Why is a dining room so important?
If the kitchen represents the heart of a home, then the dining room is its warm embrace. People who feel proud of their dining spaces exude a calm confidence and positive energy that encourages instant connections with their guests. While the formal dining room was long considered a symbol of wealth and privilege, dining rooms today are spaces where family and friends can bond, share, reconnect, and enjoy a sense of community.
Lighting
Lighting is perhaps the most crucial element in creating an ambience in your dining room. Whether it is utilising large windows to allow in natural light, selecting vintage light bulbs to create a warm and welcoming atmosphere, or harnessing the romantic glow of soft candlelight, lighting is key to enhancing the entire dining experience.
Table design
When choosing the ideal dining room table for your space, consider scale, shape, overhang and the style of leg. Once you’ve made these choices, you can move on to choosing the right chairs to complement your table.
Comfortable chairs
Here are two key things to consider when choosing dining chairs. One, if your dining table is on the smaller side, try opting for chairs without armrests to save on space. Two, if you’re buying additional chairs for when the table is extended to its maximum capacity, be sure to find a designated spot for them to “live” when the occasion doesn’t call for them.
6 tips to choose chairs
- Seat width is 45cm-55cm for more “wiggle” room
- Cushion your tooshie with an upholstered seat or sling seat
- Seat depth is 50cm-60cm for the lounging element
- Angled or upholstered seat backs are great for those long post-meal conversations
- Armrests are ideal if you have the space and enjoy hosting long dinners, as these armchairs are more ergonomic, which allows guests to truly lounge and relax
- Materials matter and an all-upholstered chair is the most comfortable, emulating the feel of a small sofa
Spatial planning
Design is a very subjective matter, and what some may enjoy, others may well find overwhelming. For this reason, it’s best to go back to the basics of measurement, scale, and proportion.
Key questions that measure up:
- Is your kitchen close by?
- Where do you serve your drinks and food from?
- Do you need a server?
- Do you want to have items like crockery on display?
- How will you serve your guests?
