10 STEPS FOR DESIGNING A DINING ROOM | An Architect Explains

As an Architect, I have given an easy  step-by-step guide on how to decorate a dining room If you follow these steps you can have a dining room that becomes a comfortable space for having family meals and hosting dinners for guests.

Step 1: Choose your style in the Dining room
Step 2: Know the measurements
Step 3: Decide the furniture pieces
Step 4: Picture the layout of the Dining room
Step 5: Choose the right dining table
Step 6: Pick the area rug 
Step 7: Choose the right lighting
Step 8: Choose your colour palette
Step 9: Dress the walls
Step 10: Add art and wall accessories
How do I start decorating?
What to do if I get overwhelmed?
How can I decorate on a low budget ?

 

STEP 1 – CHOOSE YOUR PURPOSE AND STYLE IN THE DINING ROOM:

Determine the purpose of the room; is it for formal entertaining or casual family meals? Also think about the style you wish to showcase: modern, contemporary, Scandinavian. eclectic, relaxed, formal, warm, farmhouse or inviting. You can also mix and match styles. For example, you can use benches on one side of the dining table to add character.

Choosing a style can help you figure out what you need and where and how you’ll shop for furniture. It will also help you to choose furniture, rugs, curtains, cushion covers, accessories, colours in that particular style because you need to tie them all together.

STEP 2 – KNOW THE MEASUREMNETS OF THE DINING ROOM:

The next thing to do is to – measure. You’ll have to pay special attention to walls with windows, doors, niches or alcoves. Make sure you measure the openings sizes too. When deciding the furniture sizes, ensure that there is enough space for furniture, leaving at least 36–48 inches between the table edge and walls or other furniture for comfortable movement. 

Remember your entire Dining room design could not work with respect to window treatments, furniture and rugs if you do not measure each nook and cranny. Remember to take this sketch with you while shopping. It’ll prevent you from ordering incorrect size furniture or rugs or window curtains.

STEP 3 – DECIDE THE FURNITURE PIECES IN THE DINING ROOM:

Make a list of the important furniture pieces and items that you want to have in the dining room and prioritize the positioning of these items. For this, ask yourself questions like:

• What will I be doing in my Dining room?
• How many people will be eating at the dining table?
• Am I planning on hosting parties?
• Do I want to display or store my crockery in the dining room?

These questions will help you in deciding your priority regarding the dining room furniture. For example if you’re planning to host parties, you may have to invest in a bigger size dining table. If you want to keep your space clutter-free, you may want to incorporate a buffet, sideboard or hutch to store tableware, linens and display decor. 

STEP 4 – PICTURE THE LAYOUT OF THE DINING ROOM:

You don’t have to be an interior designer or an architect to imagine how your want your Dining room’s layout will be. There is a plethora of floor planner software available to help you  plan your layout.

When you take the time to draw a layout of your room, you can get a better idea of the furniture you need to buy or retain. Also, it can help you figure out if you need to omit any furniture pieces.

STEP 5 – CHOOSE THE RIGHT DINING TABLE

Dining table design is important

Select a dining table shape based on room shape: round/square for smaller/square rooms, and rectangular/oval for larger, long rooms. Consider extendable tables for flexibility.

Prioritize comfort, ensuring 10–12 inches of space between the chair seat and the table top. While you want your seating area to be comfortable, you also want to leave enough room to walk around the area without continually tripping over the edges of the sofa or the coffee table.

STEP 6 – PICK THE AREA RUG IN THE DINING ROOM:

Use an area rug to define the space and it should be large enough to allow chairs to remain on the rug even when pulled out because otherwise they will get caught on the rug. Remember the chair will push back at least 2′-3′ from the table. So keep that in mind when selecting the rug size. Never undersize a rug because it takes away from the space rather than adding value.

STEP 7 – CHOOSE THE RIGHT LIGHTING IN THE DINING ROOM:

Lighting can be quite tricky, so make sure to have an overall idea of how your dining room will be arranged before you buy lighting. For your Dining room to look put together, you need three lighting types: ambient, task, and accent. Choose statement light fixtures that blend with the design. And remember you don’t always have to use two matching lamps. You can play around with the pieces you add.

Hang an overhead chandelier or pendant light above the dining table to create a focal point, using linear fixtures for rectangular tables and clusters for round ones. The chandelier or pendant light above the dining table must not be too high. Hang it not more than 30–36 inches from the table to create an intimate and cozy feel. In addition, use dimmers, sconces, or table lamps to create a warm, inviting atmosphere, ensuring no harsh shadows exist. 

Here are some lighting ideas for your home to give you some inspiration.

 

STEP 8: CHOOSE YOUR COLOUR PALETTE

Your dining room wall colours can help determine the feel of the space. Therefore, pick a color palette that compliments your furniture choices, your home’s overall aesthetic and the style you want to achieve in this room. Also, try to incorporate more color using pillows, throws, and decorative elements to break with the monochromatic look of the space.

You might choose calm, tranquil colours to create a relaxed environment or a bolder colour palette of vibrant hues that will inspire lively conversation. White gives your space a fresh, open feel. Blue, neutral colours, yellow, green are also some options.

Mix Light and Dark Paint Colors: Instead of using only one colour, you can mix colors, patterns, and styles throughout your dining room. However, make sure that there’s a common theme, whether it’s the color, the style, or the subject matter to ensure you don’t make the space look overwhelming. When you combine dark and light colors, you create a dynamic look that adds depth and balance to your space. For example, white walls can create a crisp contrast to caramel chairs and brass hardware. 

STEP 9: DRESS UP THE WALLS

Add personal touches like accent wallpaper to create visual interest, mirrors to enlarge the space. When strategically placed, mirrors reflect light, brightening up the area and creating a sense of openness. According to Vastu Shastra, if a mirror is placed in such a way that the dining room is reflected, it creates abundance as the food is doubled by reflection.

STEP 10: ADD ARTWORK AND ACCESSORIES

No room would be complete without wall art and accessories. Add personality with artwork, plants for freshness, table linens and a centerpiece to complete the room’s aesthetic. Think about the overall theme when selecting your wall art. However, don’t go crazy, thinking that every inch of the Dining room needs to be filled. Empty space is vital in designing comfortable spaces as it provides a place for your eyes to rest. 

Hang the artwork such that the centre of the paining is at eye level, approximately 5′ from the floor. Also, if you are hanging the artwork over a piece of furniture, anchor it to the furniture piece so that it does not appear to be floating. Another point to consider is the size of the artwork. It should not be too small and should cover around two-third of the visual wall space.

HOW DO I START DECORATING MY DINING ROOM?

The tips given above can get you started on planning your dining room space. But try to start small. Otherwise, a whole redesigning project can be too overwhelming. Begin by picking the rug, dining table, dining chairs and accent art wall.

As you start to be more creative and playful with your furniture choices, try to mix up your upholstery. Mix and match pieces to give your decor more personality and break up the style. One of the safest ways to do this is to mix leather chairs with a fabric sofa or vice versa.

 

I CAN GET OVERWHELMED: WHAT DO I DO?

When in doubt, you should always turn to the experts. Look for inspiration on Pinterest, Houzz, Instagram, and other interior design outlets to get an idea of what a professionally designed dining room should look like. It can also help you get an idea of the different layouts, styles, and furniture pieces you can add to your dining room to make it a comfortable place fit for hosting dinners.

HOW CAN I DECORATE MY DINING ROOM ON A LOW BUDGET?

You don’t have to redesign your entire dining room to make an impact. Start by investing in a good rug or light fitting, in case you don’t have one. Get a few frames and upgrade your art wall decor using family photos, prints, and easy-to-find posters. Add greenery with house plants to elevate the space, and think about painting a wall or two to create more depth. These small steps can make a huge difference in how your living room space looks without having to spend a fortune to make it happen.

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