Dining rooms are the hub of the home. It is the room where the family comes together to eat a family meal for breakfast, lunch and dinner. This room can be used for casual dining, a place for the kids to do their homework or writing down your bucket list! The dining room can be integrated into an open plan, which is a great way to connect to the living and kitchen areas. Or it can be a more formal room solely reserved for entertaining.
As a space that is used regularly, it requires little furnishings. However, you will require quality furniture. There are a number of things to consider when planning a new dining room. Anyone can display their own personal style in their dining room in an affordable way. Here are 3 things to think about when planning a new dining room.
How is my dining room going to be used?
The first thing you should be thinking about is how frequently you use the room. If you plan on using the dining room regularly then a basic set up with a sturdy table and long lasting furniture is important. Think about where you want your dining setting to be. It could be at the end of your island bench or in any unused space in your home. If you use the dining area as a more formal space, a dedicated space will be more suited.
If you want your dining space to accommodate the whole family and your daily activities. Like eating daily meals, homework, paying the bills and dinner parties then sturdy furniture is a must. Find pieces that are going to be versatile like hardwood dining tables. They are durable, perfect for the kids with sticky fingers and can be dressed up when you’re hosting guests.
What kind of dining table do I you need?
When choosing a dining table, there are a number of things to consider. You need to make sure all family members are going to be comfortably seated at the table with some room for additional guests. A good amount of space is 60 centimetres for each seated person. The right size table will also be determined by the amount of space your home has. To comfortably move around the space you should have at least 1 metre from the dining table to the next surface. This will ensure everyone can move around comfortably.
Rectangle dining tables are very versatile whilst oval dining tables are more traditional. If you have a small amount of space, a round dining table with one middle leg saves a lot of room. They are also great options to encourage conversation.
What kind of dining chairs do I need?
Once you have chosen your dining table, you should have an easier time choosing your dining chairs. They should complement the table and the existing room. Look for dining chairs that share a common design element. You will find a huge range online that will save you time and a lot of money! Consider the dimensions of the chair and remember comfort will ensure people enjoy spending time in the dining room.
Setting up your dining room with the fundamentals will ensure you don’t have to keep repurchasing furniture. Remember that shopping online can save you time, effort and money when you’re looking to save money on planning and decorating your dining room.
*collaborative post*
Liza says
I love the light hanging over that dining room table. I would like to decorate with that, for sure!
Miranda says
It definitely makes the decor even more lovely
Peachy @ The Peach Kitchen says
Love the tips! Our dining room needs an overhaul right now but I am still saving up a budget for it.
Miranda says
Aw bless I am sure you guys will do it soon enough
Kristin says
These are Great tips to setting up the perfect dining room. Great share thank you.
Miranda says
Thanks Kristin
WhatLauraLoves says
Thanks for all of the tips! I’m currently saving for my own house and can’t wait to have a dining room of my own! xxx
Miranda says
You’re welcome and good luck with the savings
diana says
Thanks for these tips! I’m actually thinking about getting a new dining table in my house and I will take some of your tips into consideration when I start the hunting process. 😀
Miranda says
Glad to hear it and good luck on your search for new table
Marielle Altenor says
Loving these decoration tips. I’m not really good when it comes to decorating. Our dining room is connected to our kitchen and it’s a bit small. But I love our big family table.
Miranda says
I am not that good either lol
rika says
Love your tips. We just moved into a new house and still looking for some decorating ideas
Miranda says
Hanks Rika
Angela Kanellopoulos says
these are really some great ideas and I love that set up! I cant wait until I get a bigger place bc i seriously love decorating!
Miranda says
I can’t wait to get a bigger place too and thanks Angela
Rebecca Swenor says
These are great tips for decorating the dining room. This is indeed a gorgeous dining room. I do believe you are right when you said it is a room that doesn’t need a lot of furniture in it also. Thanks for sharing the tips.
Miranda says
Thanks Rebecca
Christy Garrett says
Our dining room is very simple too. We opted for a pub style dining room table a few years ago. I want to paint one of the walls and accent color. I just haven’t gotten around to it yet.
Miranda says
You will one day, one step at a time 😊
Karissa says
We have the smallest kitchen, no dining room at all! I hope to have a lovely room and use this tips sometime in the future!
Miranda says
Unknown the feeling, I hope to have a dinning in my next home
Brandy says
Wow I love these inexpensive ideas to decorate my dining room. I will be moving and hope to have some decor inspiration within me as we join into one household (my boyfriend and I will be uniting our households – him and his dog, my kids and me together under one roof in a month).
Miranda says
Awww that’s awesome congrats and happy for you
Kita says
Our dining room is simple. A neutral color with pops of color. It serves as our homeschool room to so we keep everything hidden away. Love your tips.
Miranda says
Thanks Kita and thanks for sharing
Liz Mays says
I’ve been wanting to give mine a good update, so I appreciate your tips a lot! Now I just need to decide which way to go.
Miranda says
I am glad to hear that, good luck with the update to your dinning area
Rachel says
I dont have room for a table and don’t have a dining room but I do wish it was one room we had, I enjoy sitting round a table to eat and chat x
Miranda says
I too enjoy that but I too have no space
Erin Ek Rush says
This is a really helpful post! We are about to move house and I really want our new space to fit us!
Miranda says
Good luck with the move luv
Jenni - Odd Socks and Lollipops says
I must confess our dining room is a craft room at the minute – but I really want to make it in to a proper dining room – I would love a huge oak table and chairs in there.
Miranda says
At least you have one. My dream home has a large oak table and chairs for everything family
Bonnie @wemake7 says
Great post! I wished my dining room looked better then it does. I love these tips.
Miranda says
Thanks
Deynece says
I ended up getting my dining set at Ashley furniture with mis matches chairs, I couldn’t decide so I did a bench and chairs 🙂
Miranda says
I say whatever tickles your fancy and works for you lol
Jessica says
My dining room is definitely not the highlight at home. Hehe. So far, I always use round table. I am living alone and quite flexible if friends come.
Miranda says
I song even have one at my flat but always nice to have one
Ickle Pickle says
Great tips – my dining room is more of a playroom lol! We manage for special occasions though. Kaz x
Miranda says
Our family one used to be exactly that and then turn into a special room for special occasions lol
mary says
Can you come to my home and decorate for me? I love your tips! I am SO NOT a decorator. I can barely match my outfits at times. lol.
Miranda says
Hahahaha lol
Mitch says
Oh how I wish I had the space for a dining room! I think the trick for me would be to keep it clean and clear of all the mess we might end up tossing on it!
Miranda says
Hahaha I think it’s the same for most of us
Heather says
My dining room is sacred to me. I have a theme each month and it’s phones down during dinner. My husband actually picked out our dining table and chairs and he did an excellent job, too LOL!
Miranda says
Awww how lovely is that, I love the idea of sitting together as a family and enjoying a meal at the table
Jess says
In the future I’d definitely love to have a huge dining table where my (future!) kids could do their homework and crafty things 🙂 I love being able to eat together as a family. Great tips!
Miranda says
Thanks Jess, I hope the same
Katy Stevens says
We don’t have a dining room but we have a dining space which is really important to us as a family. It is a hub for dinner, dumping parcels and shopping and at times somewhere for me to work!
Miranda says
I think most of us are using our dinning space for exactly that I know that’s what we do at my parents and in mine I don’t have a dinning room
Fashion and Style Police says
Lovely tips here for setting up a dining room. Thanks for sharing them.
Miranda says
You’re most welcome and thanks