When it comes to designing your dream home, every room has an important role to play. The dining room is no exception, acting as a space for families to reconvene over a delicious meal – devices off!
In years past, dining rooms were quite formal and pristine, and perhaps didn’t get the frequent use they deserve. For this reason, dining rooms as we once knew them have transformed into more casual, user-friendly spaces for many families. While the function and ambiance of dining rooms have changed over time, these living spaces have become more important than ever as families have less and less time to spend with one another due to work, appointments, extracurricular activities, and more.
At Star Furniture, our trusted design experts want to help you make the most of your dining room. We’re here to guide you through incorporating progressive decorating techniques and understanding how to select quality dining room furniture. Here’s what you need to know to create the perfect contemporary dining room, piece by piece.
Understanding Your Space
Before you begin your dining room decorating journey, it’s important to assess the space that you’ll be working with. As many homes move away from traditional floor plans, it’s more common than ever to see separate dining rooms being replaced with dining areas that seamlessly spill into other living spaces, such as the living room or kitchen. Regardless of whether your dining area is its own distinct room or part of a larger space, be sure to take note of its size and shape. Don’t be afraid to break out your tape measure and record the precise measurements of the space, so that you’ll know exactly how much room you have to work with when it comes to purchasing new furnishings.
Likewise, ask yourself if the lighting in the space could be improved. If the lighting in your dining room is too dim, it could impact the overall aesthetic of the space as you bring in new pieces. On the other hand, it will be difficult to achieve a warm, intimate ambiance if the lighting is too bright. Document this along with the measurements to keep in mind when you’re browsing trusted furniture stores and sites, such as Star Furniture.
Selecting the Right Dining Table
There’s no question that the star of the show in your dining room is your dining room table. This is the place where meals are shared, special occasions are celebrated, and the events of everyday life unfold with family and guests alike. Because of this, it’s critical to choose a dining room table that can act as the foundation of all of the meaningful moments in your life. The ideal dining room table is attractive and able to hold its own as the focal point in the room. It should also be spacious enough for your loved ones to gather around comfortably, durable enough to wear well over the years, and practical enough to be used every day.
Take one step in a furniture store and you’ll quickly see that dining room tables come in all shapes, sizes, and styles. Narrowing down which one works best in your home can be a daunting task, which is why the Star Furniture pros have broken down the different styles to make your shopping experience as smooth as possible. Here’s what you need to know:
- Traditional: Most dining room tables fit within this category. They’re often made from rich, detailed wood and paired with upholstered chairs. Their classic style gives them a timeless aesthetic that remains popular year after year.
- Modern: These dining room tables are clean lined, simple and even minimalistic. Modern style is understated and sophisticated.
- Rustic: Natural features and time-tested quality design give these dining room tables a laid-back vibe that is easy to make your own.
- Industrial: Metal and wood details come together to create a rough-around-the-edge aesthetic that feels modern and inviting.
Along with the different styles of dining room tables, these furnishings also come in many different shapes. To choose the best shape for your dining room, keep these tips in mind:
- Rectangular-shaped tables can comfortably accommodate a large group of people and fit best in rooms that are the same shape.
- Round and square tables work well in small spaces and are ideal for small gatherings.
- Oval tables can provide room for more than four people while helping the room feel bigger thanks to its rounded corners.
Chairs and Seating Arrangements
Once you have the perfect dining room table, it’s time to select the right dining chairs. Consider that going with a matching dining set can take the guesswork out of pairing tables and chairs. On the other hand, buying these pieces separately can help you achieve a look that’s personalized to your unique style and comfort preferences. Like dining room tables, dining room chairs come in an array of styles and sizes. When it comes to pairing these furniture pieces, it’s best to follow a few tips from the experienced team at Star Furniture. Here’s what you need to know before you begin shopping for chairs:
- Whether you’re looking for dining chairs that blend well with your table or make a bold, unexpected statement, it’s important to choose pieces that fit within the same overall design style of the room. For instance, if your dining room table is rustic, your chairs should have the same aesthetic to ensure your dining room feels cohesive.
- Don’t limit yourself exclusively to traditional dining chairs. Bringing in a bench or stools can help mix up the appearance of your dining room while also saving space.
- Consider the upkeep of the chairs that catch your eye. While you may love the elegant aesthetic of upholstered dining room chairs, they might not be the most practical option if you have young children. Instead, wooden or metal chairs would likely be more user-friendly for your family.
After you narrow down your search to a few dining room chairs that would work well with your table and within the space, don’t forget to see how they feel. The appearance of your chairs is certainly important, but so is their comfort. Having comfy chairs in your dining room will encourage your loved ones to partake in delightful meals and meaningful conversations every time they sit at your table. Because comfort and pitch are so important in dining chair selection, it is best to personally take a seat before you buy. Shopping in person is highly recommended. Star Furniture designers, for example, can help you find dining chairs that look good AND feel good.
Storage and Display Furniture
A great dining room table and chairs are a great and obvious way to start our progressive dining decorating plan, but what about the other furniture within the space? Most dining rooms will also include serving pieces to display and store serving ware. The type of furniture you should incorporate into your dining room depends on how much space you have as well as what you intend to use it for. Keep these tips in mind when deciding which storage and display furniture is best for your home:
- Buffets and sideboards are perfect for storing and displaying plates and cutlery. They’re also convenient for serving food during a gathering, preventing your dining from becoming overcrowded.
- China cabinets, hutches, and curio cabinets are tall pieces of furniture with open shelves that are used to display serving pieces and dinnerware.
To make your china cabinet a focal point of your dining room, be sure to style it strategically. Add visual intrigue by layering some plates and saucers, while displaying others leaning up against the back of the cabinet. Mix in glass and metallic pieces for a pop of sparkle and shine. Store bulky pieces toward the bottom, being sure to leave plenty of space between items, so it doesn’t appear cluttered.
Setting the Table
Knowing how to properly set your dining room table is an important skill that every homeowner should learn. A well-dressed table will set the tone for every meal you share with others in your home, making each person feel welcome. Fortunately, setting a table for casual and formal occasions is easier than you might think. Here’s what you need to know to set your table like a professional:
- Start with a tablecloth or table runner. If the meal is formal, consider using a crisp white table cloth. For casual dining, stick with a tablecloth or runner that complements the theme of the occasion.
- Add placemats that match the decor of the room and theme of the meal to add warmth to your table while protecting your tablecloth.
- Next, place your china or dishware on the placemat. If you’re serving multiple courses, the salad or first course plate goes on top of the dinner plate or charger. If you plan to serve bread as well, a small plate goes to the upper left of the dinner plate.
- Arrange your silverware in a specific order. The fork is placed to the left of the plate, while the knife and spoon are to the right. The salad fork goes to the right of the dinner fork and the dessert fork goes horizontally above the dinner plate.
- The water glass goes directly above the knife and the wine glass goes to the right of the water glass.
- Finally, the cloth napkin goes neatly on top of the plate with a napkin ring to add a touch of style.
Lighting Your Dining Room
The lighting fixtures that you use in your dining room will set the tone for how the entire room feels. Just as all of your dining room furniture will work together to convey a specific atmosphere, so does your choice of lighting. Chandeliers are a traditional lighting solution that works beautifully in dining rooms. They also come in a variety of styles to suit your personal preferences. Pendant lights, on the other hand, can bring a contemporary touch to your dining room while ensuring it’s adequately illuminated.
For an understated yet elevated aesthetic, consider incorporating wall sconces that can add soft lighting and sophistication to virtually any dining area. No matter what type of light fixtures you choose to decorate your dining room with, make sure that you can control how bright or dim they are. This way you can always customize the brightness of the space to help you achieve the perfect amount of light for any occasion.
Adding Personal Touches
Adding personal touches is the next essential consideration in your progressive dining room decorating experience. While the furniture you use to decorate your dining room will play a critical role in helping you achieve a particular ambiance, the small details within the space are the ones that will truly make it feel special. With this in mind, the Star Furniture designers are here to help you pull your dining room together with personal touches and accessories. Keep these tips in mind:
- Create a focal point in your dining room with a piece of eye-catching artwork, such as a dramatic painting hung above your buffet or hutch.
- Use colors that are soft and warm yet stylish and inviting, such as dark blues, greens, and grays.
- Add items that bring you joy, such as family photographs, a family heirloom, or your favorite flowers as a centerpiece.
Make the Most of Your Dining Room with Star Furniture
If you’ve always dreamed of having a beautiful dining room where eating and entertaining is a pleasure, the trusted Star Furniture design team is here to help make your dream a reality. Creating a clear vision of what you’d like to see, then thoughtfully choosing your dining room furniture piece by piece can help you create an attractive, updated and functional dining room that your family and guests will adore. Visit us online or stop by our showroom location to get started on finding your perfect dining room table, chairs, serving pieces, and more!