Decorating
10 Ideas For Creating an Inviting Dining Room
Design a designated dining area for when you're entertaining at home, guided by these inspiring ideas
If your home has a dedicated dining room, it’s often tempting to knock through to create an open-plan kitchen-diner. However, there is something to be said for eating in a separate space away from the chaos of cooking and washing up. Here are some ideas for creating an inviting dining room in which you can enjoy long, relaxing meals with friends and family.
Fit in an extendable table
If you’re lacking space, but still want to be able to invite friends for dinner, consider investing in an extendable table. This compact piece of oak furniture is perfect for day-to-day use, and doesn’t take up too much floor space. It can then be extended when guests arrive.
If you can’t find an extendable table that you like, you could buy a few matching smaller tables that you can scatter around the home. Whenever you need more dining space, bring all the tables together to make one large surface.
More ways to make a dining table work in a small space
If you’re lacking space, but still want to be able to invite friends for dinner, consider investing in an extendable table. This compact piece of oak furniture is perfect for day-to-day use, and doesn’t take up too much floor space. It can then be extended when guests arrive.
If you can’t find an extendable table that you like, you could buy a few matching smaller tables that you can scatter around the home. Whenever you need more dining space, bring all the tables together to make one large surface.
More ways to make a dining table work in a small space
Curate your crockery
The dining room is the perfect place to keep your serving dishes, as it’s the room where they’re going to be used most often. If you own a collection of beautiful platters it’s a nice idea to put them out on display.
Here, the blue and white colour scheme gives the different-sized crockery a cohesive look. However, a collection of mismatched dishes could look equally stunning.
The dining room is the perfect place to keep your serving dishes, as it’s the room where they’re going to be used most often. If you own a collection of beautiful platters it’s a nice idea to put them out on display.
Here, the blue and white colour scheme gives the different-sized crockery a cohesive look. However, a collection of mismatched dishes could look equally stunning.
Experiment with colour
As you’re probably not going to use your dining room for lounging around and sleeping, you don’t need to choose a restful colour scheme. So you can afford to be brave and opt for something a bit different.
The bold pink walls and matching accessories here look fun and inviting. The monochrome furniture sets them off perfectly, while the wooden floor adds warmth. It’s the perfect room for a lively get-together with friends.
As you’re probably not going to use your dining room for lounging around and sleeping, you don’t need to choose a restful colour scheme. So you can afford to be brave and opt for something a bit different.
The bold pink walls and matching accessories here look fun and inviting. The monochrome furniture sets them off perfectly, while the wooden floor adds warmth. It’s the perfect room for a lively get-together with friends.
Mix materials
Nothing says formal dining room more than a dark colour scheme. However, to avoid it feeling too stuffy, add some contrasting materials and contemporary features.
Here, the inky blue walls and shelving give this space a wonderful elegance. The formality is then balanced by the midcentury plastic chairs and the striking metallic pendant light.
Nothing says formal dining room more than a dark colour scheme. However, to avoid it feeling too stuffy, add some contrasting materials and contemporary features.
Here, the inky blue walls and shelving give this space a wonderful elegance. The formality is then balanced by the midcentury plastic chairs and the striking metallic pendant light.
Maximise space with a circular table
If your dining area is very small, you can make the most of the space with a round table. It will fit nicely into a corner of the room, and there are no sharp edges to navigate.
The black chairs perched around this simple wooden table work well as a bold edging. The gallery wall of black-framed pictures ties in with the table and creates a cosy dining zone. With the white wall, the floor lamp is essential for giving the space some ambience in the evening.
If your dining area is very small, you can make the most of the space with a round table. It will fit nicely into a corner of the room, and there are no sharp edges to navigate.
The black chairs perched around this simple wooden table work well as a bold edging. The gallery wall of black-framed pictures ties in with the table and creates a cosy dining zone. With the white wall, the floor lamp is essential for giving the space some ambience in the evening.
Add temporary seating
To maximise the amount of people you can fit around your table, keep some alternative seating in the wings.
These comfortable cushioned stools can be kept to the side of the room, or used as footstools in the living room. For a large gathering, you can then use them to replace a bulky chair and fit two extra guests at the table instead.
To maximise the amount of people you can fit around your table, keep some alternative seating in the wings.
These comfortable cushioned stools can be kept to the side of the room, or used as footstools in the living room. For a large gathering, you can then use them to replace a bulky chair and fit two extra guests at the table instead.
Make use of your conservatory
If you’re lucky enough to have a conservatory, it could be the ideal place for your dining table. You can enjoy the benefits of alfresco dining, even on a chilly evening, and it’s a lovely place to eat a cosy winter lunch while looking out to the garden.
The wooden furniture here, and the natural fabrics help this dining table fit into its setting. Nothing in the room overpowers the space, so that the outside greenery is allowed to take centre stage.
If you’re lucky enough to have a conservatory, it could be the ideal place for your dining table. You can enjoy the benefits of alfresco dining, even on a chilly evening, and it’s a lovely place to eat a cosy winter lunch while looking out to the garden.
The wooden furniture here, and the natural fabrics help this dining table fit into its setting. Nothing in the room overpowers the space, so that the outside greenery is allowed to take centre stage.
Opt for clear glass
A dining table is often one of the largest pieces of furniture in your home, so it can really take over a room. If you’d prefer it to blend into the space, opt for a glass table rather than wood.
This stylish oval table has a light quality that makes the room feel light and airy. The wooden chairs give a warm contrast, while their curved shape echoes that of the table.
Discover ways to incorporate glass into your decor
A dining table is often one of the largest pieces of furniture in your home, so it can really take over a room. If you’d prefer it to blend into the space, opt for a glass table rather than wood.
This stylish oval table has a light quality that makes the room feel light and airy. The wooden chairs give a warm contrast, while their curved shape echoes that of the table.
Discover ways to incorporate glass into your decor
Build some handy bench seating
A great way to incorporate extra seating is with a bench. Here, the table has been located next to the wall, so that a bench can be constructed beside it. Diners can either spread out, or cosy up, depending on how many of them need to fit around the table.
If you’re going to have a bench made, you could use the opportunity to add some storage beneath the seating.
TELL US…
Are you a fan of separate dining rooms? Or do you prefer an open-plan space? Share your thoughts and ideas in the Comments below.
A great way to incorporate extra seating is with a bench. Here, the table has been located next to the wall, so that a bench can be constructed beside it. Diners can either spread out, or cosy up, depending on how many of them need to fit around the table.
If you’re going to have a bench made, you could use the opportunity to add some storage beneath the seating.
TELL US…
Are you a fan of separate dining rooms? Or do you prefer an open-plan space? Share your thoughts and ideas in the Comments below.
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The wooden chairs and beige table linen here warm up an otherwise bright white dining room. The effect is natural and airy, rather than starkly minimal.
By adding a tablecloth you can completely change the look of your dining room. This daytime table could be transformed for a cosy evening with some bolder, darker fabric. Just remember to keep the rest of the room neutral like they’ve done here, as this will give a versatile backdrop for any look.