This traditionally decorated dining room table features a tall floral centerpiece.
Dining rooms are often the most neglected spaces in your home, only used for Sunday dinner and special occasions. Your dining room table sits abandoned, overshadowed by more gathering spots like kitchen snack bars. But that doesn't have to be the case. Bring your dining room table back into the fold with a new decorative design that fits the rest of your decor.
Cottage
Cottage decorating has its roots in both English country and Shabby Chic decor. You can evoke this style on your dining room table with items you may already have around your home. Cover the table with a white linen table cloth. Don't worry if the cloth has been washed but not ironed. Center it with a bouquet of hydrangeas or roses in a simple glass vase, vintage pitcher or slightly battered copper tea kettle. Group mismatched tea cups and saucers and plates with a cream pitcher and sugar bowl next to a rustic pottery container holding sterling silver spoons to give the impression that tea time is imminent.
Traditional
Traditionally decorated dining rooms call to mind your Sunday best linens and dishware. Cover your table with a lace or freshly washed and starched linen tablecloth. You could also leave it uncovered, but ensure it is polished until it shines. Or compromise with a linen or lace runner to match your placemats. Center it with a formally designed bouquet in a crystal vase. Keep the formal look going by flanking the vase with tall, ornate silver candlesticks and white or silver tapers. Or circle the vase with four or five candlesticks. If you have a large table, place the flowers in a large decorative urn, and flank it with glass hurricane lamps surrounding white pillar candles.
Contemporary
Contemporary decor is all about clean lines and minimal decoration. A contemporary dining room table might be finished in a glossy black or painted white or gray and would often be left uncovered. With this empty canvas, the sky is the limit as long as you keep it simple. Place a large blown glass bowl complete with goldfish and greenery alone off center on the table. Center the table with three bamboo plants in ascending sizes placed in rectangular pottery vases. Fill a large vase or glass bowl with lemons for a splash of color in an otherwise monochromatic room.
Country
Country decorating wears many faces, but perhaps one of the most familiar is the primitive decorating style. Achieve this look on your dining room table by throwing a vintage quilt on it. Center it with a doll-size rustic bench with a muslin placemat on top. On top of that place a small wooden bowl filled with colorful balls of yarn or rags. Couple that with a Mason jar filled with wild flowers. Lean a small ragdoll against the jar and your table-scape is complete. Switch out the items on top of the bench for a fresh look every time.
Tags: dining room table, room table, table with, , dining room, dining room