Dining By Design

The dining room and the kitchen are generally the two main gathering spots for friends and family, and the common architecture of today often has only one main dining area, making it important for it to be not only functional, but aesthetically pleasing. Here are some ideas to consider:

1. Consider the “atmosphere” you want your area to project. A monochromatic scheme in light colors creates a feeling of openness, spaciousness, and cleanliness. Darker colors create a more intimate space, which is much easier to produce when there is a separate room away from the kitchen.
2. Evaluate the lighting of the space. All dining areas can benefit from a special light fixture that will add ambient lighting and a finishing touch to the verticality of the space. The size and shape of the fixture can be guided by the shape of the room and dining table. As a general rule, the bottom of the fixture should be 34-38” above the tabletop.
3. Declutter in small dining areas. Bring focus to a main wall with a special piece of art and keep other accessories at a minimum.
4. Make a bolder statement on the focal wall with a special sideboard. Either a sleek look for a more contemporary style or a special family heirloom joined with contemporary dining table and chairs is in keeping with today’s popular look.
5. The finishing touch of the window treatment and an area rug bring texture and softness to the dining experience. Determining the best choices for either of these will be guided by the style, scale, and color of the dining furniture.