Designing Your Space: The Dining Room
It is the heart of the home, sometimes connected to the kitchen, sometimes to the living room. Most of us share our meals there, from lunch to dinner. We sometimes work there too. We invite, we host, we play, we create, we talk for hours. It is a living space that holds so much life.
Let’s start with the table: there are so many variations depending on your desires, available space, and needs. You might manage without an armchair, but without a table, it’s more complicated. We do so many things around it.
In a more open layout, the dining table extends from the kitchen and can even serve as a central island, a worktop, or a bar depending on the occasion. For those fortunate enough to have a dedicated dining room, the table naturally becomes the central feature of the space.
The first question to ask yourself:
–The number of people! Do you often host guests? Is your household large? Do you already have a dining area in your kitchen and use your dining room only occasionally? Or is your table multifunctional, serving from breakfast to home-office meetings to a glass of wine with friends in the evening?
–The shape: square, which doesn’t take up too much space but can extend; round, always practical and organic, allowing two or more people to sit without table legs getting in the way; oval, for more seating and softer edges; rectangular, for larger rooms with a grand family table as the centerpiece; and for the bold, even more organic-shaped tabletops placed on unique legs or trestles!
–The material: once again, consider your lifestyle habits. Glass, yes, but more delicate; metal, yes, but colder; marble, beautiful but more demanding to maintain; wood, always a safe choice—but which one? Laminate is more affordable, but be mindful of scratches. In short, you have options! A beautiful tablecloth or runner changed from time to time can also help extend the life of your table and add an extra decorative touch according to the seasons or your mood.
–The placement: central? Attached to the bar? Near the wall? In any case, when thinking about the table’s placement, also consider the seating. Choose a bench that can slide under the table to save space in smaller rooms. Armchairs are better placed at the ends of the table. You can also mix different types of seating!
–Lighting: I would recommend both direct AND indirect lighting! A direct light that isn’t too harsh, preferably above eye level to avoid glare while beautifully illuminating the table. Then add one or two indirect light sources to create atmosphere. Don’t hesitate to include a few candles and a bouquet of flowers, changing them according to your mood!
–Colors: in a dining room, everything is welcome! But remember, it’s a lively and joyful space. We live there, we don’t sleep there (normally!), yet many emotions mix and coexist there. It’s important for the space to embrace this vibrant energy of life! A colorful tablecloth, a special vase, mismatched chairs, vintage plates, a large jug of water with several glasses on a tray, a large mirror on the wall, or a beautiful framed artwork.
Be generous in this space and enjoy turning it into a true area filled with joy, where you and your guests can flourish and create beautiful memories.
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See you soon,
V.
