6 Tips to Decorate a Dining Room

The dining room is a social center for your home. It is an ideal place for hosting holiday meals and family game nights or for sharing meals with friends, so how you decorate the dining room should reflect the many ways in which you use it. When considering lighting choices, make the most of both the shape and size of your space to create an inviting area for friends and family to share the table.

1

Bright Ideas

Lighting is a key feature of any room and should ideally provide a range of lighting options for every mood. Ample brightness is perfect for helping out with homework, while soft lighting is much better at creating an intimate dining atmosphere. Ideally, you should choose bulbs and fixtures that produce between 200 and 400 watts, but the real key is layering: make sure to use a mix of lighting sources including floor lamps, wall fixtures, candles and windows (Yes, natural lighting counts too!).

The shape of your light fixture is also important. Choose a shape that complements your dining table. For example, hang a rounded fixture above a round table and choose an oval or linear fixture to hang above longer and rectangular tables.

Finally, consider the size of your space. If you have a large dining room, go big and bold with an extravagant chandelier. If your space is smaller, smaller hanging pendants will achieve a similar effect without taking up too much space.

2

Work the Room

A dining room without a dining room table is, well, just a room. So make sure that your lighting plan compliments your dining furniture – after all, it is the room where you’ll be making memories with loved ones for years to come.

First things first: start with the table and make sure it suits both your space and your needs. Opt for a table that fits comfortably within the room, meaning you’ll still have enough space to move chairs and walk around the table comfortably. If space is limited, a smaller, round table lets you fit the largest number of diners in the smallest amount of space. For larger spaces, a long, rectangular table with extending leaves works for both everyday and the holidays.

3

Mix It Up

Mix-and-match table linens offer plenty of flexibility in your dining room. Pick and choose your linen sets so the tablecloth, table runner, placemats and napkins coordinate with one another well day-to-day. This way, you can easily toss your linens in the wash without worrying that the overall look will be off if one of the linens needs a little extra TLC.

4

Play with Color

The colors you choose for your linens, dishes and other help to set the tone for your dining area. Neutral colors like beige, brown, white, ivory or gray are perfect for a more traditional aesthetic. In the mood for something fresh? Try adding accessories in just one pop of a non-neutral color to shake things up.

Want to take things a step further? Don’t be afraid to play with bold colors and a variety of different textures. Create contrast by pairing unexpected colors and fabrics together – like lustrous velvet and earthy linen – and carry those colors through the room with the help of a fun printed tablecloth or rug.

5

Decorate the Walls

Pro tip: Never, ever, ever underestimate the impact that your wall color and décor can have on the room. Not only is it some of the largest real estate in any space, it’s the perfect opportunity for you to make the dining room feel truly your own. Start by finding a piece of wall art that speaks to you. Maybe it reminds you of your travels, or maybe it adds that perfect accent color to tie the room together. Either way, use the décor of your walls to create your perfect dining room.

6

The Finishing Touches

Accessories such as vases, centerpieces and decorative objects help you personalize your space. However, adding too many of these to your table and around the dining room can make your space feel cluttered. Instead, try to focus on a small number of accessories that work well with your style, color scheme and the shape of your dining table. A single centerpiece works well on a smaller round table, but a large, rectangular table may be able to hold two or three well-placed decorative objects.