11 Tips for Creating a Cozy Dining Room

Nov 1

Yesterday, a friend reminded me that Thanksgiving will be here in less than a month! I don’t know about you, but the Holidays always seem to sneak up on me. And the stores have blown right by the Halloween décor and gone straight to Christmas!

This is a time for connecting with our loved ones and for celebrating our blessings. For today, let’s take a breath and concentrate on your Thanksgiving table. …and your dining room.

Here are 11 tips for creating a cozy and stylish room that no one will want to leave.

COMFORT

Do you have enough comfortable seating? You never want to crowd your guests at a dining table and elbow room is important. If your chairs have arms, leave a few inches between each so your guests can move them easily. If there are no arms, it’s best to leave about 12” between chairs.

Table bases can help with seating arrangements. A pedestal or double pedestal table will make seating under it much easier than a table with legs that can interfere with your guest’s comfort.

Try to allow enough rug space behind the seats to pull your chairs in and out without catching on the rug. I recommend your rug be at least 24” to 30” larger than every side of your table. If you don’t have the space, it may be best to forego the rug.

The traffic space around your table should be at least 30”. If you have a buffet in your dining room, make sure there is enough space in front of it for guests to move around it and to serve themselves.

ROOM STYLE

As with all your rooms in your home, it’s good to ensure your dining room’s style co-ordinates with the rest of your home. Celebrations and seasons are a great way to change things up without having to recreate an entire room. So, make sure you plan your largest pieces for year-round use.

Don’t try to match every piece within the room. A mis-matched grouping that is coordinated is much more pleasing to the eye.

Using upholstered chairs is the ultimate luxury. If you don’t have the space for all upholstered chairs, consider using them for the two host chairs at either end. This look will elevate the style of your room.

LIGHTING

The light fixtures you choose will help to set the mood you’re going for. Sconces on either side of a buffet or a beautiful chandelier are always welcome additions. Be sure to notice if your fixtures will take dimmable bulbs so you can set the mood for any purpose.

A chandelier should hang within 30” at most from a table's surface. This allows for easy conversation among your guests. If you have a higher ceiling such as 9' or 10', more than 30” is fine also.

ACOUSTICS

Drapery, rugs, upholstered chairs, wall covering, and canvas art will contribute to dampening the sound in your room. Any soft material will aid in achieving an intimate setting.

TABLE SETTING

Setting the table is my creative outlet each year. But, centerpieces should not take over the table. Remember to leave room for your food dishes too! And always use things which have meaning to you and your family.