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The Beauty of the Small Dining Table

Small dark wooden table with linen cushions

If you dream of a large welcoming dining room complete with a substantial reclaimed wood dining table taking centre stage against other pieces of reclaimed wood furniture, you are not alone. It’s a fantasy many of us harbour, but the reality is often a lot different. And this means that when it comes to choosing a dining table for a small space, we have to make sure we make a clever choice. That said, the range of options when it comes to small dining tables is not limited. Just how do you make the most of your dining space with the beauty of a small dining table?

1 Opt for a foldaway or extendable table

If you use the dining table occasionally, a foldaway table gives the best of both worlds – you have a dining table when you need it but plenty of floor space when you don’t. A round extending table could offer the same benefit in that you have a smaller table for most days, but more dining space when you need it.

2 Go bright

The temptation to maximise the feeling of space is to go with white walls and reflective surfaces but, some designers are of the opinion that if the space is small, you should embrace it. Bright colours with a hint of pastel shades are right on trend at the moment. As well as pastel shades for the wall, opt for jewelled coloured upholstered dining chairs for your small round dining table or add coloured table covers to brighten up and make a feature of your reclaimed wood dining table.

3 Opt for a bar table

For homes where space in the kitchen really is very limited, opting for a dining table, especially if it’s just for the two of you, could swallow up space you can ill-afford to lose. There is another option and it comes in the shape of a bar table.

There are many stylish bar tables and so you are sure to find something that fits with your style whether that is the industrial style or the farmhouse look. Add some comfy bar stools and you will be happy to while away an evening supper, linger over a long lunch or catch-up with friends over a quick morning coffee.

4 Opt for streamlined dining benches

You don’t just have to think about the dining table but the chairs too. When you have little space to play with, no matter how small or bijou your chosen industrial dining table or round dining table is, with dining chairs added it can all feel too much and too cluttered.

Stools can make for a handy seating solution at a dining table when space is limited. That said, they aren’t suitable for everybody, but as an occasional seating solution, they are perfect.

The solution may lie in a streamline dining bench. No clutter and no fuss, when not in use, simply pop under the table or push up against the wall.

5 Think outside the box

If you have plentiful space in the hallway or corridor, for example, but limited space in the corner of your kitchen diner, who says that you can’t think outside the box and utilise this space as your dining space?

With the right accessories and choice of dining table, it may be more comfortable all round to move the table into an area where there is more space for the table and for diners. Maybe not the bedroom (or bathroom!), but a living room, walkway or long hallway could be ideal. Give it try!

A Match Made in Heaven

Mathematical calculation drawn in the sand for love

With Valentine’s day near, it can mean only one thing – love is in the air! And for us, that means celebrating the partnerships that stick together through thick and thin. In the world of furniture, there are many and our love for them is as strong as ever…

Armchair and side table

Is there anything better than sinking into the warm folds of an armchair after a long day or when you need to escape real life for a while? We think not, which is why the partnership between armchair and small side table is as strong as ever.

For an armchair to be truly useful, it needs its trusty sidekick of a side table or if space allows, a rustic coffee table to perch your feet, coffee cup or wine glass. One ties in with the other…

Dining table and chairs

… which is exactly how the companionship between a reclaimed wood dining table and chairs can be described. Both have their uses separately but they are better together. Whether you opt for wooden dining chairs or the plush fabrics of upholstered dining chairs, the chemistry between both is the ultimate love affair.

Bed and bedside table

No matter the dimensions of your reclaimed wood bed frame, without a bedside table it offers little apart from a place to lay your head. Taking care of everything from your alarm clock to bedside table lamp, this small but mighty piece of bedroom furniture has one of the biggest hearts and is a must in any bedroom. There is an undeniable connection between the bed and bedside table that is set to last for all eternity.

Kitchen island and pendant light

No man is an island, a saying that shows we all need some kind of emotional connection in our lives. The same could be said of the kitchen island and the relationship between it and the hanging pendant light. Casting light where there is shadow is its number one priority and catching the light when it falls is the kitchen island’s job. When you are working, eating or sitting at the kitchen island, you need light, something that our stylish pendant ceiling lights offer. The only problem is deciding which one…

Console table and mirror

Another couple that every could benefit from having it its life is the console table and mirror. Commonly found in the hallway, this must-have combination is so stylishly versatile it can lend itself to anywhere in the home. The slimline features of a narrow console table give it an elegant style and with handy storage solutions combined, it’s no wonder so many of us choose to have one in the home.

And with a mirror hanging above it, reflecting light in what can sometimes be a small space, you see how the two personalities complement each other.

Coffee table and rug

Both have a streak of independence but that makes their partnership even more wonderful. The rug provides the colourful, patterned platform that the coffee table needs to shine. And if there is one thing that makes any relationship a success, it is the mutual support that one offers the other.

Spread the love if you can you think of other furniture combinations that are perfect together.

Spruce up your hallway with these Christmas deco ideas

Small Christmas tree with fairy lights on a dark wooden mantelpiece with three hanging light blue stars

Create a winter wonderland entrance in your home this Christmas with these magical hallway tips and ideas…

First impressions last so spruce up your hallway by making the most of its architectural features and by adding a few well-placed accessories.

Bring the best of winter foliage in

Winter is not a completely grey month. There is colour in nature over the winter months. From the dark green of evergreen holly with bright red berries to other evergreen plants, such as ivy, there are options that make decorating your hallway banister easy – and with a stunning finish. Intertwine fairy lights as you go and it will enjoy an extra festive glow.

Clear away the clutter with a wooden shoe rack

As well as being beautifully decorated and full of a glorious winter scent, the hallway also needs to be free from clutter, which can be hard to do when there are bags, coats and shoes to hideaway. The solution is to invest in hallway storage that works for you.

A wooden shoe rack, for example, is ideal. Shoes are slotted into vacant slots where they remain until they are needed again. You can also keep house slippers in the slots so when guests arrive, they have something warm and soft for their feet.

Add a seat for practical purposes

The hallway is the place that guests pass through as they enter and leave your home. That means there are coats to be stored and outdoor shoes to be stored away too. As well as a unit with rattan drawers, you might also want to consider a hallway storage seat.

Another great option is for a hallway bench. And there are many styles and sizes to choose from. A simple yet stylish wooden bench is a great investment. It’s one of those items of furniture that can be used for many different purposes across the home. When winter arrives and you prepare your home to welcome guests, the wooden dining bench in the hallway is great for bags and coats.

Another option is a hallway storage bench. Similar to a blanket chest in the bedroom, the lid is lifted to so items can be securely stored but with a nice padded seat for guests to sit on.

For even more elegance, go all out with a leather upholstered hallway bench. With button-back detailing, there is something very striking about this style of bench. The design has hints of the iconic Chesterfield sofa about it, making it perfect for the winter wonderland hallway.

Update the hallway console table

The hallway console table is an absolute must. Give it a fresh look with an arrangement of evergreen foliage and winter flowers, as well as a recycled glass lamp to cast a pleasantly warm and welcoming glow to the hallway. The console table would also be perfect for a scented candle or a diffuser too.

Don’t forget the mistletoe

There are many different varieties of mistletoe but the one we know and love at Christmas is the one with thin green leaves and white berries. Hang a sprig or two of mistletoe above your door for a chance to share a stolen kiss or two!

Sparkling Bonfire Night storage ideas

Full of colour and excitement, bonfire night is a favourite time of year for many people. But, no matter how much you love it, hosting a party in which guests trample mud into your home from the garden or coats, scarves and hats get piled in a room is most definitely not welcome. How can you make sure your hallway is welcoming but also practical?

Bench seats

A hallway storage bench is an ideal option and not just for bonfire night but every day of the year. With clever storage solutions – simply pop shoes and boots on one shelf or box and hat, gloves and scarves in the other – this is a multifunctional piece of furniture. Acting as a stool, you have a comfy seat to sit whilst shoes and boots are pulled off.

There are different sizes of wood storage bench too. Opt for a small bench, perfect for a corner in the hallway or, if you have a longer expanse of wall opt for a longer bench that has three or four baskets for storage of winter clothing and boots.

Open storage

Some hallway benches have storage in the shape of wicker or rattan baskets. These are a great solution as they are easy to keep clean. Simply vacuum them every now and then. If they do get muddy or dirty, wipe them over with warm water and a mild detergent and leave them to air dry thoroughly.

Another solution is to opt for a storage bench seat in the hallway that has separate compartments so that every member of the family has their own ‘pigeonhole’ for storing shoes and boots. Easy to keep clean – sweep out dried mud – they are perfect at both the front and back door entrances to your home.

If you want somewhere to store wellingtons or other boots, opt for a storage bench seat that has a wider and taller slot.

Storage bench with lift up lid

Another solution for welcoming guests in the hallway but also as a piece of reclaimed wood furniture with storage is to opt for a flat-top blanket chest or trunk in the hallway.

This versatile piece of furniture can act as a blanket or linen store in the bedroom but if you feel storage is lacking in the hallway, it also makes a great seat-with-storage solution too.

It is also a great ad hoc solution for bonfire night when you know you’ll have guests and need a quick and easy solution to store hats, gloves and scarves!

Opting for a flat top hallway trunk means people can sit on it but simply lift the lid to toss their hat or gloves inside.

A simple hallway bench

As we’ve seen, sometimes the best solutions are the simplest. When it comes to creating a welcoming hallway, is there anything better than a simple hallway bench?

Whether you enjoy the contemporary style in your home, or the industrial or rustic, a simple hallway bench will slot right in. Add a cushion or two for comfort, colour and texture along with open baskets or wine boxes underneath to keep shoes, scarves, gloves and hats neat, tidy and out of the way.

Spook-tacular Halloween hallway ideas

Halloween is a time of year that so many of us enjoy and nowadays, more and more people decorate their home and host a party to celebrate the festival. If you’re planning a party or dinner party this Halloween, why not decorate your hallway to make it look inviting and entertaining for guests? Here’s how…

Carved pumpkins are essential!

If there is one thing that signifies Halloween it is a carved pumpkin or two with a tea light flickering behind the menacing face or scene you’ve carved out from it. Position them outside the door or inside your hallway for a dash of colour. Create a display with them on the doorstep and if you are not happy about leaving burning candles unattended, there are plenty of smaller battery tea lights that do a great job.

As well as orange pumpkins, you could also make a display from the smaller squashes that are seasonable at this time of year. Cluster them in a bowl on the hallway industrial console table along with your statement large table lamps with pinecones. When Halloween has passed, peel the skin, chop the flesh and make a delicious soup.

Add detailing with candles

Candles are perfect for autumn and winter. Their gentle flickering flame adds cosy warmth to a space that won’t go amiss in the hallway this Halloween. Even better is when you use scented candles. They leave a beautiful scent hanging in the air that your guests will breathe in as they arrive for the party.

As well as scented candles, they can also add a dash of colour too. In the industrial hallway, black candles on the industrial console table wouldn’t go unnoticed, but if you want to lighten the look, there are scented white candles too.

Add a mirror (or two)

A mirror in the hallway is almost a necessity, which is one reason why we look to hang one in the space. But how about making a change and opting for a free standing mirror? Perfect for all time of year, hanging faux-spider web over the corner gives it an eerie feel for your Halloween party.

Skulls (with a difference!)

Crooked witches’ hats and wizardry are part and parcel of this festival along with skeletons, black cats and rats! Skulls have also made an appearance in modern Halloween décor recently, but why not switch this up with the Lovato cow head? This beautiful silver skull adds elegance as well as a touch of Halloween to your hallway.

Webs on the hallway chandelier

Walking through a cobweb sends shivers down most of our spines, even if you don’t mind the idea of a spider crawling on you! For this reason, they are a mainstay of Halloween decorations with faux spider webs on sale in most high street stores and online too. Draping a wispy web from the hallway chandelier creates the perfect ghostly entrance, just make sure that it isn’t directly on the bulb otherwise this could present a fire hazard – Bonfire night it is not!

With your hallway decorated and ready, don your costume and party beyond the witching hour!

Create a hallway of fame with these reclaimed consoles

Chelwood Reclaimed Wood Console Table with Drawers

The console table became a must-have item of furniture in the homes of 17^th century French and Italian aristocracy and since then, it has remained a useful and stylish piece for the hall or entrance way of the home. In modern homes, it slimline features make it the perfect choice for offering storage without consuming too much space.

But its unassuming features doesn’t mean your reclaimed wood console table can’t be styled to give your hallway an extra pap of zing…In fact, in terms of hallway storage ideas, it could be the best decision you make.

Rustic beauty

The rustic style of reclaimed wood furniture may have a slightly less refined finish but that doesn’t mean it is any less elegant. Bring out the freshness of the white console table in the hallway with a vase of tall, striking white flowers. Add a basket for easy storage of small items (drop your car keys in and know you’ll find them again) and for when the daylight starts to fade, a beautiful lamp to cast a soft glow.

To balance any console table, don’t forget the expanse of wall behind it. A framed mirror does just the job, as will a large piece of artwork.

More storage (without adding bulk)

Hallway storage is essential for a busy household and so a console table with drawers and a shelf is ideal for increasing options but without adding extra bulk. On the lower level shelf, adding baskets is an ideal way of keeping hats and scarves in check or use it as the base for storing school and work bags.

Candlelight adds a gentle, romantic light to the hallway and this console table is ideal for pairing with lanterns. Balance the table with a lantern at either end or, if you prefer, opt for the two sizes and cluster together in the corner. Add height with fresh, scented flowers nestling in a brown vase to add a colour element that draws everything together.

Again, don’t forget the wall behind the hallway table. Beautifully stylish, the Pebble hallway mirror allows for light to be reflected around, a feature that completes the scene.

A modern twist

The beauty of reclaimed wood furniture is just how beautifully it fits with any home and any style. The Worcester reclaimed wood console table with drawers is a common feature in the rustic style and no wonder: it brings an added depth of refinement without compromising on the components that make the style.

On the surface, it looks like effortless styling but how do you stop a collection of items from looking jumbled? Think in layers of height and you have the solution. In this case, choose two pieces of black and white prints, both in black frames but one taller than the other. The next layer is the glass jar or lantern (or another object) that is no taller than your tallest print. A tall, white vase at the other end of the table adds clarification as too do the smaller accessories in front of the items. When arranging your items, have everything ‘within touching distance’ of the other. In other words, no blank spaces.

Above the collection of well-chosen and placed items make a bold, bold statement. A mirror that has a vast expanse of glass is ideal but don’t hold back on its shape or frame.

Three ways to style a hallway console table. Which is your preferred option?

Unwind in an aromatic experience with scented candles

The home should appeal to all senses. Naturally, we tend to focus on what we see because, after all, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Texture is important too which is why the touch and beauty of reclaimed furniture make it so very popular. But once you have everything in place, what other small touches do you add?

Gentle, calming aroma in the home

We have 10 million olfactory cells in our nose, all of which play a vital role in how we feel. For example, you’ll detect when milk has ‘turned’ from a few paces away, just like a pleasant aroma in the home can help us feel calm, settled and comfortable.

Adding scent to your home

There are various ways of adding different layers of scent to your home but two of the most popular ways are scented candles and diffusers. Slowly releasing their pleasant notes throughout your home, we have a range of the best candles and diffusers for your home.

Both scented candles and diffusers work in any room, from a pleasant perfume at the door to a centrepiece containing beeswax candles on the beautiful tablecloth on your reclaimed wood dining table to a restful aroma floating across the bedroom, there is something for everyone in our new collection of best-scented candles and diffusers.

Handmade, quality scented candles

All candles in our range, whether large candles or small candles are handmade by Rathbornes in Dublin, a sign in itself that you are buying a quality scented candle. The process of candle making is important simply because it dictates whether the final product is delicately flavoured or too harsh or too weak to make a difference.

The scent

It’s essential you have the right scent for you. Different aromas appeal to different people evoking a different reaction. What some will find ‘too strong’ and overpowering, you will find just right.

The burn time

You’ll also want the fragrant notes to dance through the air for some time and so we have a range of the best scented candles with different burn times. Travel candles with one wick will last for several hours as too will those candles with two wicks. For an intense experience, luxury scented candles will bring instant gratification.

Better still, as they come supplied in a beautiful bowl of their own, they are much safer than freestanding candles. And with black candles such as that with the depth of a dusk scent also available, there is something to complement every interior style too.

Scented diffusers

Scented diffusers, are ideal for supporting the main fragrant you choose for your home. They release their fragrance slowly, the scent encouraged to dissipate through the room by your movement. Delicately fragranced, they don’t overpower with concentrated scent in one area but moving them around occasionally can help to spread their delightful scent.

Making a pet-friendly Airbnb home with hallway storage

Families come in all shapes and sizes. While some couples have kids in tow, other Airbnb guests will have their dog-children with them. Just as you would make your rental family-friendly, you need to consider how to make it pet-friendly. And coming up with hallway storage ideas is a great place to start.

Why the hallway is important

In terms of dog ownership, the hallway is probably the best place to store dog walking accoutrements, from dog leads to toys with reclaimed wood furniture bringing function and beauty to the space.

Dog bowls and other essential items

For the dog owner, travelling light can sometimes be problematic. Dogs can come with just as much paraphernalia as travelling with a small family. And so providing some of the basics is helpful.

Dog owners suggest things like water bowls and food bowls means they don’t have to bring them from home. And while most pooch parents travel with plenty of ‘muddy towels’ for use after walking and swimming in the sea or the local lake, they would also like to see old towels for use with dogs, something that many Airbnb rentals provide.

Washable soft furnishings

To attract guests, you want to show just how great your place is to stay whether that is a holiday with the dogs or an overnight stay with work. No matter who your guest is, cleanliness is crucial, and your next guest won’t be too keen on finding dog hair attached to the bed covers.

Washable soft furnishings are clearly a wise investment. When it comes to the entrance of your home, washable hallway rugs are a great move (great for getting rid of the dog ‘smell’) but also perfect for adding colour. A hallway runner is ideal for trapping dirt and dog hair, so it doesn’t travel through the rest of the home.

Hard floors are also better when you have the intention of welcoming guests with their prized canines. Easier to sweep and mop, they are certainly much better for not swallowing time in terms of cleaning. While you can wash carpets, this isn’t an easy thing to do if you plan on doing it often.

Hallway storage

From a hook for dog leads to a tall chest of drawers to hide away the obligatory ‘poop bags’, ball and ball thrower, frisbee, whistle and everything else you need to keep a dog entertained, the hallway is a great place for it to be stored out of the way. It also makes sense because as guests and their dogs arrive and leave, they can grab what they need for the next adventure, canine treats included.

Shoe and boot storage

Many dog walkers will have a specific set of footwear for walking the dog which means hallway shoe storage is important. From dog-walking boots to wellies for wet weather and puddle-splashing with their pooch, the hallway should be the place you encourage them to store them. Hallway shoe storage protects your floors, carpets and rugs from abrasive mud and debris being trampled into them.

The small details

Small details show thought, and so a supplying something like a hallway bench for dog owners to put on and take off their shoes is most welcome. A delightful lamp to illuminate the space is practical as well as welcoming, along with making a fuss of their delightful dog companions.

How to prepare your hallway for Airbnb

Luxe Kensington Reclaimed Wood Console Table

It is the first part of your home that Airbnb guests see, and that makes the hallway an important space. It sets the first impression, and when this is less-than-favourable, it can be hard to claw your way back. Styling and adding beautiful touches will create a beautiful space that gets every rental off to the best start. Here’s how…

Give it a facelift

If your hallway is looking tired and hasn’t enjoyed a fresh lick of paint and stylish wallpaper for some time, now is the time to do it. There are various styles and hallway trends at the moment but choosing one that sits well with the rest of your home is ideal.

But that doesn’t mean you can’t ring the changes. Injecting a little Hollywood glamour into the industrial style, for example, gives a sumptuous lift to the hallway, one that we would certainly encourage.

Storage heaven!

EVERY hallway should be a haven of storage options. Essentially, you don’t want guests – or family or friends for that matter – trooping through your home and across designer flat weave rug in the hallway with their outdoor shoes on.

Thus, hallway shoe storage is a must, as too are plenty of other hallway storage options, such as a hallway storage bench. Consider shelving for bags and other small items, as well as hooks for hanging coats. You might also want to consider a tall, elegant barrel in the porch for wet umbrellas and walking sticks too.

Practical AND uber-stylish

With the practicalities sorted, you can now turn your attention to the fun styling stuff: the sumptuous visual details that appeal and draw people in.

Frankly, if there is one piece of hallway furniture that does this, it is the narrow console table. The beauty of reclaimed wood furniture sells itself, but when you want to add more than a hint of luxury, there are various reclaimed wood furniture console tables that pack a serious punch. The Kensington console table, with a metallic leg finish, is perfect for fusing glamour with industrial style or, if you want to add a bit more in the storage with extra shelving, the Maddox industrial console table fits the bill. If you have room, a leather armchair next to it can help to complete the whole look.

Appeal to all the senses

With your hallway visually appealing, you need to appeal to other senses too – and one sense that comes into action straightaway when walking into a home is the sense of smell.

Smell can be both appealing and off-putting. Residual ‘living’ smells are usually a turn-off – wet dog, for example, is not welcoming, and neither is a damp or musty smell.

Thus, making sure you neutralise these smells and replacing them with ‘sweeter’ ones is critical as part of forming that all-important first impression.

As well as plug-in diffusers and other shop-bought fragrances, you could also consider adding cut flowers in a delightful vase. As well as releasing a beautiful scent – opt for in-season flowers such as daffodils in the spring and roses in the summer – they also add colour to the hallway. Place them in a prominent position on the hallway console table next to the lamp, and you have the hallway setting that is both welcoming and very, very stylish.