How to Make a Dining Room Feel Warm & Inviting
Dining rooms can often be neglected in favour of more popular rooms in the house, here's some ways to create a space you'll love to use
One of the questions I hear most often is how to make the dining room feel more welcoming – and not just when company’s coming over but every day. It’s natural to focus our attention on the more heavily used living and family rooms, but this means formal dining rooms sometimes end up neglected.
Perhaps you chose a matching dining room set you love but never took the time to finish the room. Or maybe you filled the space with pieces that would create a look you admire, but in reality found that the chairs were not comfortable or the style was too stuffy for your family. By reassessing the colours, furniture shapes, accessories and even room layout, you can give your dining room a new lease on life, creating a space that looks warm and inviting and feels just right.
Perhaps you chose a matching dining room set you love but never took the time to finish the room. Or maybe you filled the space with pieces that would create a look you admire, but in reality found that the chairs were not comfortable or the style was too stuffy for your family. By reassessing the colours, furniture shapes, accessories and even room layout, you can give your dining room a new lease on life, creating a space that looks warm and inviting and feels just right.
3. Pull up a couch for a cushy English cottage feel
If a truly cosy look is what you crave, upholstered pieces are the way to go. Use armchairs at the ends of a long table, pull up an upholstered banquette to the side or even perch on a cushy couch - just be sure that the seat height will work with your table before making a purchase. Crates fastened to the wall become rustic shelves for displaying china here, while a fringed floral shade adds a whimsical touch.
If a truly cosy look is what you crave, upholstered pieces are the way to go. Use armchairs at the ends of a long table, pull up an upholstered banquette to the side or even perch on a cushy couch - just be sure that the seat height will work with your table before making a purchase. Crates fastened to the wall become rustic shelves for displaying china here, while a fringed floral shade adds a whimsical touch.
5. Or fake the sun with cheery yellow fabric
Sunny yellow curtains or seat cushions and a green topiary bring the outdoors in, no matter what the weather outside. If you want to bring in a living plant, be sure to consult your local garden centre to find varieties that will thrive in low-light conditions.
Sunny yellow curtains or seat cushions and a green topiary bring the outdoors in, no matter what the weather outside. If you want to bring in a living plant, be sure to consult your local garden centre to find varieties that will thrive in low-light conditions.
6. Add character with a display cabinet of curiosities
Accessories can set the tone for the room, so think about the mood you want to create before filling that china cabinet. Choose to stack your collections a bit haphazardly rather than in perfect order to loosen up the space. A garland draped from the top and more decorations hanging from the knob contribute to the fun atmosphere here. For an organic, nature-inspired look, use pretty stones, moss and leaves to accent stacks of dishes.
Accessories can set the tone for the room, so think about the mood you want to create before filling that china cabinet. Choose to stack your collections a bit haphazardly rather than in perfect order to loosen up the space. A garland draped from the top and more decorations hanging from the knob contribute to the fun atmosphere here. For an organic, nature-inspired look, use pretty stones, moss and leaves to accent stacks of dishes.
7. Suggest warmth with a blazing-hot hue
Paint a coat of vibrant red on your china hutch, buffet or chairs – try wine or tomato red for a classic look, salmon if you’re brave.
Paint a coat of vibrant red on your china hutch, buffet or chairs – try wine or tomato red for a classic look, salmon if you’re brave.
9. Liven up a plain, boxy room with painted-on stripes
Paint wide wall stripes in two tonal hues to create a bit of architectural interest in a bland room. Add a symmetrical arrangement of art on the walls to suit the strong horizontal stripes without seeming too busy.
Paint wide wall stripes in two tonal hues to create a bit of architectural interest in a bland room. Add a symmetrical arrangement of art on the walls to suit the strong horizontal stripes without seeming too busy.
10. Use a pinboard in an unexpected place
Resist the unspoken rule that dining rooms should be impersonal by bringing in a corkboard to hold current snapshots. Guests will appreciate having something to talk about at dinner!
Read more:
Key Measurements for the Perfect Dining Room
50 Very Formal, Very Gorgeous Dining Room Designs
Tell us:
What are your tricks to warming up a formal dining space?
Resist the unspoken rule that dining rooms should be impersonal by bringing in a corkboard to hold current snapshots. Guests will appreciate having something to talk about at dinner!
Read more:
Key Measurements for the Perfect Dining Room
50 Very Formal, Very Gorgeous Dining Room Designs
Tell us:
What are your tricks to warming up a formal dining space?
Sleek, modern spaces look the most at home when balanced with handmade elements, like the gorgeous Moroccan rug shown here. An oversize terrarium and colourful art bring personality while still fitting with the modern aesthetic.