• Products
    No products were found that matched your criteria.
      • Blog
        No blog posts were found that matched your criteria.

      RSS Blog posts tagged with 'dining room'

      Blog Filters
      Picture for blog post Bench Warmers: Bench Seating Ideas for the Dining Room

      Bench Warmers: Bench Seating Ideas for the Dining Room

      Friday, November 20, 2020

      The grandeur and pageantry of formal dinners have faded from modern landscapes as much as the detachable starched collar - so has the prevalence of gratuitous dining arrangements in the compact urban homes of our present age. Given the space most of us get to work with, our common dining arrangements have evolved to facilitate more casual meals in the interest of limiting footprints and conserving space: with a bench taking up the same amount of floor space as - if not less than, several dining chairs. If you’ve come across our pointers on how to set up a compact or minimalist dining space, you may be interested in going through the various ways one can assemble casual bench seating or restaurant style banquette arrangements.


       
      Countryside Charm Image source: Sustainable Pals

      A banquette arrangement surrounded by walls in pastel blue and floors decked in wood immediately evokes imagery of countryside skylines. The classical rendering of a dining space from rural environments is reinforced by the decorative trim lining the base of the banquette seating and the intricate motifs sewn into the fabric of the cushions. The accompanying chairs are composed from frames of wood in a shade matching the floor, and a dining table with a single plinth instead of multiple legs is selected - so as not to detract from the ornate decorative features of the banquette’s base.


      Rustic Industrial Image source: Hafoti

      With a bench bearing the same design and composed of the same materials as the dining surface it accompanies, the result is a cohesive arrangement that does more to maintain a sense of space. The pictured arrangement is placed over a simplistic weaved textile rug and furnished by rustic constructions of darkly lacquered wood. The individual pieces of wood are joined in the fashion of traditional carpentry - with both hidden and overt varieties of the common mortise and tenon joints, while the frames are bound by reinforcing bars that are held in tension with industrial coupling attachments of vintage origin.


      Provençal Defined Image source: Geoloqal

      The intermingling of classical and rustic vibes in this dining space is the very definition of Provençal style - with a coffered ceiling and ornate decorative plaster trim on the surrounding whitewashed walls. The furnishings are composed of visibly aged wood and upholstered with simplistic fabrics, with the bench constructed out of the same materials and bearing the same rustic design of the through mortise and tenon joints as seen in the legs of the dining surface. The incorporation of a quintessential stone planter bowl decorated with lion heads, and the pair of cyclopean chandeliers - vintage metal chandeliers encased in metal rings appropriated from wine barrels, further reinforce the Provençal ancestry of the décor.


      Country Light Image source: Dans Design Magz

      The pictured dining arrangement evokes imagery of the European countryside with seat cushions upholstered in a deep blue fabric bearing geometric motifs in white to match the surrounding walls. The accompanying furnishings are deliberately selected for their space-saving designs: Eero Saarinen’s 78-inch diameter Oval seats up to eight diners, while its robust cast-moulded aluminium base minimises the expected clutter of table legs against the scant floor space. The accompanying chairs are the DSW variation of the Eames duo’s moulded polypropylene shell from the 1950s, mounted on the Scandinavian reinterpretation of the iconic Eiffel Tower legs seen in the DSR original. Punctuating this space when lit but camouflaged against the background when not needed, is the lighting fixture known as "PH 4/3" - a Poul Henningsen creation based on his famed Artichoke.


      Understated Sophistication Image source: Listspirit

      A vintage banquette assembly, subtly speaking in minimalist tones of the kind of décor associated with the American Prohibition era, is composed out of velvet capitoné upholstery in drab olive. The shade of the bench cushions is complemented by a regal slab of serpentine marble bearing serene swirls of white against a background of dusky green. The table’s box steel legs of minimalist design are contrasted in monochromatic fashion against the polished tubular steel frames of the accompanying chairs - the Cesca variation of Mart Stam’s iconic S33 cantilever chairs from 1927, with hand-woven cane weave inserts added by Marcel Breuer in 1928.

       
      Picture for blog post Delectable Walls: 5 Ways to Decorate Your Dining Room Walls

      Delectable Walls: 5 Ways to Decorate Your Dining Room Walls

      Friday, November 20, 2020

      Decorating walls can be so much more than a mere matter of the colour of paint you apply or the school of art you subscribe to, beneath it all is a landscape of subtle considerations in terms of theme, material, and arrangement of elements. If you have the wall space to spare, consider these five ways of decorating your dining room walls to achieve effects ranging from eccentric to elegant.

      1. Transposed Landscapes Interior design by: Moonlit Inspiration

      Evoking high-street galleries and art collectives of post-industrial environements, an unframed canvas introduces a contained burst of colour over a briskly white washed cement wall that serves as the background. The rectangular dimensions of the canvas are repeated in the simplistic black frame of a nearby shelving unit, while the bright display lighting and mirrored back panel contribute to the gallery ambiance.


      2. Eclectic Ensemble Interior design by: Viincology

      An arrangement blending imagery evocative of England and times past: a replica of the London Underground’s roundel occupies a prominent position on the nearby wall, the field framed in warm white down-lights while a bench invitingly dotted with throw pillows underscores the arrangement. The adjacent walls host arrays of same-sized, framed motivational prints in the style of vintage advertorial flyers to add a layer of retro vibes to the eccentric décor.


      3. Material Contrast Interior design by: Q1 Interior Concept

      The dining furniture sit at a convergence of contrasting themes: one wall bears framed images of river pebbles in their natural environment, the meditative photo prints seemingly suspended on vinyl cut-outs of birch trees. The characteristically long horizontal lines of birch bark are echoed in with reflective metallic accents lining the adjacent wall of peach-coloured stone.


      4. Cohesive Display Interior Design by: Jashen Interior Design

      A wide field of brown on the adjacent wall adds a dimension to the monochromatic palette of the dining furniture, visually expanding the space by bridging the gap between the dark upholstery and the pale architectural finishes. An unframed abstract painting occupies the central position on the wall, its dimensions sitting neatly within the frame of the banquette arrangement.


      5. Layered Presentation Interior design by: KP Property Design Team

      The glistening and colour-rich décor of this dining room is contrasted by a white wall, marked by grids with wide borders, serving as the backdrop for a monochromatic product of an ink roller and stencil. The abstract rendering and its simplistic background draw the naïve eye with the contradiction of black and white amidst a burst of colour.


      Picture for blog post Bench Warmers: Bench Seating Ideas for the Dining Room

      Bench Warmers: Bench Seating Ideas for the Dining Room

      Friday, November 20, 2020

      The grandeur and pageantry of formal dinners have faded from modern landscapes as much as the detachable starched collar - so has the prevalence of gratuitous dining arrangements in the compact urban homes of our present age. Given the space most of us get to work with, our common dining arrangements have evolved to facilitate more casual meals in the interest of limiting footprints and conserving space: with a bench taking up the same amount of floor space as - if not less than, several dining chairs. If you’ve come across our pointers on how to set up a compact or minimalist dining space, you may be interested in going through the various ways one can assemble casual bench seating or restaurant style banquette arrangements.


       
      Countryside Charm Image source: Sustainable Pals

      A banquette arrangement surrounded by walls in pastel blue and floors decked in wood immediately evokes imagery of countryside skylines. The classical rendering of a dining space from rural environments is reinforced by the decorative trim lining the base of the banquette seating and the intricate motifs sewn into the fabric of the cushions. The accompanying chairs are composed from frames of wood in a shade matching the floor, and a dining table with a single plinth instead of multiple legs is selected - so as not to detract from the ornate decorative features of the banquette’s base.


      Rustic Industrial Image source: Hafoti

      With a bench bearing the same design and composed of the same materials as the dining surface it accompanies, the result is a cohesive arrangement that does more to maintain a sense of space. The pictured arrangement is placed over a simplistic weaved textile rug and furnished by rustic constructions of darkly lacquered wood. The individual pieces of wood are joined in the fashion of traditional carpentry - with both hidden and overt varieties of the common mortise and tenon joints, while the frames are bound by reinforcing bars that are held in tension with industrial coupling attachments of vintage origin.


      Provençal Defined Image source: Geoloqal

      The intermingling of classical and rustic vibes in this dining space is the very definition of Provençal style - with a coffered ceiling and ornate decorative plaster trim on the surrounding whitewashed walls. The furnishings are composed of visibly aged wood and upholstered with simplistic fabrics, with the bench constructed out of the same materials and bearing the same rustic design of the through mortise and tenon joints as seen in the legs of the dining surface. The incorporation of a quintessential stone planter bowl decorated with lion heads, and the pair of cyclopean chandeliers - vintage metal chandeliers encased in metal rings appropriated from wine barrels, further reinforce the Provençal ancestry of the décor.


      Country Light Image source: Dans Design Magz

      The pictured dining arrangement evokes imagery of the European countryside with seat cushions upholstered in a deep blue fabric bearing geometric motifs in white to match the surrounding walls. The accompanying furnishings are deliberately selected for their space-saving designs: Eero Saarinen’s 78-inch diameter Oval seats up to eight diners, while its robust cast-moulded aluminium base minimises the expected clutter of table legs against the scant floor space. The accompanying chairs are the DSW variation of the Eames duo’s moulded polypropylene shell from the 1950s, mounted on the Scandinavian reinterpretation of the iconic Eiffel Tower legs seen in the DSR original. Punctuating this space when lit but camouflaged against the background when not needed, is the lighting fixture known as "PH 4/3" - a Poul Henningsen creation based on his famed Artichoke.


      Understated Sophistication Image source: Listspirit

      A vintage banquette assembly, subtly speaking in minimalist tones of the kind of décor associated with the American Prohibition era, is composed out of velvet capitoné upholstery in drab olive. The shade of the bench cushions is complemented by a regal slab of serpentine marble bearing serene swirls of white against a background of dusky green. The table’s box steel legs of minimalist design are contrasted in monochromatic fashion against the polished tubular steel frames of the accompanying chairs - the Cesca variation of Mart Stam’s iconic S33 cantilever chairs from 1927, with hand-woven cane weave inserts added by Marcel Breuer in 1928.

       
      Picture for blog post How to Create a Dining Area with Limited Space

      How to Create a Dining Area with Limited Space

      Friday, November 20, 2020
      If your living space is on the small side, it can be difficult to carve out a designated spot exclusively for dining. However, it would be even more confining to forego this essential home comfort. No one wants to be forced to eat every meal standing up or with a plate balanced on their laps--and even if they do, it shouldn’t always be the case. Shared family meals are an important ingredient in a healthy lifestyle, even when the family consists of just two people or one person simply having guests over from time to time. Here are some ideas on how to create a cozy dining area when space is at a premium: Make the area serve double duty There's no reason why the dining nook can't also be a work space, a prep table, a gaming surface, or all the above. Just be sure to clear away anything that isn't dining-related when it's time for dinner – it doesn't count if the laptop is still balanced on the edge of the table. Choose furniture wisely Obviously, a dining table that seats six (complete with wing-back chairs) is out of the question, but there are plenty of other attractive options out there for those with limited space. To name just a few:
      • Low, narrow trestle tables
      • Benches or banquettes (some of these will even have additional storage underneath, providing more bang for your buck)
      • Round, bistro-style tables (even ones that are meant for patio use can work well in a small space)
      • Stools that fit easily underneath whichever table you choose
      • Folding tables and chairs that can be stored elsewhere when the meal is over
      Paint in light colors Neutrals and light pastels will help to "air out" more cramped areas even if the rest of the room is painted in a darker shade. A light accent wall could be just the ticket. If the furniture can be painted as well, choose either the same color or a complementary hue to round out the look. Opt for shelves instead of cupboards In small kitchens, shelves can be a dream come true--they open the flow of the room and provide storage for just about anything the homemaker can think of. If a renovation on this scale isn't in the cards, simply removing a few of the cupboard doors will work wonders. Think mirrors The dining nook is the perfect place for that extra mirror you weren't sure what to do with, as the reflection will provide the illusion of more space. If you don't have one to spare, invest in an inexpensive one that will suit your tastes. Use the shape of the room to your advantage For long, narrow spaces, choose a table with a corresponding shape and benches that will fit easily underneath. If the dining area is to take up a corner of the room, shake up the geometry with a round table and a banquette that fits against the wall. The idea is for the pieces to look like they belong without sacrificing style and function. Don't forget the tape measure Know the dimensions of the space you're looking to fill and bring the measuring tape along on any shopping expeditions. It wouldn't do to purchase what appears to be the perfect piece only to come home and realize it doesn't fit in the spot it was meant to go. Small spaces don't have to be confined spaces, nor does one need to be overly skilled in interior design to create a dining area that serves its vital purpose. Armed with a good sense of the room's visual flow, its dimensions and measurements, and these guidelines, anyone can create a quaint place to dine in a cozy space! Olivia Warfield is a contributing writer and media relations specialist for Port Orchard Roofing. She writes for a variety of DIY and lifestyle blogs.
      Picture for blog post Delectable Walls: 5 Ways to Decorate Your Dining Room Walls

      Delectable Walls: 5 Ways to Decorate Your Dining Room Walls

      Friday, November 20, 2020

      Decorating walls can be so much more than a mere matter of the colour of paint you apply or the school of art you subscribe to, beneath it all is a landscape of subtle considerations in terms of theme, material, and arrangement of elements. If you have the wall space to spare, consider these five ways of decorating your dining room walls to achieve effects ranging from eccentric to elegant.

      1. Transposed Landscapes Interior design by: Moonlit Inspiration

      Evoking high-street galleries and art collectives of post-industrial environements, an unframed canvas introduces a contained burst of colour over a briskly white washed cement wall that serves as the background. The rectangular dimensions of the canvas are repeated in the simplistic black frame of a nearby shelving unit, while the bright display lighting and mirrored back panel contribute to the gallery ambiance.


      2. Eclectic Ensemble Interior design by: Viincology

      An arrangement blending imagery evocative of England and times past: a replica of the London Underground’s roundel occupies a prominent position on the nearby wall, the field framed in warm white down-lights while a bench invitingly dotted with throw pillows underscores the arrangement. The adjacent walls host arrays of same-sized, framed motivational prints in the style of vintage advertorial flyers to add a layer of retro vibes to the eccentric décor.


      3. Material Contrast Interior design by: Q1 Interior Concept

      The dining furniture sit at a convergence of contrasting themes: one wall bears framed images of river pebbles in their natural environment, the meditative photo prints seemingly suspended on vinyl cut-outs of birch trees. The characteristically long horizontal lines of birch bark are echoed in with reflective metallic accents lining the adjacent wall of peach-coloured stone.


      4. Cohesive Display Interior Design by: Jashen Interior Design

      A wide field of brown on the adjacent wall adds a dimension to the monochromatic palette of the dining furniture, visually expanding the space by bridging the gap between the dark upholstery and the pale architectural finishes. An unframed abstract painting occupies the central position on the wall, its dimensions sitting neatly within the frame of the banquette arrangement.


      5. Layered Presentation Interior design by: KP Property Design Team

      The glistening and colour-rich décor of this dining room is contrasted by a white wall, marked by grids with wide borders, serving as the backdrop for a monochromatic product of an ink roller and stencil. The abstract rendering and its simplistic background draw the naïve eye with the contradiction of black and white amidst a burst of colour.


      Picture for blog post How to Create a Dining Area with Limited Space

      How to Create a Dining Area with Limited Space

      Friday, November 20, 2020
      If your living space is on the small side, it can be difficult to carve out a designated spot exclusively for dining. However, it would be even more confining to forego this essential home comfort. No one wants to be forced to eat every meal standing up or with a plate balanced on their laps--and even if they do, it shouldn’t always be the case. Shared family meals are an important ingredient in a healthy lifestyle, even when the family consists of just two people or one person simply having guests over from time to time. Here are some ideas on how to create a cozy dining area when space is at a premium: Make the area serve double duty There's no reason why the dining nook can't also be a work space, a prep table, a gaming surface, or all the above. Just be sure to clear away anything that isn't dining-related when it's time for dinner – it doesn't count if the laptop is still balanced on the edge of the table. Choose furniture wisely Obviously, a dining table that seats six (complete with wing-back chairs) is out of the question, but there are plenty of other attractive options out there for those with limited space. To name just a few:
      • Low, narrow trestle tables
      • Benches or banquettes (some of these will even have additional storage underneath, providing more bang for your buck)
      • Round, bistro-style tables (even ones that are meant for patio use can work well in a small space)
      • Stools that fit easily underneath whichever table you choose
      • Folding tables and chairs that can be stored elsewhere when the meal is over
      Paint in light colors Neutrals and light pastels will help to "air out" more cramped areas even if the rest of the room is painted in a darker shade. A light accent wall could be just the ticket. If the furniture can be painted as well, choose either the same color or a complementary hue to round out the look. Opt for shelves instead of cupboards In small kitchens, shelves can be a dream come true--they open the flow of the room and provide storage for just about anything the homemaker can think of. If a renovation on this scale isn't in the cards, simply removing a few of the cupboard doors will work wonders. Think mirrors The dining nook is the perfect place for that extra mirror you weren't sure what to do with, as the reflection will provide the illusion of more space. If you don't have one to spare, invest in an inexpensive one that will suit your tastes. Use the shape of the room to your advantage For long, narrow spaces, choose a table with a corresponding shape and benches that will fit easily underneath. If the dining area is to take up a corner of the room, shake up the geometry with a round table and a banquette that fits against the wall. The idea is for the pieces to look like they belong without sacrificing style and function. Don't forget the tape measure Know the dimensions of the space you're looking to fill and bring the measuring tape along on any shopping expeditions. It wouldn't do to purchase what appears to be the perfect piece only to come home and realize it doesn't fit in the spot it was meant to go. Small spaces don't have to be confined spaces, nor does one need to be overly skilled in interior design to create a dining area that serves its vital purpose. Armed with a good sense of the room's visual flow, its dimensions and measurements, and these guidelines, anyone can create a quaint place to dine in a cozy space! Olivia Warfield is a contributing writer and media relations specialist for Port Orchard Roofing. She writes for a variety of DIY and lifestyle blogs.
      Picture for blog post How to Select the Best Dining Table for Your Dining Room

      How to Select the Best Dining Table for Your Dining Room

      Friday, November 20, 2020

      The dining table is most often the central feature of dining spaces, contributing the most towards the décor by virtue of their size - which makes their selection all the more crucial.

      The dining room is probably the one part of a home that sees the most people at any time - and whether people are just passing through or sitting down for meals, the table will have an impact on how diners perceive the space, the home, and the homeowner. As the selection of dining room furniture will likely be an event that does not occur very often, we wanted you to be as informed as possible before you set out on your journey towards your new dining table.


      Material
      Interior design by: Viincology

      The kind of material that your dining table is made out of will have an effect on its lifespan and its appearance. Long-lasting materials such as hardwoods, metals, tempered glass, stone, and even mould-injected plastics are preferred for dining tables that are expected to endure many years of heavy use. Conversely, lightweight or flat-pack furniture composed of veneered wood composites such as plywood or fibreboard are made with mobility and affordability in mind, these materials are preferred for short-term arrangements by virtue of their being easier to pack and transport by design.

      Interior design by: Viincology

      Lightweight composite materials such as plywood or fibreboard are known to be significantly less durable, as they show a tendency to warp when subjected to excessive moisture or heat. Tougher natural materials such as hardwoods and stone tend to be porous, which entail regular maintenance with coats of varnish or sealer to prevent unintended staining from everyday use.

      Interior design by: SNG Conceptwerke

      Due to their being porous and softer than metal, wooden surfaces entail a greater degree of care to ensure their longevity. Oil-based varnishes should be applied to wooden surfaces at the point of manufacture - and periodically afterwards to prevent unintentional staining. Despite the higher level of maintenance required, metal furnishings tend to rust - especially when used outdoors, while wooden furnishings take on a characteristic smoothness and polished sheen as they age.


      Size
      Interior design by: Hoe & Yin Design Studio

      Having too large a table surface will result in a cramped dining space, while restricting diners to a small surface leads to elbows bumping in uncomfortably close quarters. It is the recommendation of most decorators to provide each diner with around 60 to 70 centimetres (or 24 to 28 inches) of space for adequate elbow room, and around 90 centimetres to 1.3 meters (or 36 to 50 inches) between a dining table and the surrounding walls for diners to comfortably get in and out of their seats.


      Shape
      Interior design by: IDS Interior Design

      The shape of your dining table will determine the number of diners you can host and will affect the space it occupies. While round tables are capable of accommodating a greater number of diners, they tend to appear larger in small dining spaces - the conventional rectangular dining table takes up the most space, needing long and narrow spaces to avoid appearing overly large.

      Interior design by: IDS Interior Design

      To calculate the number of diners appropriate for a round table: multiply the diameter of a table by the value of Pi (π: 3.14) and divide the result by the amount of space needed for each diner. Using the previously mentioned minimum of 60 centimetres (or 24 inches) of space needed per diner, a round table with a diameter of 1.5 meters can easily accommodate 7 diners, or up to 8 diners with a negligible reduction in elbow room - while a rectangular table of similar size (at 1.5 meters long) can only seat a total of 6 diners – one at each end and two along each length.

      Picture for blog post Creating a Well-Composed Dining Room

      Creating a Well-Composed Dining Room

      Friday, November 20, 2020

      Whether you have a large formal dining hall or a small area for daily mealtimes next to the living room, here’s how to put together different interior features to ensure your dining room looks and feels good from every angle.

      Interior design by: The Roof Studio

      Whether you’re hosting a family dinner or just getting together for a weeknight meal, the dining room is where people come together. From modern to classic, there are many ways to turn this room into a cosy space that is perfect for entertaining your guest in comfort and style. Gone are the days when you need to have matching tables and chairs at your dining table. The trend is to go for features that complement each other. If you are going for a modern look, aim for furniture that has clean lines and sturdy material. Also, make good use of tableware to pull it all together.


      Palette Play

      It's easier to create a well-designed dining room when you have a strong starting point to guide you - this is where having a colour palette in mind can really help you focus on the elements you can use. If you love a certain colour and have a particular hue in mind for your dining room, start with this colour.

      Interior design by: The Roof Studio

      For example, yellows are a great way to create a bright and vibrant dining space. Start with light yellow for the walls, then add on bolder shades of complementary tones like blues. However if you are not confident about using bold colours, go for a neutral and monochrome palette, like the dining room pictured here.


      Accent Pieces

      Don't just stop at tables and chairs in the dining room. If you have space, accent furniture like a console or an armoire can work wonders to help create a focal point and enhance those blank walls that envelope your dining area. However, choose something that blends with your dining table.

      Interior design by: Chaplins Furniture

      In this dining room, a bright blue console works beautifully to bring attention to the table. The decorative accessories and mirror above the console add a lively look to the atmosphere. The bold pendant lamps are also just the perfect features to balance off the the space.


      Material Maneuver
      Interior design by: Mode Interior Style

      Mixing and matching different materials in the dining room can offer a dramatic yet personalised effect to your space. Balance is key, as you don't want a single material to overwhelm the rest. Also offset hard and sturdy surfaces with soft furnishing to give your space a sense of cosy warmth.

      Interior design by: Mode Interior Style

      In this dining room, there is a bold variety of materials ranging from solid wood and faux grass to brick-like finishes on the opposite wall. The addition of the marble-like feature wall balances off the dark-coloured surfaces. The use of wood flooring just around the dining space also helps to demarcate the space clearly.


      Vibrant Variety

      Another way to mix materials is through a variety of different seating and surfaces. Mix-and-match seating works well when each chair or bench is of a similar style and shape. Also think about what you use as centrepieces on your dining table.

      Wood and ratan are making a huge comeback in the dining room, but those from the lighter range are preferred. Go for a Zen effect but break from the monotony with stronger tones and textures. Interior design by: iDecorate

      In this warm and neutral dining room, the woven rattan chairs bring a sense of similarity to the entire set, but if you look closely, every single piece is individual in style. To further enhance the room, a tableware set with a similar look and feel is used.


      Trendy Tableware
      Interior design by: iDecorate

      Finally, complete your dining room with beautiful tableware to bring everything together. When it comes to choosing a dinnerware set, the choice is usually a matter of personal taste. It’s a necessity for any table, but it also sets the mood for a meal. For example, formal china can make a momentous occasion feel even more special, while basic stoneware is a good match for a low-fuss weeknight dinner.

      Colour coordinate your tableware by having a neutral backdrop and then enhancing it with bolder tones through colourful plates, bowls, and mug. Interior design by: Dunelm

      In the example here, a white dinner set complemented by green accents bring out a nature-inspired theme that enhances the wood dining table. To add texture, fabric placemats tone down the hard surfaces and introduce a lush quality to the space.

      Interior design by: Dunelm
      Article by: Lily Wong
      Picture for blog post Refined Dining: 8 Dining Room Design Ideas for Small Spaces

      Refined Dining: 8 Dining Room Design Ideas for Small Spaces

      Friday, November 20, 2020

      Space is valuable, but that won't stop some of us filling out our small spaces - and we've all probably experienced regret at one point or another when over-estimating shapes and sizes. To help you plan your ideal dining setting to serve your needs without cramping your style, we gathered the best design ideas for compact dining spaces here.

      1 Against the Wall Probably the first thing you would try with an existing dining set in your small space is to push the table up against a wall. You would be gaining additional space with the sacrifice of seating at one of the heads of the table, but when making do with a small area one must be willing to give up certain formalities in favour of comfortable passageways.

      A dining set in this arrangement also serves as a form of separation between spaces. Designer: Surface R

      2 Bench Seating If setting your dining table against the wall doesn't free up the kind of space you imagined, consider forgoing formality entirely by replacing some or all of your dining chairs with benches instead. Benches make for a more casual setting and do not require as much space as individual dining chairs, however some sideways shimmying and impromptu leg raises would be needed to get diners to slide in and out of position at the table.

      What this arrangement lacks in formality, it more than makes up for in the extra width of the passageway. Designer: Surface R

      3 Restaurant-Style Banquette Seating Instead of setting the short edge of your dining table against the wall, conserve more space by aligning the long edge with a wall or divider and exchanging some dining chairs on the narrower side for a bench. Without the need for additional space for pulling out chairs, this arrangement occupies even less space and can be located in shared spaces such as a dry kitchen or an open layout living space to create a dining nook.

      An intimate space is formed out of a square dining table, a pair of armless dining chairs, and a customised bench occupying the corner. Designer: M Innovative Builders   A variation of the dining nook is held in the centre of this open layout, with a bench formed out of a projection from the dividing wall. Designer: Jashen Interior Design

      4 Conjoined Surfaces In our previous study of kitchen islands, we observed how joining dining tables to kitchen islands can expand your hosting capabilities, and combining them into a Teppanyaki-style setting can save space. If you have a kitchen island, consider having dining and kitchen share surfaces, or join them together to make the most of your small space.

      Combine the dry kitchen with the dining space by joining a table with your island. Designer: Nu Infinity  

      5 Narrow Dining Tables If central placement and more formal settings are required of your dining experience, consider selecting a narrow dining table. As we discovered in our guide on choosing dining tables, surfaces shaped as skinny rectangles are most visually appealing in long and narrow spaces.

      The use of a long and narrow surface in this dining area conserves the sense of space. Designer: Nice-Style Refurbishment

      6 Round Dining Tables As we've pointed out before, circular dining surfaces are a more economical shape when hosting six or more diners with adequate elbow room - any less than that and a round table may seem overly large and imposing in tight quarters. If you forsee only small gatherings at dinners, stick with square tables instead - or sacrifice the extra elbow room for a small pedestal table.

      A dining surface of any other shape and hosting the same number of seats would not be  aesthetically pleasing, if it is at all possible, in a tight corner such as this. Designer: Mode Interior Style   A smaller round table is a viable solution for tight spaces, albeit with fewer seats and the sacrifice of ample elbow room. Designer: Bazarbayu

      7 Unifying Style The decorative approaches that seem to work best in tight quarters - minimalist designs and monochromatic or pale shades should be applied in a cohesive manner to tie distinct spaces together. Especially in open layouts, individual areas will seem less imposing with only the most sutble of distinctions existing between living and dining spaces.

      The minimalist style and monochromatic palette extends beyond the dining space, ensuring that it is subtly integrated with the rest of the home. Designer: The Roof

      8 Transluscent Furniture Instead of falling back on designs in minimalist style, a monochromatic palette, or even pastel shades to make your dining room seem more spacious, consider seeking out transluscent furniture to pair with the reflective finishes of a modern or glam décor. The completely see-through furnishings will help to maintain an illusion of space when combined with wide windows or ample lighting.

      The presence of this dining table is obscured by its transparent form letting light pass through it, rendering the lower half almost invisible. Designer: GDY Design & Construction   These dining chairs are nearly imperceptible, having been formed out of clear plastic and presented under direct light. Designer: Archicentre Read about putting together some delectable centerpiece arrangements on your dining table here.
      Picture for blog post How to Select the Best Dining Table for Your Dining Room

      How to Select the Best Dining Table for Your Dining Room

      Friday, November 20, 2020

      The dining table is most often the central feature of dining spaces, contributing the most towards the décor by virtue of their size - which makes their selection all the more crucial.

      The dining room is probably the one part of a home that sees the most people at any time - and whether people are just passing through or sitting down for meals, the table will have an impact on how diners perceive the space, the home, and the homeowner. As the selection of dining room furniture will likely be an event that does not occur very often, we wanted you to be as informed as possible before you set out on your journey towards your new dining table.


      Material
      Interior design by: Viincology

      The kind of material that your dining table is made out of will have an effect on its lifespan and its appearance. Long-lasting materials such as hardwoods, metals, tempered glass, stone, and even mould-injected plastics are preferred for dining tables that are expected to endure many years of heavy use. Conversely, lightweight or flat-pack furniture composed of veneered wood composites such as plywood or fibreboard are made with mobility and affordability in mind, these materials are preferred for short-term arrangements by virtue of their being easier to pack and transport by design.

      Interior design by: Viincology

      Lightweight composite materials such as plywood or fibreboard are known to be significantly less durable, as they show a tendency to warp when subjected to excessive moisture or heat. Tougher natural materials such as hardwoods and stone tend to be porous, which entail regular maintenance with coats of varnish or sealer to prevent unintended staining from everyday use.

      Interior design by: SNG Conceptwerke

      Due to their being porous and softer than metal, wooden surfaces entail a greater degree of care to ensure their longevity. Oil-based varnishes should be applied to wooden surfaces at the point of manufacture - and periodically afterwards to prevent unintentional staining. Despite the higher level of maintenance required, metal furnishings tend to rust - especially when used outdoors, while wooden furnishings take on a characteristic smoothness and polished sheen as they age.


      Size
      Interior design by: Hoe & Yin Design Studio

      Having too large a table surface will result in a cramped dining space, while restricting diners to a small surface leads to elbows bumping in uncomfortably close quarters. It is the recommendation of most decorators to provide each diner with around 60 to 70 centimetres (or 24 to 28 inches) of space for adequate elbow room, and around 90 centimetres to 1.3 meters (or 36 to 50 inches) between a dining table and the surrounding walls for diners to comfortably get in and out of their seats.


      Shape
      Interior design by: IDS Interior Design

      The shape of your dining table will determine the number of diners you can host and will affect the space it occupies. While round tables are capable of accommodating a greater number of diners, they tend to appear larger in small dining spaces - the conventional rectangular dining table takes up the most space, needing long and narrow spaces to avoid appearing overly large.

      Interior design by: IDS Interior Design

      To calculate the number of diners appropriate for a round table: multiply the diameter of a table by the value of Pi (π: 3.14) and divide the result by the amount of space needed for each diner. Using the previously mentioned minimum of 60 centimetres (or 24 inches) of space needed per diner, a round table with a diameter of 1.5 meters can easily accommodate 7 diners, or up to 8 diners with a negligible reduction in elbow room - while a rectangular table of similar size (at 1.5 meters long) can only seat a total of 6 diners – one at each end and two along each length.

      back to top
      Filters