Dining rooms today are often used for more than just eating meals.
Developing a plan for your begins with your own personal style. Whether you look to create a formal or casual place to gather for meals, consider any unique challenges the room has, such as an odd shape, large or small size or interesting features. Though these can be perceived as limitations, use them as a starting point to create a beautiful dining room you can enjoy for many meals to come.
Instructions
1. Decide on a goal for the room. Consider if you would like to keep the room clear of clutter, provide a place for homework or simply create an inviting place to share a meal. To get a feel for the size, measure the room and any furniture that will be used in the room.
2. Unify the dining room with adjacent areas by complementing colors, flooring and style. This can be especially beneficial in small spaces to make the room feel larger.
3. Highlight a focal point for the room. Architectural and decorative elements, such as a fireplace, artwork or a display cabinet, are perfect focal points. This is where your personal style begins in the room; coordinate other decorative elements throughout the room for a unified style.
4. Decide on a furniture arrangement for major pieces, such as the table, buffet and display cabinet. Allow a minimum of 24 inches from the table edge to the wall behind to accommodate a seated person or 36 to 54 inches if there will be a pathway behind a chair. To figure how many people can fit around the table, allow 24 inches of table edge for each seat or 25 to 28 inches for a round table.
5. Select furnishings that are fitting for the room size and style. Massive furniture and rectangular tables work well in large rooms, while small rooms require smaller-scale furniture, such as round or glass-top tables. Choose an area rug a few feet larger than the table, in the style of the room to define the space -- this is especially helpful in a large room or for a dining area that is part of a great room.
6. Improve function of the room by creating light layers. Ambient light provides general illumination, task light is functional for example a pendant light over a buffet. Accent light can be incorporated in a wall niche or flickering candles. Dimmer switches are ideal for creating an intimate setting.
Tags: dining room, your personal style, decorative elements, display cabinet, personal style
