FAQs: Styling up a dining space.
There’s no denying that dining rooms can often be tricky to furnish. They come in so many shapes and sizes, and people often struggle when it comes to deciding what to put into the space.
Not to mention, the concept of dining rooms has changed immensely over time. From eating together as a family every evening at the family dinner table, to casual meals in front of the television or at the kitchen island - dining rooms just aren’t what they used to be and it’s added a new element of confusion into the mix. So, naturally we’re here to set the record straight. Your dining table questions answered - let’s go!
Is there a rule of thumb when choosing a round dining table vs rectangle?
There are a few factors to consider when choosing the right table for a space;
Layout and the shape of the room.
Some rooms naturally lean more towards a round or rectangular table. For example, a long, narrow space lends itself to a more rectangular shape whilst a smaller, boxier room would look great with round.
2. How many bedrooms the home has and how many people the table will need to seat.
This is such an important consideration! For example, if you’ve got a 3-bedroom home, our rule of thumb is your dining table should seat six people. This would mean a round or rectangular dining table is a good option. Yet, if you’ve got a large family and you’re prone to entertaining, then you might like a 12-seater dining table which lends to a long, rectangular table.
3. The electrical plan and what is happening on the ceiling.
This is an aspect that is often forgotten about or ignored when deciding on dining table shape but needs to be considered. Long rows of lighting or bulk heads will warrant a rectangular table, whilst a singular drop pendant will call for round.
What's the most common mistake you come across in people's dining rooms?
The most common mistake we see in our homes is regretful purchases. This is often due to purchasing the wrong size or shape for the dining room. It’s easy to fall in love with a particular setting in store or online, but it’s so important to triple check your measurements to ensure it’s the right fit for your space.
Other common mistakes we see are picking the wrong chairs for the table and this can be due to a number of different reasons…
Picked a gorgeous dining chair in a beautiful upholstery - Is that really a safe choice for a growing family?
Opted for an armed chair style - Does that mean the arms prevent you from tucking the chairs neatly under the table?
Going with a beefy chair because they were super comfortable - Can you still pull the chairs in and out with ease in the space or do you have to squeeze between the wall and the table?
Tips to up-style a room and keep it affordable?
As a generation we are not buying furniture like our parents once did. These days we have access to so many products and home trends are ever-evolving. Consumers demand fast and on-trend products now and don’t typically invest in the same “lifetime” quality as the older generations before us. It’s a different market and mentality entirely.
Yet, with the cost of living forever rising, we can’t all afford to replace our furniture every few years. As such, we always advise clients to invest in the key staple pieces that they really love and work with their lifestyle and then mix up the style and overall theming with the finishing touches. This makes it easy to refresh interior spaces for years to come in a cost-effective way.
When we talk affordability and sustainability second hand furniture is unbeatable. With tools like Facebook Marketplace in the palm of our hand it’s never been easier. Bagging a bargain is a wonderful feeling and you’re doing your bit for the planet which makes it even better!
When it comes to colour in the dining room, do you have a rule that you stand by?
In keeping with our signature style, we will always choose up to three consistent colours when styling a home and repeat them throughout. This applies to the dining room selections also. Large artwork and table décor are effective ways to bring colour to the space without investing in coloured dining chairs, for example, that may date quickly.
We’ve all heard of the saying less is more, is this true in the design world when it comes to the dining room?
Less is absolutely more! Dining rooms are not meant to be complicated. We always encourage our clients to keep them simple and use symmetry to create easy balance. From here, all that’s left to add is great company! Despite changes to our lifestyles, dining spaces remain the heart of the home - here, loved ones congregate to make memories and share in celebration. The room should support this.
How do we dress our dining room furniture?
For us, it’s all about injecting life, height and colour into the space so we are all about fresh greenery or a vignette of ceramic vases. Oversized leaves look amazing and add a sense of drama. Whilst vases inject a little more personality as they reflect the taste of the individuals within the home.
When it comes to smaller apartment living, do you have any space saving tips to help the space look larger?
For sure! Round dining tables are perfect for apartment living but one with a glass top is the real winner here. Glass top tables give the illusion of space and are careful not to define the space like a heavy solid material would.
Alternatively, there is always the option to create a casual meals nook with built in bench seating around a table. This looks amazing and also provides some additional storage space which is key in apartment living.
Do you have any insight into up and coming trends?
Curves are the new black and we continue to see curved furniture designs hitting the market. People are also opting for very natural elements to their finishes. Timber, linens, marble, limestone and travertine are very on trend at the moment.