The focal point of your house is most likely your dining room. It’s where you eat, relax, and laugh with friends and family. This has historically been a formal area, but there is no reason why you can’t have it looking stylized but laid back at the same time.
So, what can you do if your dining room doesn’t reflect your ideal vision and doesn’t foster the kind of relaxing atmosphere you desire? Here are five ideas for making your dining area more casual and inviting.
Be practical
When decorating your dining area, it’s easy to focus only on the aesthetics. However, you must also keep in mind the realities of life. First and foremost, you should focus on the purpose of your dining room. For example, if you’ll only be using this area for entertaining your friends, it’ll look quite different than if you’re someone who’ll only be using it only for family. Before making decisions about furniture, arrangement, and décor think about whether your kids if you have any, could use it. Since a lot of us work from home, some use their dining area as an office.
So, consider if your furniture is comfortable enough to sit over a laptop during your working hours. Having the practical uses of your dining room in your mind while you develop the mood board or inspiration will make this area more usable and inviting.
Add an accent of color
When you start designing any room, the first thing on the list is choosing a color palette. The same goes for the dining room. In the event that your dining room serves many purposes, such as being an office and a gathering place for the whole family, neutrals are a good choice. To create a quiet atmosphere, choose neutral colors such as creams, whites, grays, and light woods. The ceiling lights may be dimmed, and taper candles lit to create an intimate atmosphere at night.
However, if you’d like to add some more flair, you should think about adding a colorful pop of color to the neutrals. Color is the first thing on our minds when we think about bringing positive energy into homes. The dramatic burst of color makes an immediate focal point and grounds all of the relatively light tones used throughout. You could do this by hanging up colorful artwork or you could even go all-in by having a patterned wallpaper on the wall. Cushions on the chairs are also a great place for integrating some color.
Mix modern with traditional
One of the biggest hits in the interior design world right now is the mixture of modern and traditional elements and the dining room is the perfect place to incorporate this trend. Traditional design refers to the rustic design evocative of the currently trendy cottage core, while modern design is inspired by the Scandinavian interior design culture. To get the best of both worlds you could pair unique Amish dining room furniture with more modern, simple-looking chairs from Ikea. If you decide to go this way you shouldn’t be afraid of having different shades of wood in the room. It will add your space some depth while also making it more relaxed and inviting.
Rugs add warmth
Finally, adding a Persian rug is one of the easiest ways to make a room seem more elegant. You’ll be amazed by how much character it brings to the space. Not only do rugs generate form and structure to the space but they also provide texture. Another added benefit is comfort – it adds a nice touch of comfort under your feet as you dine. When it comes to the specific color and pattern of the rug, the choice is ultimately yours. The best idea is to look at pictures of other well-designed dining spaces and get inspiration from them. If you’re still lacking ideas, check out this list of tips on how to create a more inspiring home.
Add a window seat
This tip may not be applicable to everyone, but if your home allows you to have a window seat, having one in your dining room is one of the most gorgeous ideas! It will turn your dining area into a haven of tranquility and arguably your favorite place in your house. Just imagine sitting there sipping on coffee and enjoying your book one sunny Sunday morning, while your partner is making breakfast. Couple goals, right? Check out some more interior design tips for couples if you’d like to see other similar ideas.
Wrapping up
Having your dining area perfectly in line with your lifestyle is the main way to make it more relaxed, so before you do any decor shopping think about the practical side. Once you’ve figured out the actual use of the room you should start decorating it with a mix of modern and traditional styles.
Don’t forget to add a pop of color and a rug! Finally, window seats are a great way to make your home look more romantic and relaxed. These five tips are sure to make any dining room look cozier and inviting.
