Food For Thought: 10 Dining Room Design Ideas
It's an unfortunate sign of how hectic modern life has become that many people no longer take the time to sit down at the dining room table to partake of a shared meal every night. Use these ten tips below to reclaim the dining room as a place that's enjoyable, aesthetically pleasing, and makes the most of a given space.
- Use mismatched chairs. Instead of purchasing a set of identical chairs, mix and match chairs of different styles and periods to create an eclectic but stylish collection. Use neutral colors to avoid an over-saturated look.
- Purchase a butterfly leaf table. If you're short on square footage, consider buying a table with a leaf that can be added to extend the table during holidays and large parties, leaving more space during the rest of the year.
- Rotate seat covers. A seasonal look can be easily accomplished for very little cost by simply buying multiple sets of seat covers. Neutral colors that are subtle but complement the surroundings work best.
- Get creative with your seating options. If your dining room is an informal space in which you want to achieve a more rustic look, don't be afraid to change out a couple of chairs for a short bench, perhaps made of restored wood with color trim in the farmhouse style.
- Fit your chairs to the table. A large dining room with a long table should have slender chairs seated around it. On the other hand, a smaller room with a round table is a space in which larger, more formally styled chairs can work best.
- Install a photo shelf. A carefully curated collection of artwork or photographs can inspire mealtime conversation in the best way. A photo shelf can also serve to tastefully offset various design elements, such as a bold color palette.
- Drape a table with linens. If you're looking to add a sophisticated element to a room, dress up your dining table with linens that complement the colors of the dining room walls and chairs.
- Add creative lighting. If you like your furniture simple and modern, don't hesitate to offset it with a small but ornate lightning fixture, like an antique chandelier.
- Use paint liberally. For those on a budget, trying to find a perfect dining room set may seem impossible. But don't be afraid to shop for vintage items that can then be given a fresh coat of paint and made to look new again.
- Utilize curves. To avoid making a room feel too stiff and uncomfortable, purchase dining room furniture with ample curves instead of straight edges.
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