Eating together is a great way for your family to take some time out from your busy lives and connect with each other. But how do you create a space that works well for family dinners? We take a look at some design tips for creating a family dining room that brings everyone together.
Consider how you want to use the space
As well as bringing the family together, your dining room often also needs to be a practical and versatile area in your home.
Consider whether you’re going to be using the dining room just to eat in, or whether it also needs to be a space that kids can do their homework at or maybe even where you work from home. If you’re living in a smaller property or you have an open plan kitchen dining room, think about the best way to use the space. You need to make it easy to move between your kitchen and dining room areas so that you do actually use it.
Choose your style
Think about the style and feel you want for your dining room. If you want to encourage your family to sit down together for dinner then you’ll want it to feel inviting and relaxed. Choose a bright color scheme to create a warm atmosphere.
Your dining room should be somewhere that you and your kids feel comfortable, while also fitting in with the rest of your home. If it feels too formal then you might end up only using it for special occasions.
Picking the right dining table
Your dining table is going to be one of the most important pieces of dining room furniture, so spend some time choosing the right one.
You want to make the most out of the space, so if you’ve got a large dining room and a big family then you’ll want a dining table that you can all sit around. But if your family is smaller then you don’t want to be sat too far away from each other.
For smaller spaces or open-plan kitchen dining rooms, you might want to pick an extendable dining table. This way you have plenty of room to move about when you’re not eating, but you can still get everyone to sit down together for dinner.
It’s also important to choose a dining table that’s easy to clean and hard-wearing so that you don’t have to worry about spills and stains.
Choosing your dining chairs
The other important thing is picking the right dining chairs. You want them to be comfortable and practical. Consider mixing and matching your chairs if you want a more informal dining space, and it can also make it easier to replace one if it gets a bit worn or damaged.
If you’re trying to fit a lot of people around your dining table, consider a bench for seating on one side, so that it’s easier to squeeze an extra person on. If not everyone’s there all the time or you want extra seating for guests then pick out a few folding chairs as well. Choose the right seating so that your dining area can be flexible and suit your needs.
Add some personality
Adding some personal finishing touches will make your dining room feel like a space for the whole family. Get your kids involved when choosing things like a centerpiece, table cloths, and place settings, or even some prints for the walls to add some color to your dining room. By letting them have a say in how you decorate your dining room it’ll help make it a space that they enjoy.
Overall, you need to think about the practicality and functional aspects of your dining room while adding in your own personal touches. Follow these tips and you’ll create the ideal family dining room where everyone can sit together and enjoy a healthy meal.
