Do you ever wonder what it looks like to actually live in the homes of the people you follow on the internet? I mean, you know these houses don’t look perfectly pristine and magazine worthy all the time. What does it look like on a random Tuesday afternoon? A day when the kids have been...
Discover the beauty of open floor plans: a modern approach to home design that enhances spaciousness, natural light, and social connectivity in your living space.
Want to known how to combine the living and dining room correctly? Read article How To Decorate A Living Dining Room Combo: Best Ideas
Not sure where to start? We have selected some living room dining room combo ideas so you can start planning how to blend your most treasured rooms in the home.
After living in sixteen different apartments with roommates, Coralie took a huge step and moved in on her own for the first time. She found a one bedroom in Fort Greene that she has decorated with art of her favorite artists and books while staying true to her neat and tidy minimalist roots.
Discover organic modern dining room inspo! Elevate your space with a solid wood dining table paired with natural wood dining chairs. Get inspired to create a harmonious atmosphere blending nature and contemporary style. Find inspiration for your dream dining room!
If you have been renovating or repairing your home recently, you might want ideas on how to create private spaces. If you have a too large room, the best
How I transformed my dining space and added lots of detail and character...
Discover organic modern dining room inspo! Elevate your space with a solid wood dining table paired with natural wood dining chairs. Get inspired to create a harmonious atmosphere blending nature and contemporary style. Find inspiration for your dream dining room!
Discover how to seamlessly integrate your living room and kitchen into a cohesive space. From design tips to photo inspirations, this guide offers insights into creating the perfect living room kitchen combo for modern homes.
Illuminate your home while supporting small business. Sara Hesikova rounds up 10 independent lighting brands...
we could spend all summer up there
Discover how to seamlessly integrate your living room and kitchen into a cohesive space. From design tips to photo inspirations, this guide offers insights into creating the perfect living room kitchen combo for modern homes.
Name: Jeni Wu Location: Nob Hill — San Francisco, California Size: 685 square feet Years lived in: 2 years; Rented After years of roommates and carpeted studios, Jeni finally got the chance to move into her own apartment, and she couldn’t wait to add her personal style. She works as a home decor buyer and as an interior designer with her own styling business, Wunder Design, so it’s only natural that her space is as stylish as the homes she puts together for clients.
By Alan George Imagine stepping into a charming, rustic dining room that instantly wraps you in warmth and comfort. Picture a space where natural materials,...
An epic wall of windows sets stylist Scott Horne's always-growing collections aglow.
I received so much support after my first post & I wanted to thank you all, it means the world! It was scary & refreshing to be able to open up so honestly to everyone. The world really is a beautiful place with so many beautiful people! ♡ ♡But I want you all to brace your eyes &a
I have a little story for you today. It’s a heartwarming tale about my new favorite piece of furniture and how it came to be that I was able to bring it home. For free. I still pinch myself sometimes, honestly. A few weeks back, I got a text from a really sweet friend with...
This year put a huge emphasis on the importance of home and we are here to celebrate just that! Check out our top 10 Instagram posts below for the home highlights of 2020!
Our Q&A with founder of Maison Trouvaille
Need more dining room storage? We've gathered our favorite dining room storage ideas that will fit any size or style of space.
MRDK renovates 1981 Frank McGrath-designed house in Montreal, creating a bright, open living space with a walkout basement, contemporary dormer, and sculptural island kitchen.
Perfect for gathering the whole family together for breakfast, these cozy dining nooks are straight from the H&H archives!
Discover seamless semi open kitchen living room ideas for a spacious and connected home. Explore functional layouts and stylish decor.
Meet the Cape Rug. These hand-tufted pieces are exquisitely crafted and offer natural class and grace to your decor space. Subtle stripes offer tempting texture to this grey and white accent, sleek with a lustrous finish. Fabric: 65% Wool, 35% Viscose | Hand-Loomed Colors: Sand, Cotton, Brown All items subject to availability and should not be assumed as in stock. Contact our customer service team during business hours through our free chat (yes, there's a real person behind there) or place your order and our team will contact you! Due to COVID-19 related impacts, all items may be experiencing delays of approximately 2-3 weeks, in addition to backorder or out of stock delays. THIS ITEM IS NON-RETURNABLE/NON-REFUNDABLE // ONLINE EXCLUSIVE // NOT AVAILABLE FOR WAREHOUSE PICKUP Stock levels, backorder dates and shipping timeframes are subject to availability and change. This product will ship separately and in original packaging. Click here to visit our Helpful Information page for answers to our FAQs!
A dining room should be impressive, but it also needs to be very functional. Whether you use your dining room for all of your everyday meals or it is just used for special occasions, there are many factors that you need to consider when decorating. Here are some interior design tips & tricks for how to decorate a dining room to make it both a beautiful and functional space. Determine Your StyleThe first step in decorating a dining room is to determine your style. Do you want a traditional look, a modern look, a contemporary look, or something in between? Don't ignore the adjacent room styles since the style of your home should be somewhat cohesive. If you're not sure what your style is, try gathering many images together of what you like. Pinterest is a good website to help with this task. After you have gathered 50-100 images, remove the ones that are not your favorite and you should be left with just a few that show your favorite style. Continue this process to refine your style even more. Don't forget to involve other decision makers in the house in this process. It's important to decide on your style before you start shopping for furniture and decor items. Choose Your Color PaletteOnce you've determined the style of your dining room, you should choose your color palette. Make sure to keep in mind the colors in your adjacent rooms to ensure that your dining room colors are in a similar style. They do not have to be the same colors, but they do need to feel like they are complementary. You might want to use bold colors for a dramatic look (especially if your dining room is only used on special occasions) or you might prefer more neutral tones for a more relaxed feel. One way to easily create a color palette for your room is to select a large item, such as a rug or large piece of art, that has many colors in it. You can use 3 or more of those colors to create your color palette. For a more interesting color palette, you can also use a lighter and/or darker version of each of your colors in your color palette. This will also make shopping for other home decor easier since you will have a wider range of colors to choose from. The best way to create a cohesive look in your dining room is to use your colors in multiple places throughout your room. For example, the green in your art can be repeated as green in your curtains, green in your dining chairs, and green in some candlesticks. You Need a Focal PointAll rooms need a at least one focal point, and that includes your dining room. Your dining room focal point could be a large piece of artwork, a unique light fixture, or a statement piece of furniture. You might even choose to add a fireplace. The most common focal point in dining rooms is a grand chandelier. Another common focal point is an elaborate dining table or china hutch. If your dining room is missing a focal point, the easiest way to add one is to simply add a dining table centerpiece. Consider Your LightingLighting is an essential part of any dining room, however most people only have a basic and boring small chandelier in the center of the room. Don't be afraid to go bold with lighting! Your chandelier should not be the one that was installed by your builder and is the same as every other house on your street. Be unique and add some personality with a new chandelier! You can go with something every elaborate if you have a traditional home or something more sculptural and artistic if you have a more modern home. Also consider having more than one chandelier, especially if you have a rectangular table. Don't forget a dimmer for your chandelier so you can set the perfect mood. The best designed rooms do not have just one source of light. If you have art in your dining room, consider having an art light to showcase the art. If you have a china hutch, you can add lights to showcase your china. You can also add wall sconce to add light to the perimeter of your dining room. Candles on your dining table also contribute to your mood lighting. Choose the Right FurnitureYou should give a lot of thought and consideration to your dining room furniture, else you might create a space that nobody wants to use. The dining table should be large enough to accommodate your family and guests. When choosing your dining chairs, make sure they're comfortable and complement your overall design aesthetic. If you have a small dining room, measure the dimensions of your room to see if a round table will fit the room better than a rectangular one. You might also need to eliminate your china hutch or sideboard to maximize the dining table if your room is too small to seat the amount of people that you want. Also consider whether your dining table comes with a leaf that can increase the size of your table when needed. Most leafs are 12-18 inches wide and the same width as your table. Some dining tables come with more than one. Make sure you have a place to store your leafs when not in use (maybe under your bed?). Don't Forget About StorageDon't forget about where you are going to store all of your stuff in your dining room. You'll need a place to store your dishes, silverware, glassware, table linens, and other dining room items. Traditionally, people use a sideboard, china cabinet, or buffet that matches their dining table to store their stuff. Also consider using a non-traditional piece of furniture for storage in your dining room, such as an armoire. You can even create a built-in storage piece custom made to your exact specifications. This storage piece can also serve as a place to put food served buffet style. If you have a butler's pantry, you might select a smaller storage piece, or no storage piece, since you can store most of your tableware in there. Consider the FlooringWhen selecting flooring for your dining room, make sure to consider your lifestyle and your guests. If you have young kids or tend to be a bit messy (or your guests tend to be a bit messy), then a lighter colored carpet in your dining room is not a good option since it will be a constant cleaning nightmare. If you have tile in adjacent areas to your dining room, you can continue the tile through the dining room for a cohesive look. Hardwood floors are a popular choice for dining rooms because they're durable and easy to clean, however you will need to clean up any spills immediately to avoid damage.. Consider adding an area rug to your dining room for added color, texture, and softness. Don't Forget the WallsYou can paint your dining room walls a solid color or you can do something a little bit more unexpected. A more unique option is to add paneling to your dining room walls for added drama and interest. Wallpaper is another popular option for dining rooms. Many dining rooms have paneling on the lower part of the wall and wallpaper on the top. If you want to add something really special to your dining room, consider hiring someone to paint a mural personalized to your family. Don't forget about the ceiling - it does not have to be plain white. Ceilings can be painted a fun color and/or have molding added. Add Decorative AccentsDecorative accents are the "cherry on top" that will make your dining room extra special. Large decorative accents include items such as wall art, a rug, and/or curtains. Smaller decorative accents include candlesticks, a table runner/tablecloth, and your dining table centerpiece. These items can add texture, color, and personality to your dining room so it is not so boring and bland. Consider which decorative accents will be seen when your dining table is not in use, but also consider which decorative accents you will use when having a dinner party. Add GreenerySince dining rooms can often feel a bit sterile, adding greenery is a good option to add life to the space. Not only do plants add color and texture, but they also help purify the air. You can add plants to the corners of your room or have one large plant in the center of your dining table. When choosing your plants, make sure they're appropriate for the lighting conditions in your dining room so they will look their best. Live plants always look better than fake ones, as long as they are healthy. If you can't keep a real plant looking good, then you can buy a faux plant, but make sure it is of the highest quality (not from a cheap accessory store or big box store) and it is cleaned regularly. Instead of a plant, you might opt for fresh flowers in a vase in the center of your dining table. You can keep fresh flower in your dining room daily or just when you are expecting dinner guests. Personalize the SpaceDon't forget to personalize your dining room so it is special and unique to you. Your dining room should include items that showcase your own personality and style, not be a one-for-one copy of the style of your favorite home decor store. You can add family photos, one-of-a-kind art (that you bought or made yourself), and items from your childhood or travels. You can even decorate your dining room with your grandmother's fine china or other items that have been handed down to you. When personalizing your dining room, make sure you don't go overboard - too many personal items can make your dining room feel cluttered and messy.
Upper West Townhouse is a minimal townhouse located in New York, New York, designed by Chango & Co with interior styling by Katja Greeff
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This post lists 55 different decorative wall ideas to give you inspiration. Having a decorative wall in your living space makes your home...
“I really don’t think we’ll ever leave.”
Many people have a dining room that is rarely used so they want to use their dining room for multiple purposes. A library dining room is a great option to use your dining room as a book storage, reading space, home office, homework space, and additional room in your home but still have it available those few times of year when you need a formal dining room. Here are a few interior design tips & tricks for turning your formal dining room into a library dining room. Design StyleBefore you start decorating your library dining room, you must first figure out the design style that you want in your room. Consider the overall feeling that you want your dining room library to have. Do you want it to be comfy & cozy where you can plop down and take your shoes off? Would you prefer an elegant and refined showplace to impress your guests? How about a dark & moody old library with antique books? Maybe a coloful & fun hangout space is more of what you want? Your dining room library is most likely open to other rooms in your home, so the style needs to complement those room styles also. It doesn't need to be the exact same style, but it does need to feel like it is cohesive and belongs in your home. Search for images online of interior design and home decor styles that you like as inspiration for your own home. A popular place to search is Pinterest where you can save your favorites. After you have saved many favorites, purge your least favorites until you are left with your best option. Once you have narrowed down a particular style, it will be easier to choose the right furniture, decor, and color scheme. Choose the Right FurnitureMake sure to select the best furniture for your library dining room so that it is able to serve dual purposes. The dining table is the centerpiece of the room, so it is important to choose one that is both practical to use as a desk and a dining table, as well as looks good and is in the style that you want for the room. Make sure to not choose a table that is too small so you can seat many people for dinner, but also one that is not too big that you cannot move around easily or have room for extra furniture for you to store your books. When you select your dining chairs, make sure that comfort takes priority over style since you might be sitting in those chairs for several hours at a time. Typically, a chair with an upholstered seat is more comfortable than one that is all wood, and an upholstered back is also better than a wood or metal back. Make sure you allow plenty of room to walk around your table. Of course, you will need bookshelves - bookshelves are a must-have in any dining room library. You can choose freestanding bookcases, built in bookshelves (perhaps with closed storage below for dining room storage or storage of not-so-pretty books), or wall mounted bookshelves. You could even have a bookcase that opens on a hinge, revealing a hidden room behind the bookcase. Depending on the size of your room, you might want bookshelves on only 1 wall, 2 walls, or maybe even all 4 walls. Arrange books and decor items on your bookcases alternating between vertical and horizontal orientations for a more unique display that doesn't look like a boring and basic public library. In addition to the dining table and chairs, you may also want to include a few extra pieces of furniture, such as a buffet, china cabinet, or sideboard for storage or a comfortable armchair for reading. Incorporate ArtworkAdd artwork to your library dining room so your room looks like a home and not like a boring and sterile library basement. Your artwork can be original framed art, photography, sculpture, pottery, something you created yourself, or whatever you find beautiful. Don't just select art to fill the space - make sure to take your time finding art that you truly love! Try to have your art cover 60-75% of your empty wall that is not covered by furniture, curtains, or something else. Framed family photos can also be used as art. If you have smaller pieces of art, cluster them together to create a gallery wall where all of the pieces of art together feel like one larger art collection. Try to position your art so there is nearly equal spacing between all of the pieces. You can even display smaller pieces of art on bookshelves to break up the sea of books. Choose the Right LightingThe best designed rooms don't settle for just one light source in the center of the ceiling. This is especially imporant in a library dining room where good lighting is required for reading. Try to have multiple sources of light in your room to make the room more interesting and allow multiple different activities to work in the same space. You should have ambient light, which is all-over light, that will typically come from a chandelier in the middle of your library dining room. Don't settle for a basic small chandelier - make it special and unique. Task lighting is second most important to ensure you have lighting for your specific task, which is reading. Make sure that there are lamps that are focused in the areas where you might read or work. Accent lighting makes your room look more interesting, so add lights inside your bookcases and/or picture lights at the top of your bookcases & art to highlight featured books and artwork. Color SchemeMake sure to create a well developed color scheme before decorating your library dining room. The easiest way to create a color scheme is to select one large item for your room, perhaps a large rug or large piece of art, that has multiple colors in it and use those colors as your color scheme. You should select at least 3 colors (but you can use more) and repeat those colors in 3 or more places throughout your room. Also use lighter and darker versions of your preferred colors to add depth of color. You can "cheat" a bit by covering some of your lesser important books in a paper jacket that is one of your color scheme colors. Another idea is to get a can of spray paint in a unique color that you like and paint a few of your older accessories that you no longer like in the new color for a fresh and new look. Choose the Right TablewareDon't forget that your library dining room also needs to function as a dining room on occasion, so you will need to get all the items you need for a dinner party. Make sure to know the washing instructions of the china you select, since a lot of fine china is not dishwasher safe. Consider mixing and matching sets of china for a custom look. For a formal mismatched look, everyone should have identical place settings, however each piece of the place setting is from a different china set. You can even swap out a few pieces seasonally or per occasion to set the appropriate mood. For a more casual mismatched look, each place setting can be different, but ensure that the color, pattern, or some other element of the place setting is the same among all of the sets so it creates cohesion. Consider using accent places that have a bold color and/or pattern since everyone has seen basic white china with a gold or silver edge. Incorporate FabricsFabrics make a room feel more cozy and less sterile. They can also reduce echoes and make a room more quiet. Select upholstered dining chairs with both an upholstered seat and an upholstered back for optimal comfort during meals and other activities. Most dining chairs come with a basic white fabric that is rather plain and boring. Consider reupholstering your chairs for a one-of-a-kind look that complements your design style and color scheme. Also add curtains, an area rug, and maybe even some throw pillows to add softness and style to your room. When you are using your library dining room for dining, you might also need a tablecloth, a table runner, and/or placemats. Don't be afraid to mix and match different colors, textures, and patterns for a unique look that is yours and yours alone. Add Decorative AccentsTraditional dining rooms typically don't have too many decorative accents, however a library dining room is more like a living room, so it should have decor. If you want a vintage look, consider adding antique globes, vintage typewriters, and/or old-fashioned cameras that no only look good but are also conversation starters. Bonus points if those items belong to you or a family member with a story to tell about the items. If you want a more modern look, consider adding abstract sculptures or modern art pieces. You can also add decor that ties into your love of books, such as bookends, paperweights, or other book-related decorative items. For added color and to make your library dining room feel less sterile, add fresh flowers and/or plants. Adding a fireplace would really make your library dining room a place that you never want to leave.
Simple and elegant, our mid-century-inspired Aria dining table is handmade in Wisconsin. The pedestal is crafted from one piece of spun steel, so there are no seams or joints to spoil the look. Plus, the pedestal maximizes seating and frees up leg space, especially important in small spaces. With a wide range of top and size options to choose from, Aria is a modern dining table you can personalize for your needs. Please note: overall height may vary slightly depending on the top material you select.
Civil engineer, ceramicist, and design and art lover Katarzyna Kowalska worked with architects Kalina and Robert Juchnevic, founders of blok585m2, to maximize the space of her 355-square-foot apartment, located in a four-story apartment block designed by a famous Polish architect couple in the 1960s
Take design notes from the 40s, 50s and 60s to create a playful and stylish home
Many people have a dining room that is rarely used so they want to use their dining room for multiple purposes. A library dining room is a great option to use your dining room as a book storage, reading space, home office, homework space, and additional room in your home but still have it available those few times of year when you need a formal dining room. Here are a few interior design tips & tricks for turning your formal dining room into a library dining room. Design StyleBefore you start decorating your library dining room, you must first figure out the design style that you want in your room. Consider the overall feeling that you want your dining room library to have. Do you want it to be comfy & cozy where you can plop down and take your shoes off? Would you prefer an elegant and refined showplace to impress your guests? How about a dark & moody old library with antique books? Maybe a coloful & fun hangout space is more of what you want? Your dining room library is most likely open to other rooms in your home, so the style needs to complement those room styles also. It doesn't need to be the exact same style, but it does need to feel like it is cohesive and belongs in your home. Search for images online of interior design and home decor styles that you like as inspiration for your own home. A popular place to search is Pinterest where you can save your favorites. After you have saved many favorites, purge your least favorites until you are left with your best option. Once you have narrowed down a particular style, it will be easier to choose the right furniture, decor, and color scheme. Choose the Right FurnitureMake sure to select the best furniture for your library dining room so that it is able to serve dual purposes. The dining table is the centerpiece of the room, so it is important to choose one that is both practical to use as a desk and a dining table, as well as looks good and is in the style that you want for the room. Make sure to not choose a table that is too small so you can seat many people for dinner, but also one that is not too big that you cannot move around easily or have room for extra furniture for you to store your books. When you select your dining chairs, make sure that comfort takes priority over style since you might be sitting in those chairs for several hours at a time. Typically, a chair with an upholstered seat is more comfortable than one that is all wood, and an upholstered back is also better than a wood or metal back. Make sure you allow plenty of room to walk around your table. Of course, you will need bookshelves - bookshelves are a must-have in any dining room library. You can choose freestanding bookcases, built in bookshelves (perhaps with closed storage below for dining room storage or storage of not-so-pretty books), or wall mounted bookshelves. You could even have a bookcase that opens on a hinge, revealing a hidden room behind the bookcase. Depending on the size of your room, you might want bookshelves on only 1 wall, 2 walls, or maybe even all 4 walls. Arrange books and decor items on your bookcases alternating between vertical and horizontal orientations for a more unique display that doesn't look like a boring and basic public library. In addition to the dining table and chairs, you may also want to include a few extra pieces of furniture, such as a buffet, china cabinet, or sideboard for storage or a comfortable armchair for reading. Incorporate ArtworkAdd artwork to your library dining room so your room looks like a home and not like a boring and sterile library basement. Your artwork can be original framed art, photography, sculpture, pottery, something you created yourself, or whatever you find beautiful. Don't just select art to fill the space - make sure to take your time finding art that you truly love! Try to have your art cover 60-75% of your empty wall that is not covered by furniture, curtains, or something else. Framed family photos can also be used as art. If you have smaller pieces of art, cluster them together to create a gallery wall where all of the pieces of art together feel like one larger art collection. Try to position your art so there is nearly equal spacing between all of the pieces. You can even display smaller pieces of art on bookshelves to break up the sea of books. Choose the Right LightingThe best designed rooms don't settle for just one light source in the center of the ceiling. This is especially imporant in a library dining room where good lighting is required for reading. Try to have multiple sources of light in your room to make the room more interesting and allow multiple different activities to work in the same space. You should have ambient light, which is all-over light, that will typically come from a chandelier in the middle of your library dining room. Don't settle for a basic small chandelier - make it special and unique. Task lighting is second most important to ensure you have lighting for your specific task, which is reading. Make sure that there are lamps that are focused in the areas where you might read or work. Accent lighting makes your room look more interesting, so add lights inside your bookcases and/or picture lights at the top of your bookcases & art to highlight featured books and artwork. Color SchemeMake sure to create a well developed color scheme before decorating your library dining room. The easiest way to create a color scheme is to select one large item for your room, perhaps a large rug or large piece of art, that has multiple colors in it and use those colors as your color scheme. You should select at least 3 colors (but you can use more) and repeat those colors in 3 or more places throughout your room. Also use lighter and darker versions of your preferred colors to add depth of color. You can "cheat" a bit by covering some of your lesser important books in a paper jacket that is one of your color scheme colors. Another idea is to get a can of spray paint in a unique color that you like and paint a few of your older accessories that you no longer like in the new color for a fresh and new look. Choose the Right TablewareDon't forget that your library dining room also needs to function as a dining room on occasion, so you will need to get all the items you need for a dinner party. Make sure to know the washing instructions of the china you select, since a lot of fine china is not dishwasher safe. Consider mixing and matching sets of china for a custom look. For a formal mismatched look, everyone should have identical place settings, however each piece of the place setting is from a different china set. You can even swap out a few pieces seasonally or per occasion to set the appropriate mood. For a more casual mismatched look, each place setting can be different, but ensure that the color, pattern, or some other element of the place setting is the same among all of the sets so it creates cohesion. Consider using accent places that have a bold color and/or pattern since everyone has seen basic white china with a gold or silver edge. Incorporate FabricsFabrics make a room feel more cozy and less sterile. They can also reduce echoes and make a room more quiet. Select upholstered dining chairs with both an upholstered seat and an upholstered back for optimal comfort during meals and other activities. Most dining chairs come with a basic white fabric that is rather plain and boring. Consider reupholstering your chairs for a one-of-a-kind look that complements your design style and color scheme. Also add curtains, an area rug, and maybe even some throw pillows to add softness and style to your room. When you are using your library dining room for dining, you might also need a tablecloth, a table runner, and/or placemats. Don't be afraid to mix and match different colors, textures, and patterns for a unique look that is yours and yours alone. Add Decorative AccentsTraditional dining rooms typically don't have too many decorative accents, however a library dining room is more like a living room, so it should have decor. If you want a vintage look, consider adding antique globes, vintage typewriters, and/or old-fashioned cameras that no only look good but are also conversation starters. Bonus points if those items belong to you or a family member with a story to tell about the items. If you want a more modern look, consider adding abstract sculptures or modern art pieces. You can also add decor that ties into your love of books, such as bookends, paperweights, or other book-related decorative items. For added color and to make your library dining room feel less sterile, add fresh flowers and/or plants. Adding a fireplace would really make your library dining room a place that you never want to leave.
…
Name: Jenny Subil and partner ChrisLocation: Portland, OregonType of home: ApartmentSize: 580 square feetYears lived in: 2 years, renting Tell us a little (or a lot) about your home and the people who live there: Jenny is a social worker (who has also worked a lot of odd jobs) and Chris is a photographer. We moved to Portland from the San Francisco Bay Area just about two years ago and had only seen pictures of the model units online, which we acknowledge was a pretty big risk.
A dining room should be impressive, but it also needs to be very functional. Whether you use your dining room for all of your everyday meals or it is just used for special occasions, there are many factors that you need to consider when decorating. Here are some interior design tips & tricks for how to decorate a dining room to make it both a beautiful and functional space. Determine Your StyleThe first step in decorating a dining room is to determine your style. Do you want a traditional look, a modern look, a contemporary look, or something in between? Don't ignore the adjacent room styles since the style of your home should be somewhat cohesive. If you're not sure what your style is, try gathering many images together of what you like. Pinterest is a good website to help with this task. After you have gathered 50-100 images, remove the ones that are not your favorite and you should be left with just a few that show your favorite style. Continue this process to refine your style even more. Don't forget to involve other decision makers in the house in this process. It's important to decide on your style before you start shopping for furniture and decor items. Choose Your Color PaletteOnce you've determined the style of your dining room, you should choose your color palette. Make sure to keep in mind the colors in your adjacent rooms to ensure that your dining room colors are in a similar style. They do not have to be the same colors, but they do need to feel like they are complementary. You might want to use bold colors for a dramatic look (especially if your dining room is only used on special occasions) or you might prefer more neutral tones for a more relaxed feel. One way to easily create a color palette for your room is to select a large item, such as a rug or large piece of art, that has many colors in it. You can use 3 or more of those colors to create your color palette. For a more interesting color palette, you can also use a lighter and/or darker version of each of your colors in your color palette. This will also make shopping for other home decor easier since you will have a wider range of colors to choose from. The best way to create a cohesive look in your dining room is to use your colors in multiple places throughout your room. For example, the green in your art can be repeated as green in your curtains, green in your dining chairs, and green in some candlesticks. You Need a Focal PointAll rooms need a at least one focal point, and that includes your dining room. Your dining room focal point could be a large piece of artwork, a unique light fixture, or a statement piece of furniture. You might even choose to add a fireplace. The most common focal point in dining rooms is a grand chandelier. Another common focal point is an elaborate dining table or china hutch. If your dining room is missing a focal point, the easiest way to add one is to simply add a dining table centerpiece. Consider Your LightingLighting is an essential part of any dining room, however most people only have a basic and boring small chandelier in the center of the room. Don't be afraid to go bold with lighting! Your chandelier should not be the one that was installed by your builder and is the same as every other house on your street. Be unique and add some personality with a new chandelier! You can go with something every elaborate if you have a traditional home or something more sculptural and artistic if you have a more modern home. Also consider having more than one chandelier, especially if you have a rectangular table. Don't forget a dimmer for your chandelier so you can set the perfect mood. The best designed rooms do not have just one source of light. If you have art in your dining room, consider having an art light to showcase the art. If you have a china hutch, you can add lights to showcase your china. You can also add wall sconce to add light to the perimeter of your dining room. Candles on your dining table also contribute to your mood lighting. Choose the Right FurnitureYou should give a lot of thought and consideration to your dining room furniture, else you might create a space that nobody wants to use. The dining table should be large enough to accommodate your family and guests. When choosing your dining chairs, make sure they're comfortable and complement your overall design aesthetic. If you have a small dining room, measure the dimensions of your room to see if a round table will fit the room better than a rectangular one. You might also need to eliminate your china hutch or sideboard to maximize the dining table if your room is too small to seat the amount of people that you want. Also consider whether your dining table comes with a leaf that can increase the size of your table when needed. Most leafs are 12-18 inches wide and the same width as your table. Some dining tables come with more than one. Make sure you have a place to store your leafs when not in use (maybe under your bed?). Don't Forget About StorageDon't forget about where you are going to store all of your stuff in your dining room. You'll need a place to store your dishes, silverware, glassware, table linens, and other dining room items. Traditionally, people use a sideboard, china cabinet, or buffet that matches their dining table to store their stuff. Also consider using a non-traditional piece of furniture for storage in your dining room, such as an armoire. You can even create a built-in storage piece custom made to your exact specifications. This storage piece can also serve as a place to put food served buffet style. If you have a butler's pantry, you might select a smaller storage piece, or no storage piece, since you can store most of your tableware in there. Consider the FlooringWhen selecting flooring for your dining room, make sure to consider your lifestyle and your guests. If you have young kids or tend to be a bit messy (or your guests tend to be a bit messy), then a lighter colored carpet in your dining room is not a good option since it will be a constant cleaning nightmare. If you have tile in adjacent areas to your dining room, you can continue the tile through the dining room for a cohesive look. Hardwood floors are a popular choice for dining rooms because they're durable and easy to clean, however you will need to clean up any spills immediately to avoid damage.. Consider adding an area rug to your dining room for added color, texture, and softness. Don't Forget the WallsYou can paint your dining room walls a solid color or you can do something a little bit more unexpected. A more unique option is to add paneling to your dining room walls for added drama and interest. Wallpaper is another popular option for dining rooms. Many dining rooms have paneling on the lower part of the wall and wallpaper on the top. If you want to add something really special to your dining room, consider hiring someone to paint a mural personalized to your family. Don't forget about the ceiling - it does not have to be plain white. Ceilings can be painted a fun color and/or have molding added. Add Decorative AccentsDecorative accents are the "cherry on top" that will make your dining room extra special. Large decorative accents include items such as wall art, a rug, and/or curtains. Smaller decorative accents include candlesticks, a table runner/tablecloth, and your dining table centerpiece. These items can add texture, color, and personality to your dining room so it is not so boring and bland. Consider which decorative accents will be seen when your dining table is not in use, but also consider which decorative accents you will use when having a dinner party. Add GreenerySince dining rooms can often feel a bit sterile, adding greenery is a good option to add life to the space. Not only do plants add color and texture, but they also help purify the air. You can add plants to the corners of your room or have one large plant in the center of your dining table. When choosing your plants, make sure they're appropriate for the lighting conditions in your dining room so they will look their best. Live plants always look better than fake ones, as long as they are healthy. If you can't keep a real plant looking good, then you can buy a faux plant, but make sure it is of the highest quality (not from a cheap accessory store or big box store) and it is cleaned regularly. Instead of a plant, you might opt for fresh flowers in a vase in the center of your dining table. You can keep fresh flower in your dining room daily or just when you are expecting dinner guests. Personalize the SpaceDon't forget to personalize your dining room so it is special and unique to you. Your dining room should include items that showcase your own personality and style, not be a one-for-one copy of the style of your favorite home decor store. You can add family photos, one-of-a-kind art (that you bought or made yourself), and items from your childhood or travels. You can even decorate your dining room with your grandmother's fine china or other items that have been handed down to you. When personalizing your dining room, make sure you don't go overboard - too many personal items can make your dining room feel cluttered and messy.
Small living rooms demand smart design choices. Thoughtful arrangements, such as cozy nooks and strategic seating, can transform a compact living area into a well-designed, comfortable retreat. This post lists …
