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5 Ways to Up the Ante in the Dining Room
Turn your entertaining area into a stylish space that wows
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It’s said that entertaining at home is the new going out – if that’s true, then it’s time to turn your dining space into a stylish spot to wow guests, as well as cater to your every need when it comes to day-to-day living. There are many ways to add style to your space from comfortable seating and easy-to-maintain fabrics, to beautifully curated colour schemes and well-thought-out table settings. Whether you’re tweaking your existing design or going in for a full-blown room makeover, there’s plenty to consider.
Read on as the fabric experts at Sunbrella pinpoint the key five ways to up the ante in your dining room. You won’t want to miss this…
Read on as the fabric experts at Sunbrella pinpoint the key five ways to up the ante in your dining room. You won’t want to miss this…
1. Make it comfortable
Investing in new seating is a great way to change things up a bit, but don’t just go for the first option you see. Whether you’re replacing your dining furniture set, or purely the chairs, make sure you choose comfortable seating – just because it’s a dining room doesn’t mean the chairs should be any less soft to sit on than in any other room.
Go for designs with plenty of cushioning and springs – you can even mix it up with some armchair-style seats amongst the more traditional dining chairs, with high, cushioned backs and armrests for extra support. It’s important to think about the fabric of the chairs as well – high-quality, performance fabrics will allow you to have the softest upholstered seating for ultimate comfort.
For dining rooms with banquette seating, make sure your seat cushions are super comfy and add lots of plump cushions as back rests to make it extra plush.
Bonus tip: If your chairs and cushions are still in relatively good condition but the design is no longer to your taste, why not reupholster them in a fabric of your choice? Opt for a fabric that is stain- and spill-resistant – a must in the dining area – and, if it’s a room that gets lots of natural light, choose a design that is fade-resistant, too. You could also reupholster some cushions in other places, indoors and out, to tie the schemes together.
Investing in new seating is a great way to change things up a bit, but don’t just go for the first option you see. Whether you’re replacing your dining furniture set, or purely the chairs, make sure you choose comfortable seating – just because it’s a dining room doesn’t mean the chairs should be any less soft to sit on than in any other room.
Go for designs with plenty of cushioning and springs – you can even mix it up with some armchair-style seats amongst the more traditional dining chairs, with high, cushioned backs and armrests for extra support. It’s important to think about the fabric of the chairs as well – high-quality, performance fabrics will allow you to have the softest upholstered seating for ultimate comfort.
For dining rooms with banquette seating, make sure your seat cushions are super comfy and add lots of plump cushions as back rests to make it extra plush.
Bonus tip: If your chairs and cushions are still in relatively good condition but the design is no longer to your taste, why not reupholster them in a fabric of your choice? Opt for a fabric that is stain- and spill-resistant – a must in the dining area – and, if it’s a room that gets lots of natural light, choose a design that is fade-resistant, too. You could also reupholster some cushions in other places, indoors and out, to tie the schemes together.
2. Mix and match
Whether you like everything to match or prefer a more eclectic look, explore using different colours and patterns in your dining scheme to create an individual look. Play around with accessories, bold furniture pieces and soft furnishings in a palette of your choice, and don’t be afraid to be brave with your choices.
If you’re not sure how to use contrasting colours, start by using graduating shades of the same colour to create the perfect blend. For example, you could choose a bright citrus orange and pair it with a lighter tangerine shade, or a vivid lime green mixed with a pale chartreuse.
Combining different patterns is another element that can be tricky to get right. The key is to mix different size scales, depending on your room size, from a large print on your wallpaper to a smaller pattern on a rug or seat fabric.
Adding an unexpected element, such as a standout fabric pattern, vivid colour, or even tasselled wall hangings, as shown here, adds instant impact and can take a room from bland to grand.
Bonus tip: Opt for water-resistant fabrics for cushions you can use outside in summer; then you can mix and match outdoors, just as you do indoors.
Whether you like everything to match or prefer a more eclectic look, explore using different colours and patterns in your dining scheme to create an individual look. Play around with accessories, bold furniture pieces and soft furnishings in a palette of your choice, and don’t be afraid to be brave with your choices.
If you’re not sure how to use contrasting colours, start by using graduating shades of the same colour to create the perfect blend. For example, you could choose a bright citrus orange and pair it with a lighter tangerine shade, or a vivid lime green mixed with a pale chartreuse.
Combining different patterns is another element that can be tricky to get right. The key is to mix different size scales, depending on your room size, from a large print on your wallpaper to a smaller pattern on a rug or seat fabric.
Adding an unexpected element, such as a standout fabric pattern, vivid colour, or even tasselled wall hangings, as shown here, adds instant impact and can take a room from bland to grand.
Bonus tip: Opt for water-resistant fabrics for cushions you can use outside in summer; then you can mix and match outdoors, just as you do indoors.
3. Get creative with your table setting
Part of the fun of entertaining, whether it’s for your family or friends, is creating stylish table settings, so start thinking of your dining table as a place to show off your creative talents.
Begin by layering the table with different fabrics to help ‘soften’ the overall look. Use a tablecloth as the base layer, with a runner to break up the large expanse of tabletop, followed by napkins at each setting.
Next, add height and balance with a centrepiece – whether it’s a mix of candles, from tall candlesticks to smaller tealights and votives, or a variety of small and large glass vases and jars to display flowers. For a relaxed look, arrange your items together in small groups, or go for a perfectly symmetrical set-up for a more formal display.
Lastly, pay attention to the individual place settings. Layer table mats and crockery, and add a name tag and a small ‘treat’, such as a single stem or decoration, for each guest.
Bonus tip: Choose an easy-to-maintain fabric for table runners, tablecloths, napkins and matching seat cushions, to not only tie the whole look together but ensure they stay looking immaculate.
Part of the fun of entertaining, whether it’s for your family or friends, is creating stylish table settings, so start thinking of your dining table as a place to show off your creative talents.
Begin by layering the table with different fabrics to help ‘soften’ the overall look. Use a tablecloth as the base layer, with a runner to break up the large expanse of tabletop, followed by napkins at each setting.
Next, add height and balance with a centrepiece – whether it’s a mix of candles, from tall candlesticks to smaller tealights and votives, or a variety of small and large glass vases and jars to display flowers. For a relaxed look, arrange your items together in small groups, or go for a perfectly symmetrical set-up for a more formal display.
Lastly, pay attention to the individual place settings. Layer table mats and crockery, and add a name tag and a small ‘treat’, such as a single stem or decoration, for each guest.
Bonus tip: Choose an easy-to-maintain fabric for table runners, tablecloths, napkins and matching seat cushions, to not only tie the whole look together but ensure they stay looking immaculate.
4. Wow with whites!
Longing for a clean, simplistic dining setting, but too scared to go for neutral fabrics for fear of stains and marks? Technology has come a long way in recent years and you’ll be pleased to know that there’s no reason you can’t have perfectly crisp whites that are easy to clean and maintain.
Keep that serene feel, with white walls and a stone or light-coloured table, and sparkling glass pendants overhead. And, if you’re worried your scheme will look too stark, simply add some warm wood accents, along with tactile rugs and cushions in snuggly textures to warm it up.
Bonus tip: Using a rug under your dining table instantly changes the flooring and creates a new ‘zoned’ area – plus, the fact that it’s a softer material signals relaxation, making it a great way to create a laid-back dining space.
Longing for a clean, simplistic dining setting, but too scared to go for neutral fabrics for fear of stains and marks? Technology has come a long way in recent years and you’ll be pleased to know that there’s no reason you can’t have perfectly crisp whites that are easy to clean and maintain.
Keep that serene feel, with white walls and a stone or light-coloured table, and sparkling glass pendants overhead. And, if you’re worried your scheme will look too stark, simply add some warm wood accents, along with tactile rugs and cushions in snuggly textures to warm it up.
Bonus tip: Using a rug under your dining table instantly changes the flooring and creates a new ‘zoned’ area – plus, the fact that it’s a softer material signals relaxation, making it a great way to create a laid-back dining space.
5. Have fun with shapes and heights
Create visual interest in a dining room and inject a playful touch by mixing up the shapes of furniture and accessories. In an open-plan kitchen-diner, for example, opt for tall bar stools at an island unit to create an extra dining area. Go for patterned or colourful designs to add interest and show off your personality – and if you want extra comfort, pick a design with a high back, like these. If you already have existing bar stools, why not re-cover them or get seat pads made up in a fabric of your choice to bring them to life?
There’s nothing to say your dining table has to be rectangular, either, and these days you can choose from oval and round designs that can accommodate large groups as easily as they can a small family.
No space for a large dining table? Choose a tall, compact bistro table instead, with high chairs that fit neatly underneath.
Your turn:
How have you upped the ante in your dining room? Tell us in Comments below.
More:
Find out more about how you can use Sunbrella fabrics for indoors and out in your home here.
This story was written by the Houzz Sponsored Content team.
Create visual interest in a dining room and inject a playful touch by mixing up the shapes of furniture and accessories. In an open-plan kitchen-diner, for example, opt for tall bar stools at an island unit to create an extra dining area. Go for patterned or colourful designs to add interest and show off your personality – and if you want extra comfort, pick a design with a high back, like these. If you already have existing bar stools, why not re-cover them or get seat pads made up in a fabric of your choice to bring them to life?
There’s nothing to say your dining table has to be rectangular, either, and these days you can choose from oval and round designs that can accommodate large groups as easily as they can a small family.
No space for a large dining table? Choose a tall, compact bistro table instead, with high chairs that fit neatly underneath.
Your turn:
How have you upped the ante in your dining room? Tell us in Comments below.
More:
Find out more about how you can use Sunbrella fabrics for indoors and out in your home here.
This story was written by the Houzz Sponsored Content team.
Sunbrella fabrics combine design and performance so that you can create a luxurious space that is comfortable and... Read More
Sunbrella fabrics combine design and performance so that you can create a luxurious space that is comfortable and... Read More
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