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How to style chairs with your industrial dining table

Industrial dining table with faux leather dining bench

Photo: Rocco Spider Leg Dining Table with Lansford Dining Chairs

The dining table in your dining space really has to be the star and an industrial style dining table with its mix of reclaimed wood and cool steel or dark metal is a timeless and stand-out choice that fits in all styles of homes. But it’s all well and good having a striking industrial dining table, but what seating should you choose to put around it?

First and foremost you have to look at the space available in your dining room – if the space is small, imposing dining chairs will make it look cluttered. Ideally, you need a minimum of one metre around your table to place chairs and allow people to move freely. It’s also worth considering if the dining chairs can fully tuck under the table when not in use to maximise the space, as well as allowing space for a wooden sideboard and other dining space storage.

Industrial is an unpretentious and laid-back style that places function ahead of aesthetics and there are lots of different styles of dining chairs to pick from. Let’s look at what type fits this timeless table best…

Keep it industrial with faux leather dining chairs with metal legs

Photo: Cleo Faux Leather Dining Chairs with Rocco Industrial Rustic Oak Dining Table

This option keeps the industrial theme going, but you can choose from a whole range of seat styles depending on your own personal preference and the size of the room. From an elegant thin metal leg to a more chunky industrial dining chair, with or without armrests. A bonus is that faux leather is vegan-friendly and the quality is so good today it is hard to distinguish them from a real leather dining chair…..apart from the cost, of course! Another huge plus with faux leather chairs is that they are wipe clean – perfect for wiping off any spillages or of course, little sticky fingerprints.

Room for everyone with dining benches

Photo: Cleo Grey Faux Leather Corner Dining Bench and Low Dining Bench with Standford Industrial Dining Table.

Dining benches have come a long way since the medieval days! They are as popular in traditional farmhouse style kitchens as they are in elegant and sleek dining rooms. A reclaimed wood dining bench with industrial legs will always be a perfect match for an industrial dining table, add a cushion or two and a small throw and it will look like something straight out of a designer magazine. If you choose a dining bench with no back it will also make your dining area appear bigger as there is no back of the chairs breaking the space up. As mentioned above they are also a great way to squeeze a few extra guests around the table.

A faux leather dining bench is also a good option, especially if you need people to squeeze up a bit from time to time, to make an extra bit of room around the table.

Add some soft velvet contrast to the industrial look

Photo: Knightsbridge Velvet Dining Chairs with Knightbridge Industrial Dining Table

Industrial style does not have to be solely about thick black chunky legs, it can also be an elegant take on this loft-living interior style. Pair sumptuously upholstered dining chairs with a polished metal or slim coated steel to your industrial or reclaimed wood dining table to glam up your dining space and add a softening contrast. A velvet dining chair in a rich colour will brighten the space, such as blue, green or even yellow. If you prefer something more classic stick to neutrals hues, such as cream, taupe or a soft grey. And of course, always think about who will be sitting on the chairs before making a purchase. Fabric chairs may not be the best choice if you have young children with permanently sticky fingers, but if you enjoy hosting dinner parties with friends and like to linger around the table into the early hours, an upholstered chair would be a very comfortable choice. If you’re worried about how to look after your upholstered dining chairs think about the colour and texture and what works best in your home.

If you enjoyed reading this, check out more of our Ideas & Inspirations or come and be social with us @modishliving.

Quick and easy ways to refresh your rustic dining table

wooden dining table and wooden dining bench

The beauty of a rustic and reclaimed wood dining table is that it is a timeless piece that never dates, and will last a lifetime! We look at how you can refresh your space and move with the times, whilst keeping the same favourite rustic dining table.

Easy ways to update your dining table

Upgrade the seating

If you already have a gorgeous reclaimed wood dining table then you won’t need or want to, change this, Crafted from solid wood with history and character of its own, a reclaimed dining table will stand the test of time. However, dining chairs can date and those that have been well sat on and banged into over the years can look especially tired, so for a quick refresh, updating your dining chairs is an easy fix.

What chairs to choose for a rustic dining table

Bold colours are a big trend in the dining room so consider adding striking rich blue velvet dining chairs or sleek modern faux leather dining chairs as a contrast to the rough texture of a rustic dining table. Or try mixing it up with chairs and a wooden dining bench combination. You can accessorise with cushions or a faux fur throw that can be easily updated when you fancy another quick refresh.

Bring in a new accent colour

This is a great way to make your gorgeous reclaimed wood furniture really pop! Paint one of the walls in your dining room a different colour – you may want to change the colour scheme in your room completely or bring in a completely new single accent colour. To reinforce this get a new dining table centrepiece ornament that will match your new colour scheme. Use a tray if you want to arrange smaller items on your table it will make your display more complete – also, use interior designers’ top tip of displaying your ornaments in sets of threes.

Waxing or oiling

This is the perfect way to bring back the lustre on your dining table, plus to smooth out any knocks or chips acquired along the way. Actually, we recommend you give your reclaimed wood dining table a quick wax or oil (depending on the original finish) every month or so. This serves to nourish the wood and will give your dining table a new lease of life. Ensure you use a good quality wax, clear is fine, and rub it on along the grain of the wood. Simply leave it for 30 minutes then gently rub it off with a clean rag and hey presto, your table will look as good as new.

How to treat marks on reclaimed wood furniture

Update the lighting

Pendant lights are perfect for a dining space, highlighting the main piece of furniture in your dining room – your dining table. Again, here you can choose a light fitting that matches your decor or you can bring in a contrasting colour. A table lamp on a wooden sideboard, rustic console table or even a floor standing one can be positioned to create layers of lighting depending on the mood you want to set.

Bring in storage furniture

You don’t need lots of storage in your actual dining space, but it is good to have somewhere to keep essentials close to hand. A wooden sideboard or console table can make a huge difference to the storage you have available, as well as making serving big dinner parties easier – leaving your table free for a stunning centrepiece, plates and glasses. It also offers an additional surface to display favourite decorative items that can be regularly updated and refreshed depending on new trends, keeping your dining space scheme current.

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Top tips: How to give your dining room a designer look

How to give your dining room a designer look blog

Whether you have a separate dining room or a dining area in an open plan kitchen, getting the right design and layout isn’t always as straight forward as it first may be seem. For the space to work you need to strike the right balance of form and style so that it’s a functional and flexible space with just the right amount of ambience. Here, we set out some top tips and advice from experts on how to design this all-important space.

Get the layout of your dining room right

Unsurprisingly, the position of the dining room table is the most important and having the right size table for the space is paramount to the success of the space. If you are starting from scratch and buying a new reclaimed wood dining table then take some advice from interior stylist interior Emily Henderson who recently told livingetc. “Where possible you should allow a walkway of at least 75cms around large furniture pieces – however, if you are really pushed for space then your walkway must be no less than 60cms”. This is a great tip, as it means you don’t have to disrupt the entire table when you want to grab something from the kitchen or your guests use the bathroom.

The dining table is the centrepiece of the room so it really shouldn’t be pushed up against the wall. If there is normally only four of you around the table then choose a smaller table rather than a table that seats eight – a great option is to consider a wooden extendable dining table, so you get the best of both worlds.

Pick the perfect seating

Comfortable seating is so important for a dining room – especially if you entertain often. Think about how you’re going to use the space and what type of seating would be best. For example if you often need extra seating around a table consider a wooden dining bench as it tend to take up less space than individual chairs. Again if space is a challenge in the room then choose narrower seats without arms as they will fit under the table better and are also easier to get in and out of. When it comes to adding style and colour to your dining space, your dining chairs are the perfect items for this. A rustic dining table looks gorgeous when paired with sumptuous green velvet dining chairs or cream upholstered dining chairs with a buttoned back for sheer sophistication.

How to look after beautiful fabric dining chairs

Don’t forget about dining storage

Storage is essential in the dining room. In order to get it just right, think about how much space you have and how much you want to store – there are so many options you’ll be sure to find just the right piece. If you have plenty of room then a wonderful rustic sideboard is the obvious choice, this will provide you with acres of storage space inside together with extra space for decorative pieces on top. If you’re limited on floor space then a reclaimed wood shelving unit or a dresser is a good choice – you can display your favourite dinnerware on its shelves as well as other ornaments, plants or other items to personalise the room.

Set the mood with lighting

Lighting is another important consideration in the dining room. You want to make sure it’s bright enough that you can see what you’re eating, but not so bright that you lose the ambience. A pendant light is definitely a popular solution for many a good reason. Not only do they look good, but they create a focal point. Designers recommend a dimmer switch so you can change the mood when needed. A table lamp or floor lamp is also a great choice for after dinner relaxed lighting.

Create a centrepiece

Even when it is not in use it’s nice to have a centrepiece on the dining table – it makes a dining room look styled and complete. If it’s an arrangement that you will leave on the table when you dine, make sure it is a practical size. An oversized vase with a big bouquet of flowers or dried grasses look stunning, but you will need a wooden sideboard or someplace similar to move it to whilst you’re eating, so that you can see your guests!

5 bold dining tables for a striking dining space

Since the pandemic changed our lives, we are looking at ways we can use the space in our homes better. It is no secret that over the last two years as the home became our safe place and sanctuary more than ever before and the nation has collectively spent millions of pounds upgrading inside and out. One of the biggest investment areas is the combined open plan kitchen, diner, living room.

Spending time as a family has always been important and post-pandemic many of us realised just how much we enjoy this time together and how easily it was skipped pre-pandemic. With everyone now back at school and heading into the office, the only real opportunity we get to join as a family in modern-day is over dinner around the dining table. With mealtimes being so central to our interaction with family and friends, we think it’s worth making this space somewhere that makes a statement.

Bold dining tables that shakeup a room and make it the centre of the home is an upward trend, and why not? Here we look at our pick of large dining tables that are there to be noticed and enjoyed.

Our top 5 Striking Dining Tables

1. Canford dining table

The Canford collection of mango wood furniture definitely has a retro element to it. The mango wood dining table features a striking geometric design all skillfully created out of sustainable mango wood. This table will definitely add an injection of style to your dining space – we think the bold patterning on the table will look great in a room with dark atmospheric decor. The collection also includes, among other items, a rustic TV stand, wooden coffee table and a stylish mango wood highboard included in the collection you can deck your entire open plan living space in a cohesive and sustainable style.

2. Standford Industrial Dining Table

The Standford has always been a hugely popular choice with our customers and it’s easy to see why. This striking table takes old reclaimed wood and pairs it with polished new black industrial style legs to create a stylish contrast piece. This is one of those tables that will fit in with any style of décor in a room – choose from wooden dining chairs, faux leather dining chairs or mix in a wooden dining bench for a very modern look. This reclaimed wood dining table is a standalone feature in any dining space – a real talking point.

3. Rocco Spider Leg Dining Table

If you love the thought of an impressive industrial dining table in your dining space then the Kingsbridge could be just what you are looking for. Cool industrial black metal legs are paired with warm and rustic reclaimed oak set in a parquet pattern that catches the eye. Each table is unique having its own one-of-a-kind markings and undulations giving it history and character as well as individuality.

4. Mitcham Oak Dining Table

Black is indisputably the colour to go with if you want to create a dramatic, chic and stylish dining space, especially when paired with silver or gold shiny metal legs. This is a modern dining table is a true statement piece – pair with many different chair styles but a velvet dining chair up the style stakes further.

5. Mayfair Reclaimed Wood Dining Table

This rustic modern dining table is perfect for the dining area that wants to be noticed. The lack of straight lines will help give the illusion of there being more space around the table. You can fit 8+ dining chairs around the Mayfair Dining Table, dinner parties will be glamorous and intimate events around this striking rustic dining table.

Design inspiration: French farmhouse dining room

Our love for the rustic French farmhouse look in our homes never seems to fade. Elegant, rustic, laid-back and romantic, it’s an oxymoron of styles all working in beautiful harmony.

Before we look at how to create the French farmhouse style in the dining room, first, let’s understand how this look evolved! This style is said to have been originated by Louis XIV as he lavishly renovated the palace of Versailles in the 1600s. Over the years it has been downscaled and adapted to suit chic Parisienne apartments as well as a more country style in quaint country homes in Provence. A mix of classic style and rustic furniture, chic French farmhouse interiors is now as popular here in the UK as it is with our Gaelic neighbours.

How to create a French country dining room

We all have that image of a large rustic dining table next to a French door opening onto a lavender-scented garden with sheer nets blowing in a gentle warm breeze and whilst that may be difficult to replicate in many urban homes, you can bring a touch of French farmhouse to your dining room no matter where you live.

For fear of stating the obvious, the dining table is the most important item in the dining room. To get the French country style look you should match classic accents with homely rustic furniture. The Colette refectory reclaimed wood dining table is a perfect centerpiece for your room and brimming with French charm. The natural rough finish allows the knots, grains and splits of the reclaimed wood to shine through, which is just what your dining space requires. With a gorgeous rustic dining table in the room, next you need to complement it with some suitable dining chairs. For this, we think upholstered dining chairs covered in light linen, such as the Natural Sand Button Back dining chair, will sit prettily next to the rustic wood. The feature button back brings some classical style, whilst the modern shape keeps it on-trend.

The Derby collection is just made for the French Country dining room. This reclaimed wood furniture collection is skillfully crafted using salved wood with many pieces featuring decorative finishes, it includes a wooden sideboard for dining room storage. Another great choice is the Worcester white farmhouse table. This statement farmhouse dining table with white painted monastery style legs has all the charm you need for this look.

If you are seeking a more polished take on French farmhouse design, we suggest steering away from pale and rough wooden furniture and instead choose a farmhouse dining table with a soft smooth finish.

The Ringwood mango wood dining table with its rich homely colour is great for adding instant warmth in a dining space. Keep walls natural by using stone, bare brick or even smooth plaster and let the honeyed hue of the wood bring a glow to the room.

When it comes to décor and the finishing touches there are many wonderful ways you can cement the look, including decorative chandeliers or wall lights to add a lovely contrast to the rustic wood. Keep colours mainly neutral, but you can consider a printed wallpaper on a feature wall to add some interest – a pale blue or green print is ideal for a French feel. Also on the walls add a wall mirror or gold decorative frames and, of course, make the most of any original features you have in the room whether it is wood panelling, a fireplace, skirting boards or cornicing.

9 of our Best Extendable Dining Tables

Rustic style dining room with a reclaimed wooden trestle table

If after the festive period you feel like you could have done with a bigger dining table then maybe it’s time to invest in an extendable dining room table. If you love to entertain then a wooden extendable dining table really is one of the most important pieces of furniture you can have in your dining space. It offers you the best of all worlds – a dining table that is just the right size for day-to-day mealtimes and life, but one that can be easily extended when you’re having a gathering of friends or family. We’ve put together a list of our top 10 best extendable dining tables for you to decide from..

1. Derby Reclaimed Wood Extending Dining Table

reclaimed wood dining table with black painted legs

Contemporary, industrial, rustic and Nordic, this stunning 100% FSC-certified reclaimed dining table will add style and charm to any dining space. We love everything about this industrial style dining table, from the rustic wood full of history, natural markings and rustic imperfections to the contrasting sleek wooden black painted legs. The pale finish to the wood gives this rustic dining table a fresh feel that would fit with either modern furniture, rustic furniture or industrial furniture. Perfect for adding a statement in your dining space, the wooden extendable dining table extends to 220cm long via a butterfly extension leaf stored under the table, providing ample seating for larger dinner parties and gatherings. A wonderful example of how reclaimed wood furniture can be chic and modern. Pair with an dining bench or a dining chair set with metal legs for a cohesive rustic industrial look in your dining space.

2. Standford Reclaimed Wood extendable dining table

The perfect industrial dining table for those born to entertain. Its smooth butterfly extending mechanism is cleverly concealed within the tabletop, making it a breeze to open up, whilst the rugged reclaimed wood and black metal frame make a chic and functional statement in any dining space.

3. Skyline Reclaimed Wood Extending Round Dining Table

This Skyline Extending Round Dining Table offers versatility and elegance. Its circular design is perfect for intimate meals, and when extended, it comfortably accommodates additional guests. The reclaimed wood top and sturdy base provide a durable, stylish surface for any occasion.

With stylish dining chairs, you can be ready to entertain at the drop of a hat!

4. Branford Oak Extending Dining Table

This minimalist solid oak dining table, the Branford Oak Extending Dining Table is crafted from the finest solid oak and oak veneers, creating the ultimate contemporary aesthetic that embodies the essence of Nordic interior design. The perfect addition to any dining space, this oak table combines a modern design with functionality. Featuring clean lines, smooth curved corners and tapered legs, the simple shape of this modern extendable dining table is both modern and timeless, whilst the natural hues in the oak wood have a pale palette that is typical of the Nordic style. This goes perfectly with our Faux leather dining chairs.

5. Soho Extending Reclaimed Wood Dining Table

Bring a contemporary rustic mood to your dining space with this stylish reclaimed soho dining table with distressed dark stained legs. The Soho Extending Reclaimed Wood Dining Table is a wonderful mix of old and new. By marrying a character-rich reclaimed wood top with simple modern lines and contrasting tones, this wooden extendable dining table is a rustic classic that will never lose its style. Available in two sizes with the extension handily concealed within the table top and operated by a simple butterfly mechanism, this soho dining table is perfect for both small and spacious dining spaces. Pair with other pieces of reclaimed wood furniture from the Soho collection for a charming modern rustic scheme.

6. Madeline Extending Dining Table

Designed to offer a ‘new traditional’ look with its timeless elegant style with a modern touch, this stunning Madeline Extending Dining Table will add a sophisticated look to a room. The exquisite dark salvaged coffee coloured Mindy wood veneers and marquetry are complemented by the solid Mindy wood turned spindle legs. For added practicality the table features butterfly center leaves, so it can be extended to seat up to 10 people.

7. Kendrick Extending Dining Table

Designed to offer a ‘new traditional’ look with its timeless elegant style with a modern touch, this stunning Kendrick Extending Dining Table will add a sophisticated look to a room. The beautiful marquetry in a stunning rich tonal mid brown Mindy wood solids & veneers features inlaid book-matched details for an elegantly refined look. For added practicality the table has butterfly center leaves, so it can be extended to seat up to 10 people.

8. Worcester extendable dining table

This is the reclaimed wood dining table you are looking for if you love to fill your home with the light and minimalist vibe of Scandi design with a rustic twist. Perfect for smaller spaces and homes, the extension leaf is concealed inside the table meaning all you need are some classic modern dining chairs to complete the look.

9. Branford Round Extending Dining Table – Oak

Made from the finest solid oak in a washed finish for practicality and functionality. This Branford Round Extending Dining Table features an easy to use butterfly mechanism and tapered legs. This table cleverly extends from 110cm to 165cm comfortably seating 6 people.

Which would be your choice? For more of our extending dining tables see our collection of reclaimed wood, rustic and industrial wooden dining tables with extending options.

If you like what you’re reading and want to read more see our blog journal for product news and interior ideas and inspiration.

5 Ways to give your home a New Year’s detox

We all make a renewed effort to look after our health and wellbeing in January, watching calories and alcohol intake, maybe joining a gym as we detox our bodies after the enjoyable excesses of Christmas. But shouldn’t we also detox our safe haven, our home? As well as focusing on ourselves, we like to focus on detoxing our homes for the new year. Here, we share four ideas of what you can do in the home to give it a refresh…

1. Physical clutter

We all know that having a cluttered home is not good for our wellbeing so it really is worth trying to keep it clutter-free. Even if you can’t do this on a daily basis (we all know life gets in the way of best intentions), then have an hour one evening during the week or over the weekend to clear around and put things away in their correct places. While you’re at it donate or recycle things that aren’t bringing you joy anymore and keep things that uplift you and make you feel good. Tidying expert, Marie Kondo advocates just this. She created the KonMari™ Method that offers easy but effective ways to help you avoid relapsing into clutter-ville. As well as her infamous folding techniques,the method uses a unique selection process of choosing to keep what sparks joy, which means you are not selecting what to discard but rather choosing to hold onto items that speak to your heart.

For most of us the place we tend to sit down to relax is in the living room, so when it comes to the home concentrate your efforts here. Create a sanctuary to recharge your batteries – the possessions you keep should only be what you need and what makes you happy.

2. Visual clutter

Some things need to be on show so we know where to find them and have easy access to them, but this needs to be balanced. If you have your books and favourite decorative items displayed on reclaimed wood shelving then make sure it is not overly cluttered. Stand back and look at it from further away – if it looks too busy you can take some items and put them away in a wooden sideboard and add some houseplants instead to make the display more visually appealing. The same principle applies to magazines on your rustic coffee table. Rather than stacking months worth of your favourite titles on the surface, stick to the latest three months and either store the rest in a drawer or recycle them if you’re never going to pick them up again.

3. Stay focused

As human’s we like to gather and so creating a central focal point in the room naturally relaxes us. In the dining area, this could be a show-stopping rustic dining table around which you can spend quality time with family and friends. Pair this with a reclaimed wood sideboard – very important to keep the dining room essentials neatly tucked away when not in use. The most obvious focus point in the living room is the coffee table so make it count. As we are talking about keeping the house (and mind) clear and decluttered, opt for a statement-making mango wood coffee table with storage.

4. Be bold

If you want to create a more dramatic refresh to a room, as well as keeping clutter at bay, introduce a bold colour into the space. Pick out features, such as a chimney breast or some decorative wall cladding to accentuate using a vibrant colour. This will give the room some wonderful personality and individuality without overfilling the space with ‘stuff’. Choose reclaimed wood furniture as this stands out wonderfully against a striking bold backdrop.

5. Let in the fresh air

The quickest and most simplest way to breathe new life into a home is to open the windows and doors and get rid of the stuffy air and toxins. We know it’s cold out there, but grab an extra jumper and let the fresh air in!

Our 2021 best selling rustic furniture of the year

As we come to the end of 2021, it’s time to reflect over the past year before we start anew. To ensure we are offering you the type of rustic furniture and reclaimed wood furniture you most covet, we look back at your most popular pieces of the year. From industrial dining tables to bedroom furniture let’s see just what your homes are proudly wearing.

Standford Industrial Reclaimed Wood Extending Dining Table

Dining Tables

Dining tables are once again our top sellers. The popularity of the Standford Industrial Reclaimed Wood Extending Dining Table continues to rise – it looks as good as a contrast piece in a modern urban home as it does in a loft or rustic cottage. The Farringdon reclaimed wood extendable trestle table is particularly popular with families who are seeking a chunky solid wooden extendable dining table. This table looks especially great with the matching wooden dining bench – a practical choice if you like to entertain with room to fit more guests around the table. Another wooden table with bench that needs a mention is the Lansdowne Industrial. With plenty of other pieces in the collection including a wooden sideboard, with just these items you have set a stylish foundation for your dining room theme.

Standford Brown Leather Dining Chairs

Dining Chairs

When you are looking for seating for your dining room then the classic soft tan leather Standford is your top choice. These leather dining room chairs combine comfort with an industrial style that will complement many different interior styles and colour schemes. Perfect if you’re looking for a more rustic look the Allegro chairs were another top pick for the stylish dining room. Those of you who were looking for a vegan option fell head over heels with our Cleo faux leather seating collection – with benches and bar stools available as well as the faux leather dining chairs, all offered in tan or grey – we weren’t at all surprised to see this at the top of the list.

Dulwich Reclaimed Wood collection

Bedroom Furniture

The Dulwich reclaimed wood solid bed frame is a classic rustic bed that continues to be the popular choice. Many different styles are available but all feature a solid wooden headboard that has been handcrafted right here in the UK from reclaimed beams, which are often over 100 years old. As well as the Dulwich range our Winchester and Chelwood reclaimed wood collections also proved to be a bedroom essential in your homes. A reclaimed wood table at your bedside was your bedroom furniture piece of choice, adding not just essential storage, but warmth and character than only reclaimed wood can.

Chelwood Reclaimed Wood TV Stand

Living room furniture

Along with the ever-popular industrial dining table from the Standford collection many of you have decided to opt for an industrial look in the living room too. Our wooden sideboard from the Standford Industrial collection as well as the industrial coffee table have been popular choices throughout the year. Industrial furniture is so versatile – it can blend into any interior scheme and can be softened to create a warm inviting living space. A modern country scheme has also proved desirable this year, with our Chelwood reclaimed wood TV unit being one of our best selling living room furniture picks this year.

We’ve brought you are best sellers, now take a look at what our most read blogs of 2021 were. If you missed them, see our inspiration and ideas to discover some great tips and advice.

How to plan the perfect New Year’s Eve dinner party

Whether you’re hosting a small dinner party for four or a larger group of friends, make it the event of the year with our tips on how to host the best dinner party this new year’s eve…

Send invites

This should have been done by now, but sending out written invites is always a good idea, even if you have already verbally invited guests. If you send out invitations you can let everyone know what time to attend – add bring a bottle and make your theme known. You can also give a hint about the food you will be serving and ask them to RSVP so you definitely know how many you will be catering for.

Plan ahead

As ever, good organisation is key to a successful party – don’t leave everything to the last minute! You’ve got a few days left to check your New Year’s Eve invite list, finalise the menu (remember to double check on any specific dietary requirements), get decorations and props ready and purchase anything that is missing, especially important if you are having a themed party.

Dining table decor

It’s a New Years Eve party, so go all out and create a fabulous tablescape. Even if you are not having an actual theme for your dinner party have a theme in mind for your table setting. Create a stunning centrepiece for a rustic dining table with flowers and candles. Get all your crockery and cutlery washed and polished in advance so they sparkle on the table. To save any awkwardness for your guests you can organise a seating plan and leave a little gift on the table for each of your guests.

reclaimed wood dining table with dark blue styling

Prepare a welcome cocktail

Offer your guests a warm welcome with a prepared cocktail. Chances are you will be kept busy greeting guests as they arrive, having a cocktail ready for them left on a rustic console table in the hallway will leave you free to greet guests still arriving or add the finishing touches to the food. You can try something completely new or go for a classic such as a margarita. If you can, choose something that can be prepared the night before. Of course, not everyone will be drinking so have an alcohol free alternative, especially important for designated drivers.

Create a music playlist

Music is a great way to set the tone for your dinner party, you’ll want a good range of tunes to play throughout the evening. Consider the mood you want to set as your guests are arriving, you can dial the music down to a background level while you are sitting down to eat and crank it up a notch for after dinner dancing. Make sure you have a solid wood dining table if you foresee any dancing on the tables!

Be prepared

Some of your guests may unexpectedly end up wanting to (or needing to) stay the night. Have the guest bedroom ready and prepared for this possibility. Make sure you have clean sheets on the spare small double wooden bed and extra pillows and blankets at the ready. It may also be a good idea to leave a stylish jug of water on a wooden bedside table to help guests rehydrate throughout the night!

Keep it industrial with faux leather dining chairs with metal legs

Room for everyone with dining benches

Add some soft velvet contrast to the industrial look

More like this…

Easy ways to update your dining table

Upgrade the seating

Bring in a new accent colour

Waxing or oiling

Update the lighting

Bring in storage furniture

More blogs you may like…

Get the layout of your dining room right

Pick the perfect seating

Don’t forget about dining storage

Set the mood with lighting

Create a centrepiece

Other articles you might be interested in….

Our top 5 Striking Dining Tables

1. Canford dining table

3. Rocco Spider Leg Dining Table

5. Mayfair Reclaimed Wood Dining Table

Related Articles

How to create a French country dining room

Related articles

1. Derby Reclaimed Wood Extending Dining Table

2. Standford Reclaimed Wood extendable dining table

3. Skyline Reclaimed Wood Extending Round Dining Table

4. Branford Oak Extending Dining Table

5. Soho Extending Reclaimed Wood Dining Table

6. Madeline Extending Dining Table

7. Kendrick Extending Dining Table

8. Worcester extendable dining table

9. Branford Round Extending Dining Table – Oak

1. Physical clutter

2. Visual clutter

3. Stay focused

4. Be bold

5. Let in the fresh air

Dining Tables

Dining Chairs

Bedroom Furniture

Living room furniture

Send invites

Plan ahead

Dining table decor

Prepare a welcome cocktail

Create a music playlist

Be prepared