Category: dining room

It’s a known fact that Britain is currently the land of the ever-shrinking home. It’s a reality many of us face every day and one which is particularly frustrating when it comes to redecorating. But fear not! Retailers are now fully aware that people are looking are looking for nifty, space saving options when it comes to reclaimed wood furniture so there are plenty of ways you can make the most of a small dining space. Here are a few of our favourite ways to do it!

First things first – the dining table. The absolute best thing you can do for a small dining space is to invest your pennies in an extendable dining table and chairs. The Standford Industrial Reclaimed Wood Extending Dining Table is a truly superb 4 seat extending dining table. The great thing about this table is the mechanism to extend the table sits neatly inside the table, so cannot be seen unless in use. The chunky metal base and the gorgeous tones of the wooden top look great in any space, and the rustic table would look wonderful in the centre of a small dining space, or pushed against the wall.

But, if you really can’t find what you are looking for, a bespoke dining table might also be a great option for you!

Your dining chairs are also something you might want to think about. Look for a slim frame in a lighter colour to keep your space feeling brighter and more spacious. Alternatively, you could opt for a rustic dining bench. These are a fantastic, flexible seating option for modern homes, not least because they tuck right underneath the table, making the most of the space surrounding your dining table when not in use.

Finding a way to define your dining space is really important when it comes to open plan living. Whether you have a kitchen/diner or a living room/dining room, defining the two areas tends to make us rethink how we use our rooms, and consequently, how we could better use the space!

Another bonus to defining your space is it gives you a great way to add a fun splash of colour. A statement wall was a trend that dominated home decor for several years, and it is still a great way to add interest to a space which won’t take up any space at all. Ensure you don’t opt for a colour which is too dark which will close up your space and make it feel smaller, and you’ll be onto a real winner.

A large rug to mark the area is also a great option. Our Louis de Poortere rugs come in various sizes so you’ll be able to find one which works for your space and the clean, contemporary styles in the mad men rugs really suit spaces which are in need of decor to create the illusion of more space.

There are plenty of other options too – hanging a pendant light directly above the your dining table will create a sense of drama and also add some much-needed light or opting for a dining bench with a high back will create a real presence and a slight divide without taking up too much space.

Have you got any tips on how to maximise a small dining space?

Renovating your home is a great way of placing your own stamp on things. In this post, we cover making a perfect dining room for you and your family. But what do you need to consider?

The Budget

We can’t start anywhere else other than with budget because this is the factor that dictates what you can achieve at this point. On one hand, your budget may stretch to a perfectly acceptable renovation of the décor including dining room furniture or it may extend to knowing down walls, new windows and the like.

The knack is not to overstretch your budget, achieving changes that work for you but doing it a way that spells a quality finish.

Plan it

There will be hiccups when you renovate the dining room or kitchen/diner so it’s important that you plan the project and have a method or schedule which you follow.

A bit like project managing, you need to have an overview of everything from a tight hold of the budget to making sure you have the right tradespeople on site, at the time you need them. There are materials to order as well as dining room furniture including the must-have reclaimed wood dining table with upholstered dining chairs!

Get the space right

Before you start buying rugs and other essential pieces, you need to get the dining room space right. This means making the best use of the space available from adding an L-shaped kitchen diner to a larger open plan kitchen. Or you may be renovating a formal dining room.

Don’t forget large spaces need zoning so don’t assume that just because you have an open plan kitchen with dining room that a table alone will denote the change in use of the space.

A great ‘divider’ is a rug. Perfect for zoning the eating area, a large rug under the extendable dining table with chairs and a dining bench works wonders for creating order in an open space.

Other pieces of furniture that help to zone a space are shelving unit – try open, industrial shelving units as room ‘markers’, for example – and a rustic sideboard. A reclaimed wood sideboard is perfect for hiding away dining paraphernalia as well.

Add as much light as possible

This is a two-fold exercise;

• Firstly, maximise natural light – if your budget stretches to it, consider making windows larger, such as patio doors out onto the garden if that is possible.
• Secondly, pay close attention to ambient light – from floor lamps to table lamps, to hanging pendant and statement features, ambient light creates the backdrop you need for both function and cosiness to a room.

The flooring options

Before you start selecting wall colour, you need to make sure you have the major components in place in the dining room.

With light maximised, functional and responsive, you need to make sure the flooring in the dining room is perfect for what you need too because this is something not easily changed (but dining room rugs are!).

And then, wall colour…

With everything in place, you can add the wall colour and start to put your new dining room sets in place too!

A large room is a gift when it comes to décor and style, as well as choice of furniture. Without space constraints, you can really add the touches that you want.

But just as it is a great space to dress, it can be difficult to get right. And so, if you are entertaining with dinner parties and want to make a statement with your large dining room, we have some amazing ideas.

THE dining table

If there is one thing we love about a large space it is the statement you can make with furniture, and when it is the dining room, the grander the dining table, the better.

As you know, we have many options but make a statement with not just size but style too with the Hoxton farmhouse dining table. Pair with velvet or leather dining chairs – both comfortable and beautiful – and you’ll have a tempting table to invite your guests to.

Generous with both its dimensions and style, this is a beautiful piece as is the Kensington dining table. For an idea of how it can looking a large, bright and airy kitchen diner, take a look at how a customer, Sarah Jane of Just a Little Build, has styled her Luxe Kensington dining table.

If you do entertain often, you’ll want plenty of versatility when it comes to space. Many of our already-large tables are extending dining tables, perfect for when you need a 12 seat dining table occasionally…. An extending dining table to seat 12 doesn’t have to mean your dining room is taken up by table when you’re not actually seating the full 12.

Go bespoke

When it comes to the dining table, we find that for the larger space, a bespoke dining table and bench or upholstered dining chairs are great investment pieces.

You make a double statement with both the bespoke dimensions of the table and dining bench but also by maintaining the style you love.

The dining room rug

If you have opted for hard flooring, you will find that a flat weave rug will add a different texture that helps to lift and frame the room, something that is important in a larger room.

Err on the side of a larger rug, and again, be bold with colour and pattern. We find that starting with the rug before wall colour is much easier when it comes to symmetry and cohesion.

Colour & pattern

In essence, you have no worries about the large dining room being too dark or closed in by pattern. In fact, you have the opposite concern – not enough pattern and it feels bland, and too light a colour and it can feel cold.

Choose a luxurious wallpaper for a feature wall, creating complementing wall colour on the remaining walls. Or why not be very daring and create a statement with the wallpaper or vibrant colour throughout?

If you prefer neutral walls, make a bold statement with wall art, something that can be changed as the seasons roll on by…

… Work with the seasons too

From the bright natural light and warmth of summer to the golden hues of autumn and the twinkling lights of the festive season, add seasonal ‘adjustments’ to your dining room to give it a little extra zing. A bowl of autumn fruits on the sideboard cabinet can work wonders to create an atmosphere.

The statement dining room ceiling light

Whether you opt for a traditional droplet chandelier or an uber-modern, industrial-styled hanging pendant, you can afford to make a huge statement with the main light in the larger dining room.

Position your beautiful bespoke dining table beneath and watch your dining table sparkle the next time you host a dinner party.