Rules for Decorating a Dining Room
There is no right or wrong when it comes to style and design because we all have our own tastes but there are a few simple rules to apply when decorating a room to make sure every piece, colour and pattern is in harmony. This is true for every room in the home and by following these proven methods you’ll have fantastic décor to enjoy and show off to friends and family. If you’re next decorating project is the dining room – whether it’s a separate room or a kitchen/diner – these design tips will help you get the right look.
Dining room colour
Colour is one of the basic errors people make when decorating their dining room. Wall colour is vital to creating the right environment in which to eat – get it right and you can stimulate appetite and good talk, get it wrong and you’ll suppress the desire to eat and conversation may run dry.
While not considered the ideal colour for stimulating appetite, blue can be soothing and relaxing and is great for encouraging communication which is what you want at a dinner party. If you choose blue wallpaper or paint then make sure the other pieces in the room such as crockery and tableware match.
Warm colours such as oranges, reds and yellows are classic colours for a dining room, or if you want to be a touch more contemporary go for grey, brown or black. However, while these colours are warm and inviting, they can dominate a smaller room so you have to choose your shades wisely because if you go too warm you’ll end up creating an oppressive atmosphere. For dining rooms with less space or light, wallpaper or paint on one wall will create just the right effect.
Lighting your dining room
For most people the dining room is a multi-function area of the home and used for more than just eating. If you have a kitchen/diner then it is certainly going to be a room that is used extensively throughout the day. So, when it comes to lighting a dining room you need to cover all the bases, even if the room is separate.
During the day, you need to make sure there is as much natural light coming in as possible but that’s not always an option if the room happens to be facing away from the sun or it’s in a basement flat. If that’s the case, you should avoid putting heavy curtains up and plump for blinds that are light in colour. If your room is large enough and has plenty of natural light streaming in you can afford to put up some heavier drapes and curtains.
As natural light starts to fade at the end of the day, you need to have lighting that will suit the atmosphere you’re trying to create. Warm and mellow is best for an evening meal so harsh ceiling lighting should be avoided. Use uplighters and lamps in various parts of the room and place them at different heights to create the right atmosphere. For a touch of decadence, why not consider a chandelier – these can be in the traditional style if your dining room décor is classic or contemporary for a more modern looking room. Don’t forget you can also use candlelight to create that perfect intimate atmosphere.
