Our preferences for eating spaces are changing: some favour a separate dining room; others prefer a combined open-plan living and kitchen space. Both options have advantages: a separate dining room works well for more formal occasions such as Christmas, while more casual gatherings can be hosted in a main living space.

Dining rooms

Separate dining rooms can look inviting with specialised furnishings, decorative light fittings, and more detailed wall and window coverings. You want to create a room which feels and looks used.

Your largest surface will probably be the table: it needs some form of decoration. I always suggest a table runner down the centre, or placing a decorative tray or basket on the table. These items trick the eye, making the table appear more intimate.

Arrange a couple of vessels on the table, either empty or filled with foliage. Living plants and fresh flowers put energy back into a room. Adding some candles – either in candlesticks or glass hurricane lanterns – lets you bring in some contrasting colours, as well as extra texture, fragrance, shape, with contrasting materials and heights.

Open space

The more open concept dining and entertaining space will have a lived-in atmosphere; use floor rugs and furnishings to demarcate zones within your room.

Lighting is a major component to create ambience in your open plan area. Consider installing dimmers for overhead lights, and placing a number of lamps around your room. Guests will feel comfortable and relaxed mingling into the kitchen area, perhaps around a central island or peninsula counter, including the chef in all conversations.

If space permits, another option is using a partially separated alcove, large enough to hold a table, with room to expand if required. Built in banquette / bench seating along one or more walls (often seen in restaurants) is worth considering, it takes up less floorspace and can be designed with concealed storage.

It all comes down to personal preference and lifestyle.

Published in the November 2023 Issue of The Trentham Trumpet