Dos & Don’ts For Decorating Your Dining Room
By Amy Kilvington
You don’t need a special event to make your dining area look fabulous. In fact, this room is a vital part of your home all year round, and deserves plenty of care and attention when it comes to functionality, styling and space.
It’s important to invest in the right pieces that will stand the test of time, continuing to look and feel great even when your tastes and lifestyles change. We’re offering some insight into the dos and don’ts of decorating a dining room. Bon appetit!
Do… The colour palette
When decorating your dining area, consider a neutral colour palette in soothing tones. Shades of pebble, greige and taupe will evoke a calming feeling, which is ideal for a space where large groups gather. You could also consider bright tones of bluey-green like teal, turquoise and aqua. These colours are ideal for socialising and relaxing! Sunny shades of yellow and mustard have a more energetic feel, so look to these if you want your dining room to be a fun and positive space. No matter which colour palette you choose, consider accent shades that will help to make a stylish statement. You can incorporate these with a table runner, crockery and eye-catching upholstery.
Do… The furniture
It goes without saying that the most important item in your dining room is the table. If possible, invest in a large table to seat all of your family members, plus a few extra spaces for guests. You could also consider an extendable table for larger gatherings. When space is an issue, try stackable or foldable chairs that can be brought out when required. You could also use a built-in bench, which will provide seating as well as a handy place for storage. If the room allows, add a sideboard or cupboard to your dining room, which will be the perfect place to store crockery, additional cutlery and linen. These surfaces will also be ideal for placing mood lighting and accessories.
Do… The accessories
Don’t… The window dressings
When decorating your dining room, be careful not invest in the wrong window dressing. This could prove to be a very expensive mistake! Long curtains and Roman blinds always have more appeal in a dining room – short curtains and roller blinds will never have the same luxurious look and feel. Look at window treatments that can make the room feel more private, whilst allowing you to control the lighting (and therefore the mood) more effectively.
Don’t… The prints
You should also try to avoid fussy furnishings in the dining room. These will date quickly and create a cluttered and claustrophobic environment. Busy patterns and unusual details, like tassels and jewels, for example, are also hard to mix with other items. Instead, look to colours and prints that are more classic and timeless, such as florals, checks and stripes. By choosing more simple, understated prints, it will also be easier to update your dining room in future.
Don’t… The lighting
Finally, be sure to avoid the wrong type of lighting in your dining room. We recommend that you spend time selecting the right styles and sizes of lights for your space. Avoid lots of bright lights – these cannot be toned down. It’s much better to create a relaxed atmosphere in your dining room, so consider pendant lighting above the table, or smaller light sources for corners and surfaces. Select lampshades that coordinate with your theme and create a peaceful ambiance while you dine.
Be sure to explore our full collection of blinds, curtains and curtain poles, the perfect finishing touch for your dining room. You can also take advantage of our FREE Interior Design Service by contacting our Interior Design Specialists directly: [email protected] or 01924 848739 (8:30-4:30 MON-FRI)
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