Dining Rooms are something which is not seen all that often these days. Our way of life has evolved from eating in a formal setting of a dining room also our houses and apartments we live in are smaller and simply don’t have the room. We design our homes now to be much more fluid; each space has to take on many roles.
With this in mind do we still need Dining Rooms?
I think the answer is yes, I think even if it is a dining area and part of a larger more versatile space we still like to have an area to sit, eat and converse. In some homes where they do have the luxury of space they usually have a dining room set aside purely for the purpose of eating, entertaining and conversation.
So what is the perfect dining ‘room’ design? Firstly you need to decide on the designated area that you are going to be working within (if you don’t have an actual dining room). A few ways you can differentiate this from the surrounding space is by zoning. This can mean using a rug under the table to create a visual outline of the area; it can mean using a different wall colour in this area which will make a clear definition between this area and the next. You can also add perhaps a ceiling pendant which will hang lower over the table and announce that this is an important and functional space.
Where do you place your table? So usually you would position the table in a place where people can comfortably sit around it, get up, move their chair back, all the things we normally do at a table. If this isn’t possible maybe you need to consider a bench along one side? Or maybe bench seating built along one wall? This can save space and also provide extra storage.
What shape table should I choose in my dining room design? A rectangular table gives the most spatial value. It can fit the most people around it for the space it requires. You might be able to get an extendable table, this can be useful for occasions when you require more table space. Round tables are beautiful and look great in a square room as they create an equilibrium in the room. Some people don’t like them as there is no clear ‘head’ of the table, this however can be a really good thing sometimes. They do take up more space for the functional space they allow but can be great in a large room. Oval tables are fantastic for giving the surface space of a rectangular table but with the softness of a round table. They can also save valuable space in smaller rooms.
Do my dining chairs have to match? I think this is a question of taste and style. If you love eclectic style and have a slight bohemian or rustic home then I would say you could definitely mix your dining chairs; I really love how it can work with wooden chairs and then metal dining chairs, the different backs and legs. However I do feel there should be some cohesiveness with the chairs, perhaps they are all the same colour, or they are all wooden? Unless you have a clear vision of your home I think it would be best to stick to matching dining chairs. I personally have matching chairs along the side of my dining table and then a matching pair, one at either end of the table. They are all dark so that ties them together and stops it from looking too messy.
If you want your home to look calm, elevated and sophisticated I would suggest going for matching dining chairs, probably upholstered. Think about who will be using the chairs as I have encountered some unbelievably heavy chairs that once children were sat on them they were basically imprisoned by them - maybe that was intentional - but it can come tiresome to have to weight-lift every time you want to get up.
How should I light my dining room? Lighting is very important in all aspects of interior design but particularly in a dining room design where it can evoke so many moods. I like to add a ceiling pendant or group of lights over the dining table as I feel it creates a more dramatic area, and as the dining table is one of the most important pieces of furniture in the house it deserves it! I would add functional dimmable down-lighters around the table so the room is well-lit but have a dimmable pendant over the table.
Wall lights are also welcome in dining rooms as they can help to create small pools of light and interest around the space. It’s useful to have the dining lighting on a separate circuit to the other lighting if you are within a larger space such as a family room. This means you are also to use the lighting to zone that area away from the rest of the room.
Do I have curtains in my dining room? Whether you have curtains, blinds, shutters or nothing at all depends on your actual room, the orientation, whether you’re overlooked and the style of the room. Luxurious velvet curtains can add a sense of drama to a traditional dining room which is mostly used at night whereas a dining area which is part of a larger family room might not need a window treatment at all.
What is the best colour to paint a dining room? This will again depend on whether you have a separate dining room or if it is part of a bigger room. Dining Rooms were traditionally painted red as this made the meat look more appetising; this has shaped how we think dining rooms should look. If you are using the room mostly at night time red can look very attractive and combined with candlelight it can have a mesmerising effect. However, if you have a dining area this might not be the colour you want to choose. It might be better to paint a section of wall in a feature colour to accentuate the dining area. Perhaps if you have a wall near the dining area you could cover this in vibrant wallpaper which will help to clarify the zone.
I hope you have found this to be useful and can pull from it some tips and ideas when creating your dining room design.
View my range of interior design services to see how I can help you with your own dining room design.
Comments