Not all homes afford the luxury of a dedicated dining area, this may be a shared area with an informal lounge ,a more casual eating zone in the kitchen, or even an outdoor space, but with a little careful planning with your interior design scheme you may be able to come up with an area where dining is the principal function. A well planned dining area is a place where it is possible to transform the simple act of eating into an extraordinary occasion and to delight in the company of family and friends. A simple checklist may include the following:
- How often will the space be used?
- Do you have access to an outdoor area?
- Do you need to exhibit in the room or have specific storage requirements?
- Is there a view? Consider this when selecting window treatments.
- Will the room be a shared space- family room or study?
- Are your dinner parties formal or informal?
- Is it close to the kitchen? Ideally the dining room should be in close proximity and should have good, clear access.
This intimate space is a place to unwind and make merry, thus it is imperative to create a relaxed atmosphere, as the best dinner parties can find us sitting for extended periods of time, therefore some thought must be given to comfort. When selecting dining chairs aesthetics are important but should not be at the expense of good posture support. Always sit in them before you purchase, what may visually appear comfortable may not necessarily be the case. If you choose an upholstered option, look for good quality, durable and stain resistant fabrics; there are various fabric protection treatments that can be used but most come pre-treated. The same would apply if you are using carpets or rugs in this area as it may be prone to spillage.
Consideration should be paid to heating and air conditioning, for extra comfort you may contemplate a thermostatically controlled environment. If you have an open fire this can be a great focal point but you may want to consider the need for supplementary heating, and if outdoor dining is your thing, there are a number of good space heating options available including, infra-red. Also pay attention to the integration of stereo systems, good background music can really add another dimension to entertaining and dining.
Illuminating this space is paramount, lighting should be layered to create mood and should be soft and atmospheric. When considering general lighting think about direct and diffused options and perhaps a mixture of task and accent lighting. Provision should be made for separate circuits and wherever possible choose dimmable solutions. For more information on lighting visit Lighting design
Dining tables should be generous; round tables are ideal as they offer the ease of communication and eliminate the head-of-table scenario. If your space is long and narrow then an oval or rectangular shape will work better. Square tables usually aren’t that successful but extendable tables offer good flexibility, particularly if the area has to provide shared functions; a dining space off an open-plan kitchen can double as a great kid’s homework area. Consider an antique table with contemporary seating , or vice versa, to add that element of unpredictability A rug under the table helps delineate the space from other areas in the vicinity, you may have a small table backed up to a sofa, this will help as a room divider and assist in the circulation of traffic within the space.
A favourite public area in the home, this is an area to display those special artworks, to generate a spectacle and with the involvement of others to create one of life’s special moments and produce that ‘Joie de vivre’.
In the image above Groth & Sons have created custom built storage for cutlery and dinnerware, it also provides concealment of air conditioning ducting, incorporates stereo equipment, atmospheric lighting, as well as providing a display area to add character and to act as a backdrop to the dining space.
For more dining room solutions, please contact Groth & Sons on 0419 408 988.
