Dining Room Design Tips
Every design firm has a standard to their practice, to their designs… here’s a few of ours!
1. Lighting
If you’ve been here before, or follow us on instagram, then you know we are very opinionated on lighting. It must be dimmable. It must be layered. If you haven’t been here before, welcome! We have a whole journal dedicated to layered lighting, so for now… layered lighting is the idea that you have light sourced from all different heights/locations. For example, ceiling pendant, wall sconces, table lamps, and floor lamps. Lighting has a big impact on the ambiance of the space and your dining room is not the place you want to cheat your layered lighting.
2. Pack a Punch
While I am a big fan of wallpaper and contrast paint in a dining room, this is not a one size fits all design solution. If you have a dedicated dining room, wallpaper + painting trim and/or ceilings are a must. If you have an open concept space it’s hard to create a stark divide as if its not open concept. Instead, lean into consistency with the walls + ceiling finishes, and focus on bringing in different textures and larger scaled prints to give is some contrast while keeping a cohesive overall look.
3. Low Pile Rug
You’re probably thinking why? Have you ever had a super heavy chair on a high pile rug, and get stuck trying to get up. Thats why. Having a low pile rug makes it easy to glide chairs in and out, and its easier to clean any food that spills. win win!
4. Conversation St(art)er
See what I did there? Have fun with the art in the space, feel free to take risks! Good design makes people feel something, and thats a great conversation starter for a dinner party. It can reflect your travels, your spunky personality, anything that evokes an emotion is a win!
5. Comfortable Seating
Comfortable, but not so comfortable your guests never leave. hah! Formal dining rooms should have arms and/or upholstered seating. If the space is open concept or more of a dining nook, you can keep it more informal with a parsons chair or cane seating.
