The Art of Dining

Some of our most cherished memories take place around a dining table. Whether it be a formal Christmas dinner in your holiday best or the comforting informality of ending each day with a family meal, the dining room is one of the most important rooms in the home. 

There are various elements that go into creating a desirable dining space. You might be planning a complete redesign or seeking a few updates, but either way, a good starting point is determining how your space will primarily be used. 

Some may even have multiple dining areas: a sunlit breakfast nook, a formal dining room for special occasions, or an outdoor dining area for summer barbecues. 

No matter the purpose or occasion, Tonya Brown, design consultant at Turner’s Fine Furniture, says, there are a few elements that are vital to any dining room. 

“A well-designed dining space needs comfortable seating, good lighting, and the right table size for the room,” she explains. 

With furniture, start by considering the table. A round table creates an intimacy with your guests. Conversation flows easily, and everyone can see one another. Long, rectangular tables are a good choice for more formal spaces as they are traditional and allow hosts to be at the head.

Once you have the table, you can decide on chairs, whether you choose a complete set or mix and match. 

“I would start with comfortable chairs that encourage guests to linger more,” says Lauren Teal, owner of My Favorite Things.

With chairs composed of wood, you can add seat cushions for optimal comfort. This is also a way to infuse color, patterns, or textures into the room. With fabric chairs, it makes sense to invest in washable covers. 

“Think about swapping out your host chairs with something in a bold, fun fabric,” says Brown. 

For outdoor spaces Brown suggests durable, weather-resistant furniture that comes in many styles and materials like teak, metal, and recycled/sustainable plastics coupled with performance fabrics to ensure longevity.

Color can influence mood. To achieve an inviting room, choose a buttery yellow or cool blue paint to encourage people to relax and linger. To make a statement in a grand dining room, consider burgundy, emerald, or plum. For a space that is traditional and transitional, you can’t go wrong with white or taupe, utilizing art, table decor, and linens to incorporate pops of color. 

Wallpaper is another trending wall option. Think gingham or paisley for a quaint dining room. Botanicals and papers that mimic murals are best for formal spaces. 

The dining room is an ideal backdrop for special pieces like an antique china cabinet, important art, or the Oriental rug passed down in your family for generations. 

“Consider a gallery wall instead of a single piece of art or mirror,” says Brown. “An updated stylish rug is an easy change that gives you a big bang for your buck. Refreshing your decor, like a centerpiece, candles, or place setting, will refresh the space without a full renovation.” 

What you put on your table can make an impression. For a comfortable, everyday space, Teal recommends bamboo, wood,pottery, and linens in natural fabrics. For an elegant evening, she prefers crystal, cut glass, silver or brass accents, sterling flatware, and linen placemats and napkins. 

“If dining outdoors, unbreakable melamine tableware is now being made with beautiful patterns and colors,” says Teal. “Set a table with acrylic drinkware that looks like real glass, and use beautiful paper napkins that can be an easy alternative to cloth.” From what’s on the walls to what’s on the table, proper lighting is vital in bringing all these elements together. 

“Finding a fixture that not only matches the aesthetic you are looking for, but also has the proper scale is important,” says Janna Gray, owner of Tallahassee Lighting & Decor.

“We encourage people to consider their dining room size along with the table size so that the light is appropriately scaled for the area. Ceiling heights are a key consideration when finding the correct lighting for the room.”

For a formal dining room, consider a chandelier or pendants. These allow optimal light and are statement makers. For an inviting, warm mood, sconces or lamps set the tone. 

With all options, Gray suggests having light fixtures wired with a dimmer to control the amount of light, further setting the vibe. For dining alfresco, Gray likes portable lamps that are wet-rated and rechargeable. Her preference is the Zafferano Poldina brand. 

Some of the most memorable moments happen around the table. An inviting dining space only heightens the experience.