your dining room chairs before you commit to them.
Lighting
We’ve all been in that restaurant that takes “ambient lighting” to an uncomfortable level. Those restaurants that force you to take turns using the tealights on the table just to read the menu. The key to a great dining experience is having just enough lighting to see eachother and the food to avoid spills, but slightly dim for ambiance and comfort. A dimmer switch and a chandelier over the table is a great way to provide a range of lighting options depending on the time of day. Having a few table lamps on a sideboard is a great idea and allows you to light the food while guests assemble their dinner plates.
A dining room is a backdrop to many wholesome dinners and Sunday brunch get-togethers. Is your dining room ready to take centre stage for some of your most beloved memories and moments with your loved ones? Our interior design specialists can help. Get in touch today to take your dining room from fine to fabulous.