The Press-Dispatch
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How to furnish your dining area Modern homes look a bit different than those of generations past. Rath- er than several small rooms divided by walls, modern homes offer open-concept floor plans. That means the boundaries between spaces are not so defined, allow- ing rooms and activities to blend into one another. Formal dining rooms may or may not be part of the current home layout with regard to new construction. Many home- owners now gravitate toward kitchens with adjacent breakfast nooks that uti- lize large islands with stool seating that open up to family rooms. These layouts can make it more challenging for home- owners to figure out how to furnish their dining areas — however casual or formal they may be. Individuals can use these tips as a springboard for selecting the right pieces in their homes, no matter where they enjoy their meals. CONSIDER THE SCOPE OF THE ROOM Is it a dining room or a dining area? This will help determine decor and the formality of the pieces of furniture need- ed to outfit the room, according to The Spruce, a home renovation resource. If the room is a multi-purpose space, con- sider furniture that can serve different purposes, such as a table that has fold- down portions to change its size depend- ing on the number of people dining at a particular time. You may want to include an armoire to store linens and stash away pens and note pads for making shopping lists. DINING TABLE The dining table is the foundation of a dining area. A fter all, people need to have somewhere to sit and eat. Remember to measure the dimensions of the room carefully, as furniture can look much smaller in warehouse stores or furniture showrooms than in a home. Consider a round or square dining ta- ble, which tend fit into rooms more eas- ily than rectangular tables. Plus, these shapes are more conducive to conversa- tion. Rectangular tables often leave peo- ple at the ends out of the chat. SEATING Seating can affect the ability to move around the room. If space is at a premi- um, some narrow-profile chairs are a better option than larger, upholstered wingbacks. Homeowners may consider a wooden or upholstered bench on one side of the dining table to maximize seat- ing during family events. LIGHTING Pottery Barn suggests using a mix of lighting sources to create the right light- ing needs in the space. Floor lamps, an overhead chandelier, wall fixtures, and natural light need to blend and be adjust- ed as needed. Also, choose an overhead chandelier that complements the shape of the dining table. For example, a round fixture will look best above a round table. RUG An area rug can help define the dining space and set it apart from other areas in an open-concept home. An area rug also adds warmth and color when a wood ta- ble meets a wood floor; otherwise, it may look too stark. Homeowners must take various fac- tors into consideration when decorating a dining room. Size, purpose and style are just some of the things that merit am- ple consideration before furnishing a din- ing space. Make a dining room more elegant for entertaining The kitchen may be the heart of a home, but when it comes to en- tertaining, a dining room — if one is present in a house — tends to be the prime gathering spot for meals. Dining rooms may not be top on the list of spaces to renovate, as they tend to be used infrequently. But a dining room makeover may still be a worthy endeavor. Here are some simple ways to make the din- ing room more elegant and func- tional. • Clear out the clutter. The first step toward improving a dining room eating area is to remove any extraneous items from the space. If the dining room table is not used very often, it likely has become a catch-all for other items, such as bills, newspapers or kids' home- work. Rather than using the din- ing space as a makeshift office or homework station, invest in a roll- ing cart to store those papers and other items. Simply roll it into a closet or another room when it's time to host a party. • Hang a statement light. Few decorative items add as much dra- ma and ambiance to a dining space as a new overhead light. People hear chandelier and think a be- jeweled or crystal design. But var- ious chandelier styles can fit the aesthetic of a home. The light will be a focal point and instantly make the dining area more elegant. In- stall the light on a dimmer to ad- just the illumination as needed to set the mood. • Invest in new linens. Purchase coordinating table linens that will be used for special occasions. A decorative table cloth or table run- ner coupled with cloth napkins and placemats helps to set the scene of the dinner party. • Add a piece of artwork. Ma- ny modern homeowners have es- chewed the China cabinet that once was standard in dining rooms. Rath- er than a bulky piece of furniture, a large piece of statement-making artwork or framed photos over a more minimalistic buffet table or small service bar is preferable. Choose artwork that complements the colors in the space. • Include a centerpiece. Center- pieces add sophistication to the ta- ble and tie into the event. Floral arrangements, a bowl or basket of fruit, pine cones or greens from outdoors, or collectibles like shells in a tall canister can serve as cen- terpieces. There are many simple ways to dress up dining spaces and make them more elegant. Key components of three popular home interior styles Considerable thought goes into designing a home's in- terior. From which color to paint the walls to the size of the living room couch, home- owners must make a variety of decisions when planing their home interiors. One way to simplify inte- rior design decisions is to choose a style. Interior de- sign styles run the gamut from traditional to modern, and each style has its own unique look and feel. Though homeowners need not feel beholden to any particular item associated with a given style, three of the more pop- ular styles, traditional, mod- ern and farmhouse, each have certain key components that can ensure a home ends up with a look homeowners are aiming for. 1. TRADITIONAL Homes with a traditional interior style give a formal yet welcoming feel. Many individuals associate crown molding and wainscotting with traditional interiors, so that's something home- owners aiming for this style should keep in mind. Min- imal or modern furniture pieces don't fit with the tra- ditional style, which tends to utilize period pieces made from real wood. 2. MODERN Modern interiors may dif- fer depending on which style of modern homeowners are aiming for. Midcentury mod- ern typically features unique furnishings that some might see as retro. However, many companies now offer updat- ed takes on midcentury mod- ern that call to mind a bygone era but don't make individu- als feel as though they're liv- ing in a museum. Urban mod- ern is another popular mod- ern style, and home interi- ors fashioned in this style tend to be light, airy and not crowded with furnishings. Calm, soft tones are a go-to with urban modern interiors, helping to create the serene settings many homeowners are hoping to create with this style. 3. FARMHOUSE Farmhouse has become very popular in recent years. In fact, a recent survey from the interior design service Modsy found that farmhouse was the most popular design style in 26 states. Farmhouse is beloved for a variety of rea- sons, not the least of which is its association with a sim- pler lifestyle. The rustic charm of the countryside is never far from the mind when in a home with a farm- house-inspired interior. Tra- ditional farmhouse and mod- ern farmhouse are different styles, but natural materials and bright colors, particular- ly white walls, are elements shared by both. Traditional, modern and farmhouse are three popular home interior styles. Each has its own unique compo- nents, and homeowners can supplement their favored style as they see fit. E-6 Fall Home Improvement Wednesday, September 28, 2022 The Press-Dispatch