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The dining room can be thought of as being the social center for your home, as it’s the perfect space to host holiday meals, sharing meals with friends, or having a family games night. It’s important that you decorate the dining room to reflect the many ways in which you will be using it.
When considering the design of your dining room, it’s important to take note of the shapes and sizes of dining tables, chairs, and furniture so that there is ample area for traffic flow when the room is fully in use.

It’s also important to consider how many people you need to seat for dinner daily, and how many you can provide space for when the need arises. If you do a substantial amount of entertaining, you may want to consider a dining table with extension leaves, and benches that can easily be tucked against the wall.

Another key factor is to determine the level of formality that you want to achieve and whether your dining room ideas lean towards formal or informal. Color can make or break a space. Which colors are you drawn to? Bright and vivid? Soothing neutrals? Browse through as many photos as possible to further define your dining room ideas – one great photo could be all you need to spark your entire color scheme.

“The dining room isn’t a space you settle into for long periods of time, so it’s an opportunity to use a strong color that is both elegant and dramatic. Rich, warm reds, corals, golds and silvery grays make great color choices; they work with lighting to coax your space to glow. Wall paint with soft sheens, such as eggshell, satin or semi-gloss, give walls more luster and depth. Keep in mind that a higher gloss level can add to the drama, but the proper prep work is important because a higher sheen will highlight imperfections. For a more modern look, highlight the right wall color with trim painted a gloss white.” ~ Benjamin Moore

Pottery Barn has a great article featuring 6 Tips to Decorate a Dining Room

LIGHTING

Lighting is a key feature of any room, and a range of lighting options should be considered for different moods. A brightly lit dining room table is perfect for helping kids out with their homework, while soft lighting can be used to create a romantic or intimate dining atmosphere.
“Ideally, you should choose bulbs and fixtures that produce between 200 and 400 watts, but the real key is layering: make sure to use a mix of lighting sources including floor lamps, wall fixtures, candles and windows (Yes, natural lighting counts too!).” ~ Pottery Barn

Choose lighting fixtures that complement the shape of your dining table. Hang rounded fixtures above round tables, and linear fixtures above long rectangular tables.

The size of your space also determines the size of the lighting. Go big and bold in larger spaces, and use smaller pendants in small spaces.

DINING ROOM TABLES

Be sure to choose a table that suits both your needs and space requirements. It’s imperative to choose a table and chairs that provide enough space to move around the table comfortably.

MIX-AND-MATCH

Mix-and-match table linens that coordinate well with one another to provide plenty of flexibility in the dining room. It’s also a great way to add color, pattern, and texture.

PLAY WITH COLOR

“The colors you choose for your linens, dishes and other help to set the tone for your dining area. Neutral colors like beige, brown, white, ivory or gray are perfect for a more traditional aesthetic. In the mood for something fresh? Try adding accessories in just one pop of a non-neutral color to shake things up. “

REMEMBER THE WALLS

The walls in a dining room provide the perfect opportunity for you to make the dining room feel truly your own. Both wall color and wall art can have a dramatic impact – and add personality and character.

FINISHING TOUCHES

“ Accessories such as vases, centerpieces and decorative objects help you personalize your space. However, adding too many of these to your table and around the dining room can make your space feel cluttered. Instead, try to focus on a small number of accessories that work well with your style, color scheme, and the shape of your dining table. A single centerpiece works well on a smaller round table, but a large, rectangular table may be able to hold two or three well-placed decorative objects.”

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