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Freshen Up Your Dining Room to Savor Meals More
If drive-through dining or a TV companion is your daily deal, you might just need a dining room worth spending unhurried time in
One of the great benefits of living in an older home is that most have a formal dining room. In some homes this is in addition to an eat-in kitchen or a breakfast nook, and in others it is the sole place in the home to dine. There's something wonderful about having an entire room devoted to enjoying meals. I'll be honest, we don't use ours nearly enough — meals on the run or in front of the TV (gasp) shortchange our dinner experience too often.
One of my goals this year is to enjoy more meals at our dining room table. Not just the big dinner parties, but typical weeknight dinners deserve time in this room, too. We eat more slowly and actually taste the food. We connect and linger as we discuss the day's events.
Take a peek at some inspiring dining rooms that call for a long meal where nobody rushes off to take care of the dishes.
One of my goals this year is to enjoy more meals at our dining room table. Not just the big dinner parties, but typical weeknight dinners deserve time in this room, too. We eat more slowly and actually taste the food. We connect and linger as we discuss the day's events.
Take a peek at some inspiring dining rooms that call for a long meal where nobody rushes off to take care of the dishes.
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So many older homes have gorgeous arched doorways like this one. This dining room echoes the curve of the doorway in the table and chandelier. Round tables are typically thought of for a breakfast area, but there are formal options like this that make for a more intimate setting in a dining room.
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by SFGIRLBYBAY
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| Mixing chair styles in the same color is a safe way to get an eclectic mix while keeping a consistent look. The oversized chalkboard on the wall is perfect for displaying the evening's menu for dinner parties. |
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| The dark walls in this room would be dramatic in the evening, but the large window provides natural light and creates a very different feel during the day. I love the bright blue chairs that keep the room from feeling too heavy. Also, notice that the shelving houses wineglasses and dishes. This is a good option when you don't have room for a large hutch. |
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by Emily McCall
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| I love how this farmhouse table is paired with Panton chairs. The crown molding and built-ins look gorgeous against this tranquil paint job. Accents are kept simple, and the brightest bit of color in the room comes from the draperies. |
by MuseInteriors
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This room uses neutral wallpaper, drapes and chairs to create a peaceful atmosphere. Using whites, creams and grays makes the space a blank slate for splashes of purple. This room serves as a great backdrop to ever-changing accents and holiday decor — if you like changing your dining room with the seasons, a similar palette would be a great idea.
by Heather Freeman
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This is my own dining room. I wanted to use wallpaper to create a focal wall, but when I realized the cost of custom paper, my plans quickly changed. I actually created a homemade stencil to create this Moorish-style tile pattern on my wall and used a paint pen to trace the pattern. Four of my favorite pictures from a botanical book were framed for pretty and inexpensive art.
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by Restyled Home
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This dining room is bright and playful, yet so put together. The oversized light fixture works well with the white wire chairs. Using several shades of blue in the same space gives depth to the room.
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| Sometimes it's hard figuring out how to fill a blank wall in your dining room. A gallery wall of plates is a great way to fill the space and add color. See how to hang a plate collection |
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If you have a smaller dining room and no room for a liquor cabinet, a tray or a cart like this is an affordable solution; guests can help themselves to beverages.
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| This Michigan farmhouse has charming wood panels that create a rustic feel. I love how the owners added the oversized mirror and propped it against the wall. The wildflower-filled vases are simple and work with the mood. This room stays true to the age and style of the house, yet it feels relevant and chic. Here's to our dining rooms and the extended dinners that are served in them! Tell us: What are you doing to freshen up your dining room? More: 10 New Looks for Fireplaces in Older Homes Make the Most of Your Entryway Modernize Your Old Kitchen Without Remodeling |
Ideabook published on July 18, 2012.
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