Create a dining room that is both beautiful and intimate
Have you ever noticed that when people are visiting your home—especially for the holidays, they tend to stay in or around the kitchen? Perhaps that’s because that area is where many of us nurture and connect with our families, and it’s a good place to bond with guests and family members as well.
Eating together is a way that many of us feel close to our loved ones, so it’s important that our dining spaces foster that kind of intimacy. Whether you have a casual or formal dining space, Jerome’s can help you create a space to connect with those you care about most.
Monte Carlo Dining Collection
1. Soften the mood with color
To keep your dining room from feeling too formal, create a more intimate setting with a soft foundation of color. Warm colors tend to stimulate conversation, and shades of reds are a popular choice for dining rooms because the color represents passion and a healthy appetite. If your space is dark or small, use color subtly. It may be more effective to paint or wallpaper one wall red, or simply hang a large, red-based painting. Or, you may want to paint three walls one color and use a complementary color on the fourth wall to create a focal point.
Other colors that foster warmth and intimacy are yellows and oranges — keep them light and soft for an airy feel. Some color experts say that pinks and purples have a sedative affect, so they’re not ideal for dining rooms. However, greens and blues are relatively neutral and can look very fresh and inviting, especially when paired with white.
Whatever color you choose, try something that complements your furniture and style — as long as you love it, that’s all that matters!
Colors can dramatically change the mood in your dining space
2. Choose furnishings that fit
Furniture should make a room more functional, not overwhelm the space. The table should fit comfortably, and there should be room to move the chairs back without banging into another piece of furniture. Ideally, you want to have at least three feet of space around the table to be about to pull out chairs and get around the table comfortably while people are seated.
Save-saving design fits rooms with limited space.
The right table – centered on a vibrant area rug – will anchor your dining space. The shape of the table depends on the size/shape of your room (and personal preference, of course).
A round table is popular for more intimate settings and allows for easy conversation — it can soften a boxy room, too. A small square table also does well in tight quarters, while long rectangular tables work best in bigger rooms. You might opt for a smaller table that comes with one or two extension leaves — this will give you more space for everyday use throughout the year, while keeping the option of entertaining more guests when the need arises.
A pub or bistro table with counter stools, swivel chairs or barstools can be a great addition for a small dining nook or a corner of a kitchen. When people are sitting at bistro tables they are almost on the same eye level as someone who may be standing nearby, which encourages conversation.
Choose your dining room chairs according to the wear and tear you expect them to have. If you have small children or pets who like to climb/claw, it’s probably not wise to cover your chairs in silk. A good alternative to plain wooden seats is to buy leather chairs — leather is very durable and easy to clean, and it will maintain its looks over many years of use.
Try a bench for a different seating surface. Also opt for padded chairs.
Even in today’s more formal dining spaces, the chairs don’t all have to be the same. If you have a rectangle table with eight chairs, consider getting different chairs for the two end chairs, three side chairs in X-back style, and the last three in a simple micro-suede fabric — then stagger the styles around the table. Or, if you have a round pedestal table with four chairs, you might place two leather armchairs across from each other and two upholstered fabric chairs opposite each other. The idea is to have a common theme — if your chairs are different shapes, use a coordinating fabric. Or for different fabric patterns, keep the same wood stain or chair shape.
The result will be a personal reflection of your style with all the function of everyday furniture.
3. Accessorize to set the mood
Change up your table decorations so that they don’t seem stale and stuffy. Add some fresh flowers every now and then, or feature collections of the season’s colors. For example, in autumn month, display a collection of fallen leaves, pine cones, sprigs of evergreen, and tiny pumpkins or gourds.
Use mirrors to brighten and open up your room. A large mirror is a nice addition to any wall, but it can really help to make a small space seem larger, and the light it reflects from your chandelier, candles or other lighting will enhance the mood of the room even more.
Alternatively, a large piece of artwork or a tapestry can serve as a great way to bring the colors of your room together and can serve as an interesting conversation piece as well.
- Accessories can be minimal. A small touch can make a big difference.
Adding warm color and visual interest with accessories will help you create a dining space that is full of personality and ready for entertaining family and friends.