dining room Archives - Page 6 of 39

Tips to plan out the kitchen diner in your new home

kitchen with moving in boxes and ironing board

So you’ve found your new home and need to think ahead and start planning where your furniture is going to go. In this and our next blog we will look at how you can prepare to move into your new home and get your furniture lay-out planned well before you get there – I promise you this will make moving-in so much easier!

The kitchen is the heart of the home and one of those rooms that is needed from the minute you move in, so let’s start with the kitchen and dining room or your open plan kitchen diner.

First off, when you pack the final items into the back of your moving lorry or van, just make sure you add a kettle, cups, tea, coffee, sugar, milk and some snacks where you can easily get to them. Taking a 5-minute breather in your new home with a cup of tea or coffee to get re-charged and re-focused will make you more productive in the long run!

Before moving-in day get the full measurements of the space – take note of where sockets, light switches, windows, doors, radiators are. Then you need to decide if the furniture you currently have will work in the new space – there’s no point paying to move it if you want to change it. If you had a formal dining room before and are now moving into a modern kitchen diner you may want to change to a modern industrial style dining table, if you are moving into a cottage then a farmhouse table may suit the style of your new home better. Maybe your dining space is bigger in your new home and you would like to add some reclaimed wood furniture, such as a rustic sideboard.

Use a floor plan to see how this will all fit in the new space – remember to take into account which way doors open and leave plenty of room around the dining table or breakfast bar to pull the dining chairs out and get around it. If the room is open plan then use zoning to define the different areas – you may want be able to fit in a modern leather sofa and TV area and create a family TV space.

If you have a separate dining room you may want to go for a more formal reclaimed dining table and make it the focal point of the room. Think about if the lighting is in the right place? Would it work better if the ceiling light were moved? Do you need to change your wooden dining chairs to fabric dining chairs? Think about bringing in an accent colour – bold blue velvet dining chairs will give an otherwise formal room a modern splash of colour.

If your kitchen only has a little bit of spare space you may want to bring in a small wooden table and chairs that can be used for breakfasts and quick lunches. Use your floorplan to decide how big the table can be – just allow an additional metre all around it for chairs.

Tips to prepare for an easy house move

brown removal boxes and armchair with dust sheet

Moving home is always stressful – no matter how organised you think you are. You may have to find a new doctor, dentists and a new school for the children – not to mention all the companies you have to inform like the DVLA, utility companies and banks…. etc. etc. etc. In this blog, we look at ways to remove some of the stress from the hard work of packing up your belongings in the house – I promise you, you will be surprised at how much stuff you have. It’s never too early to start de-cluttering and packing!

In the kitchen

The kitchen is one of those places where everything seems to accumulate – from unused gadgets to important paperwork that hasn’t been filed away. Even if you have employed a company for the packing and move day, you will still want to have a sort out – this way you will be way more organised from the get-go in your new home. File papers away, give those gadgets away, go through your pots and pans – dispose of old chipped cups that never get used. Ruthlessly go through the kitchen units and throw away any old part used packets that have been in the cupboards for a while, use up as much food that you already have in.

Tidy and organise everything you want to keep so it is ready to simply be wrapped and put in boxes. If you have a rustic sideboard in your kitchen or dining room you might even be able to pack some of the items inside a month or so before the move – I am sure if you have guests around for dinner they won’t mind if you are not using your best serving dishes!

In the living room

Again, start decluttering wherever you can. If you have a wall display cabinet then you can pack any display items, books, CD’s and DVD’s well in advance. A good place to have a sort out are the cables behind the TV stand – sort out what you no longer need and get the rest labelled ready for reconnecting quickly in your new home.

In the bedroom

You can also make a good start in the bedrooms by donating any old clothes and packing away seasonal clothing you won’t be needing for a while. Pack spare bedding in a wooden chest….this is also a great place to pack and protect any fragile ornaments, as are drawers in a solid wood chest of drawers! You’re very unlikely to get a heavy solid wood bed out of the house in one piece so this could be another thing you can dismantle a few days before your move, leaving just the mattress on the floor. When it comes to actually moving furniture, items such as a large rustic wardrobe or other reclaimed wood furniture with drawers and doors, we suggest removing the handles and screw them back onto the furniture on the inside – this will prevent damage to items and stop them from catching as they are transported.

Top tips for an easier move

Start packing early
Decide if you will use a moving company or get friends and family to help
Dispose of, donate or recycle items you no longer want or need in your new home
Clearly label or colour code your packing boxes by room
Keep a folder to store utility company telephone numbers and any other important documents you might need
Write important dates and tasks down

Good luck! If you have any top moving tips leave them in the comment box below. We’d love to know about them.

Summer trend – bring in rustic Mediterranean style

rustic dining table outdoors with orange bowl and large terracotta pot in the background

The Mediterranean interior style has timeless appeal that encapsulates the classic features of older Spanish, Italian and Greek homes with features such as natural stone walls and floors, exposed wood beams, decorative metalwork and bold ceramics. Earthy, rustic, cool and natural, the Mediterranean look is the perfect partner for reclaimed wood furniture…. bringing its own fair share of history and character with it. When it comes to recreating this style here in the UK, we are looking to mimic the indoor-outdoor lifestyle that our Mediterranean cousins do so well.

Bring the casually elegant, earthy and rustic Mediterranean look, inspired by the sun and sea, right into your dining space. A Mediterranean dining area tends toward colours and materials that look picked straight from nature – rich, earthy hues against a calming backdrop of white and natural wood. A rustic dining table is just screaming out to be filled with tapas, olive bread and full-bodied red wine, ready for you to enjoy with friends and family. Hanging a natural weave rattan pendant light over a reclaimed wood dining table would be the perfect lighting for your Mediterranean look dining room, opt for wicker placemats and rustic earthenware dishes for relaxed summer evening dining.

To get the Mediterranean style in your living room we suggest you keep things cool, white and neutral – reflecting the casual lifestyle and laid-back vibe of the area. Perfect for creating a relaxing space. Furniture is big, sturdy and built to last with natural materials, such as rustic wood, stone and natural weaves taking a starring role. Neutral tones can be complemented with bright accent colours, such as blues and yellows reminiscent of the sun, sea and sky, or deep orange, brown and terracotta to create an inviting and intimate mood. To bring in the natural element of wood you can have a reclaimed wood coffee table as your living room centrepiece or a rustic sideboard with a selection of decorative accessories like terracotta pots, leafy house plants in rattan baskets and a natural wicker side lamp.

Warm evenings and a gentle breeze call for a pared-back scheme in the bedroom. Add soft colour accents to off-white walls – think muted pinks, greens and blues – and a chunky rustic bed and full of character. Natural woven accessories like a natural jute rug and wicker baskets for storage. Introduce some wall hangings and some plumped up scatter cushions to complete this dreamy bohemian bedroom style.

Top tips to style 5 rustic sideboards 5 ways

A solid wood sideboard works well in so many rooms – in the dining room, in a spacious hallway, in the kitchen, and of course in the living room. While they provide plenty of hidden storage on the outside what can you do with the top of them to turn them into an eye-catching focal point in your room? Here we show you how to style your wooden sideboard with five hot interior themes.

1. Boho vibes

The Serenity Reclaimed Wood Sideboard is a feature piece all on its own. The reclaimed solid wood from which it has been crafted is arranged into a striking pattern which is inset with detail. Give this sideboard a Boho look by adding natural elements like bamboo, dried grasses and terracotta to mimic the free-spirited and carefree nature of boho style. Coordinate this in your room with with layers of pattern, texture and warm colours, a perfect style match for natural rustic furniture.

2. Nordic Noir

The Nordic look is a popular as ever giving your room a cool and airy Scandi vibe. The Chelwood Nordic reclaimed wood sideboard has been styled with darker elements that contrast with the pale wood while still maintaining a cosy kind of minimalism. Here the solid wood has been paired with dark metal, as well as a houseplant in a smoked glass feature vase. The Nordic style embraces natural light and minimalist clean lined modern furniture.

3. Loft Living

Even if you don’t live in a loft you can still embrace the industrial look. Here we are looking at how to dress an industrial sideboard. The industrial interior style showcases utilitarian materials such as wood, metal, brick and cement. The Standford Medium Industrial Wooden Sideboard is crafted from hand-sawn reclaimed wood and nixon black distressed steel legs. A rustic sideboard with slick metal detailing that will bring in an instant NYC loft look.

4. Distant shores

You can give a dark wood rustic sideboard an oriental overhaul to create a zen-like relaxing space influenced by the tropical shores of the Far East. We feel this look is perfect on the Knightsbridge sideboard. Strand a large leafy pot plant on the floor next to it and on the surface add grey pots and decorative accessories and a couple more small lush and leafy house plants to give a contemporary feel.

5. Coastal chic

This works perfectly with a white painted sideboard, such as our Dorset Reclaimed Wood Large Sideboard, to bring in a relaxed easy- going vibe, coastal chic incorporates natural elements in a faded, washed-out finish. Its netural colour scheme is peppered with hints of green, grey and blue reminiscent of the sea. For this look you want white stone pots, mimicking pebbles or shells, grey wood, reminiscent of drift wood and “sailing” ropes.

Spotlight: The new Derby Reclaimed wood collection

reclaimed wood dining table with black painted legs and matching wooden bench

We are always on the lookout for new and exciting ranges of reclaimed wood furniture – and are delighted to add the Derby collection to our existing ranges of reclaimed furniture. The Derby collection is a perfect blend of rustic and modern simplicity. The pale wood brings in a light and airy Nordic influence while the black painted legs and minimalist black handles give a hint of industrial style. The Derby collection offers everything you need to stylishly furnish your living room, dining room and hallway.

For your dining space…

If you are after a new look in your dining room then the Derby wooden table with matching bench could be the perfect choice for your dining area, it’s an extendable table too, giving you plenty of extra tabletop when you have guests for dinner! Adding the Derby wooden bench, as well as chairs, around your dining table is right on-trend, you can opt for modern faux leather dining chairs with metal legs to reinforce the industrial element. If you have a smaller room or want to add a table in your kitchen then there is the Derby reclaimed wood round dining table – perfect for family dinners and intimate entertaining.

For dining room storage the range includes a console table with drawers – perfect for the smaller dining space – or a large reclaimed wood sideboard for a bigger dining room, the sideboard would work just as well as living room storage!

For your living space…

Whether you’re going for a minimalist industrial look or the natural airy Nordic look in your living room then the Derby should not be overlooked. You can pair this collection with a brown leather sofa or a fabric sofa, the reclaimed wood coffee table has built-in storage (very handy for the living room) in the shape of two drawers and a small shelf. You can stand your TV on the matching rustic tv stand for those evenings when the family gathers around to watch a bit of TV. Side tables are available, again with a drawer and shelf so you can place a reading lamp near your favorite spot on the sofa.

In the hallway…

To keep your hallway clutter free the Derby collection offers a console table with two drawers, perfect to store keys, the dog’s lead and other small bits and bobs in. You can hang a mirror over this for a quick glance on your way out, or a picture, and dress the top with a houseplant and some decorative vases – just to give the hallway a warm welcoming feel.

What’s best for you, a casual or formal dining area?

wooden dining table with grey fabric dining chairs

Dining rooms have been used for all sorts of things this last year or so and maybe you want to give yours a bit of a freshen up or revamp it a little – this is the time to decide whether you will opt for a formal or informal dining space.

Informal dining space

This has become very much more popular of late, largely due to us preferring to live in more open-plan spaces. Many a kitchen extension has been built in the last 10 – 15 years that merges the dining room and kitchen…often with a TV and seating area thus creating a family ‘all in one living space’. This has made the dining table a lot more accessible, a place where people sit down more frequently whether it’s to do homework, work, flick through a book or have a cup of coffee. Have a think about what style of table suits your lifestyle best – a round wood dining table is great for family board games, it’s also great for entertaining as you can see everyone around the table. However, if you entertain a lot you may be better off with a wooden extendable dining table.

Here are a few tips on how to style your dining table to suit an informal space.

As the table is more used it should not be set with a crisp white table cloth and fancy silver candlesticks. Instead, don’t put a table cloth on unless you are setting it for a more formal occasion. Add wicker coasters and placemats for people to use to put their drinks or food dishes on. You may prefer to put your dining table centrepieces more in the corner of the table so people can put stuff on it – these will also be less formal in style – a fruit bowl or a house plant.

Choose seating that is a more relaxed style, mix and match chairs for a more funky look – and a wooden dining bench Is just perfect for an informal dining space. A bold colour dining chair like green or blue velvet dining chairs will give a neutral room a nice pop of colour.

Formal dining space

The formal dining space is more suited to big occasions and celebratory dinners. This will most likely be in a separate dining room with a large statement dining table. For a more formal look you should have a crisp white cotton table cloth and crisp cotton napkins at the ready – as well as grand centrepieces for your table. Fresh cut flower arrangements are perfect at the centre of the table – or if your table is particularly large you can opt for two or three smaller ones, mix in some candles to create the perfect dinner party ambience. A silver wine bucket is also a perfect table adornment.

When it comes to seating then you can go for really sumptuous and luxurious dining chairs with classic stud or button detailing – something like the Bladon in a sophisticated pale grey velvet. Serving dinner will be a more formal affair most likely with the dishes being brought through to the dining room. An elegant solid wood sideboard will ensure you have plenty of additional space to set things down on and keep tableware tucked away out of sight, but readily available when needed. A pendant light suspended over the table will add the final finishing touch to the formal dining room.

Which wood is best for a dining table?

5 ways to balance a long narrow room

A long narrow room can be a bit tricky to furnish so here we have a few simple suggestions to make the space feel more balanced.

1 – Create a walkway

How you do this depends on where the doors are in the room but if you can have a clearly defined path going the length of the room it will allow the energy to flow better. A curved walkway through the room will emphasise the width of the room more rather than a straight one. On the practical side, you don’t want people stubbing their toes on pieces of furniture that’s in the way all the time.

2 – Don’t position all your furniture against the long walls

Do not be tempted to line all your furniture up along the long walls – the best way to create an illusion of width….is to use the width of the room! So you can position a leather couch against one of the long walls and place a chesterfield chair or an accent chair perpendicular to it, to help balance it out.

3 – Create zones

Zoning is a great way to deal with a long narrow room. You can section off areas using floor rugs and reclaimed wood furniture pieces to create the zones. An L-shaped sofa with a rug and rustic coffee table will instantly zone an area, perfect for sitting and chatting. If you place your sofa widthways in the room then you can position a desk at the back to create a small home office area, again you can use a floor rug to zone the space. If your room is a living room / diner then zone one area to be the dining space, using a round dining table will also help with the aesthetics of the room.

4 – Use the height of the room

To make the room seem wider you should use the full height of the room. A rustic bookcase will add a bit of balance in a long narrow space and will draw the eye to the height of the room rather than the narrowness of the room. Create a display on your bookcase of trailing house plants, your favourite decorative pieces and some books. Another way to bring some height to the room is to add an industrial sideboard, the fuss-free minimalist metal frame will give more of a feeling of space. Hang a wall mirror above the sideboard and place some tall table lamps or candlesticks on it.

5 – Bring in circular elements

Circular elements are great to use in long narrow spaces. You should opt for round floor rugs, a round nest of tables, rather than a rectangular coffee table, (this saves space as well) a round dining table in your dining zone. Choose a round pendant light over your dining table, round lamp shades, wall mirrors and artwork, a clock is perfect! All these round elements will pull the eye away from the straight lines of the room.

Easy ways to brighten a dark room

Grey fabric sofa in dark grey living room

A dark room can be a bit of a nightmare to decorate but chances are all of us have that one room in our homes that just always seems a bit dull. In this blog, we will look at some quick and easy ways to bring in some light and brightness! ☀

Dark grey living room with grey fabric sofa

In the dining room

A dining room is generally one of those places that doesn’t get used as much as the kitchen or the living room so a quick fix solution to bring in light, is perfect! In this room we think about the furniture as these will be the main elements in the room – dining table, chairs and sideboard. A rustic wooden dining table is perfect in this room but keep it light. The Dorset furniture range is our top pick – a beautiful reclaimed dining table top finished with a hint of grey sits atop a white painted trestle frame, perfect for keeping things light and bright. This is great paired with the dining benches from the same range or a mix of a bench and light coloured chairs. The white wood sideboard from the range will keep you perfectly organised and clutter-free. To add an extra splash of light, hang a wall mirror over the sideboard and drape some fairy lights over it.

In the living room

This is a room where we do tend to spend a little more time in and in recent years, a dark living room has become quite a trend. However, if a dark room is not for you then you should have a few more tricks up your sleeve to help brighten it up. Let’s start with walls – try to keep them light – crisp white is great, you can add some brightly coloured wall art. Direct your lighting onto the walls and ceiling as this will really help brighten the space. A light coloured floor – for this you can simply add a light coloured rug if you don’t want to replace the whole floor. Keep your window dressings light, and, keep your windows clean, something that is often overlooked but makes a big difference! Ideally, choose light furniture, white painted or gorgeous pale reclaimed wood. The rustic coffee table from the Chelwood Reclaimed Wood range is perfect with its pale wood and its no-fuss design.

Brightening a dark entrance hall

This is a dark space in many homes – hallways don’t often have windows and with a solid door not much light gets in, so this is a place where you may want to bring in some added brightness. A hallway can be a cluttered space with shoes coats, jackets, umbrellas, bags etc. all confined to a relatively small space – a hallway cabinet is a great investment to keep everything hidden away in. If space is limited then a simple rustic console table will give you a little storage space for a few essentials. Again here to lighten the space, keep the decor light and add a mirror over the console table. Dried flowers are making a huge comeback and would give a cheery splash of colour to your hallway.