Decorating the dining room: 7 must haves!

Decorating the dining room in the best possible way, even if it is just an area of the living room, is paramount to creating a cozy environment!

The dining area is where you host friends and family to share a good meal together.

It is an indeed important convivial area in the home.

Before considering how to decorate the dining room, the first thing to do is figure out how much space you have for this area: an entire room? A great open space with a living room? Or a small corner of the living area?

1 – CHOOSE THE RIGHT TABLE

This choice is crucial both in terms of style and composition; a good design is about scale, proportions, and balance (I discuss this here).

Compared to its surroundings, a table that is too big or too small will create disharmony!

So here it is once you have identified the space dedicated to the dining area, you will have to figure out the proper size of the table so that it is proportionate to the rest of the room!

(credit belliani.it; blogovin.com)

Having figured out the correct dimensions for the table, you can look for the style and material that best matches the room.

Even if you have an entire room to dedicate to a dining room, try to give continuity of style (or mix of, as always) with the rest of the house.

There must ALWAYS be a common thread.

Of course, this is much more visible if the dining area is in the same room as the living room.

2 – CHANDELIER

Light is essential in any environment; and is no exception in the dining area.

Choosing the right chandelier will serve both the functional level of properly illuminating where you eat and, of course, the aesthetic level.

Peculiar-shaped chandeliers will help draw attention to the dining area by giving it character.

The choice of shape should complement the form of the table: a rounded-shaped chandelier will look very good on a round table, and for a rectangular table will be better an elongated chandelier or a row of chandeliers!

o una fila di lampadari!

(credit maisonsdumonde.com; Noted Design Studio)

When the space is small and, therefore, so will the table, you can also opt to play with several small chandeliers, but placed at different heights.

(credit amazon; living-corriere)

That will avoid putting a visually too heavy chandelier and create movement with a really intriguing composition.

3 – THE CHOICE OF CHAIRS

Until a few years ago, chairs were in agreement with the table, and that’s perfectly fine, we would miss it, but for a more contemporary and extravagant look, you can also think about putting different chairs around the table!

They can be chairs that are all the same but contrast with the table or just chairs that are all different (but have a common thread such as material or color!).

(credit mernee.dk)

If the table is very elaborate or noteworthy, choose simple chairs to lighten it up, but mostly to let the table be the “star.”

(credit diotti.it)

If, on the other hand, you have opted for a very linear and straightforward table, then you can play a little more!

Choosing different chairs is a way to bring different textures, materials, shapes, and colors to your dining room.

If the dining area is in your living room, you can get chairs that can become “multifunctional,” that is, great for sitting at the table and as an extra seat next to the sofa.

4 – WALL DECORATIONS

Don’t underestimate the importance of wall decoration: a painting, a photograph, or a mirror, can change the face of a room.

Art tells a story; the right art can tell YOUR story!

Putting the right piece (or pieces) on the wall will help give character to your dining room, bringing different colors and textures and complementing the room.

It could be something that reminds you of your travels, or could add that perfect splash of color that brightens up the room, or even a stunning mirror that gives the room light and air.

(credit Décor Aid by houzz; homearkansas.com)

It has to be something meaningful to you, and that represents you.

Again, it will be paramount and crucial to consider the right size: a picture that is too small will be lost, and too large will overpower the room, creating disharmony.

If you decide to put several pieces, make them “talk” to each other, either by the same frames, the same subject, or through colors.

Create your composition on the floor first, then make paper cutouts the size of the frames.

Then arrange these cutouts on the wall with paper adhesive to see if it is harmonious and the right size relative to the portion of the wall.

When it is okay, you can plant the nails and replace the paper cutouts with actual frames.

(credit Pinterest)

That will prevent you from needlessly poking holes in the wall and have a perfect composition immediately!

5 – RUGS

Especially if the dining area is in the living room, putting a large rug that “encloses” the table and chairs is a good idea for optically dividing the various zones.

Then the rug is yet another way to bring texture and color into the room.

Again, pay attention to size! The rug needs to accommodate the chairs even when you move them away for seating; otherwise, the risk is tripping over it with the legs.

(credit Metricon by Houzz)

Also, a too small rug will make the dining area look much smaller, and too large will smother the table and chairs!

6 – ACCESSORIES

Accessories such as vases, centerpieces, and tableware help o personalize in addition to decorating your dining room.

Be careful not to overdo it with too many items, as that would make the room too crowded and confusing.

Better a few well-chosen pieces that perfectly match your style and personality.

(credit Etsy.com; Minotti by Houzz)

As you can imagine, these decorations also help you bring in colors, shapes, and textures creating movement and vibrancy.

7 – PLANTS

You imagined it, didn’t you? Plants are always a great way to decorate any room in the house, so, of course, the dining room too!

As I’ve said other times, plants bring us closer to nature, making us feel good.

Plants then make spaces more luxurious and, above all, less cold and impersonal!

Where space does not allow you to put pots on the floor, you can opt for arrangements to put them on the table or on the furniture you have nearby.

(credit freedom.com.au; inspirationformoms.porch.com)

Is there anything else you would add to decorate your dining room? Tell me in the comments!

Is there anything else you would add to decorate your dining room? Tell me in the comment below!

I hope this article was helpful and you love it; in case, let me know in the comments!

Feel free to share it with anyone you think might be interested, I will be honored, and it will help me get my name out there.

If you feel that your home, or some environment of it, does not reflect you enough, do not wait any longer and book your consultancy!

This post is also available in: Italian