Designing your space: the dining room

It is the heart of the home, sometimes combined with the kitchen, sometimes with the living room; most of us eat our meals there, from lunch to dinner. We sometimes work there too. We invite, we entertain, we play, we create, we sometimes talk for hours on end. It is a living space that holds so many things.

Let’s start with the table: so many variations depending on our wishes, the space available and our needs. You can sometimes do without an armchair, but a table is another matter. We do so many things at it.

In a more open space, the dining table will sit as an extension of the kitchen; it can even serve as a kitchen island, a worktop or even a bar, depending on the occasion. For those who genuinely have a room set aside for it, the table will be the centrepiece of the space.

The first question to ask yourself:

–The number of people! Do you often have guests, are there many of you, do you already have an eating area in your kitchen so that your dining room is used only on rare occasions – or, on the contrary, is this table multi-functional and in use all day long, from breakfast to a home-office meeting to a glass of wine with friends at aperitif time!

–The shape: square, which doesn’t take up too much space but can be extended; round, always practical and organic, as it lets just two or several people sit together without table legs getting in the way; oval, for more space and to avoid sharp corners; rectangular, for larger rooms, as a substantial central family table. And for the boldest, you can even imagine tabletops in more organic shapes, set on different legs or on trestles!

–The material: once again, ask yourself about your lifestyle habits. Glass, yes, but more delicate; metal, yes, but cold; marble, very beautiful but more demanding to maintain; wood, always a safe bet – but which one?; laminate is cheaper, but beware of scratches. In short, you have the choice! A beautiful tablecloth or a table runner, changed from time to time, can also help extend the life of your table and add an extra decorative touch to your interior according to the seasons and/or your moods.

–The position: central? Against the bar? Near the wall? In any case, when you think about where to put your table, think about the seating as well. In tighter spaces, favour a bench that slides under the table and takes up less room. Chairs with armrests are best placed at the ends of the table. You can also mix different kinds of seating!

–The lighting: I would say direct AND indirect, obviously! Direct lighting that isn’t too strong, preferably above eye level so as not to dazzle you while still showing off the tabletop beautifully, and then one or two indirect lights to give your room some atmosphere. Don’t hesitate to add a few candles and a bouquet of flowers, again to be changed as the mood takes you!

–The colours: in a dining room, anything goes! But don’t forget that it is a lively, joyful space. We live there a great deal, we don’t sleep there (normally), but many emotions mingle and coexist there, so it is important to have a space open to this bubbling of life! A colourful tablecloth, an unusual vase, mismatched chairs, second-hand plates, a large jug filled with water with several glasses on a tray, a large mirror on the wall or a pretty frame.