We have all been doing a lot more of this recently and thankfully we are now allowed to enjoy meals with friends and family again. It is so much more pleasurable when dining at home can be made to feel like a special occasion – decorating the table with beautiful cutlery and crockery, placemats, candles and flowers and, to support our hospitality industries, ordering in fine food from local eateries for special occasions.
Morris Homes all have beautifully planned dining areas, whether they are open plan or a separate room – many of our properties boast both to accommodate day to day family living and home entertaining.
Colour in a dining room is key to creating atmosphere and drama. Different colours create different moods for instance, reds are said to stimulate the brain and dark greens and blues feel intimate and dramatic. Lighting is essential to producing the right mood. A row of dimmable pendant lights above the table, soft wall sconce lighting and candles to create pools of light and picture lights to highlight artwork all look fabulous in a dining room.
If you have beautiful table ware and glasses don’t hide them behind closed doors – display them in a glass fronted cabinet that will be a key feature of the room. Mirrors above seating height and opposite windows add reflective light and depth.
Choose a table that is large enough to comfortably accommodate the numbers of people you are used to hosting – tables with leaf inserts are brilliant for adapting seating for celebrations like Christmas. Chairs need to be really comfortable to able to relax and enjoy the food and conversation. Combining benches with chairs is on trend and they have the advantage of providing flexible space and can be covered with cushions or a luxurious sheepskin for instance.
Decorating the table for a dinner party, celebration or a seasonal event really adds to the mood and enjoyment of the event. There is so much inspiration on social media and in glossy magazines – from totally elaborate to pared back and simple. Just make sure there is room for the food!