Decorating your dining room with style

The dining room is a major part of most homes because it's where everyone gathers. Here you will spend time with loved ones enjoying tasty food, so it's important to really love the space. If you are decorating your dining room, here are some style tips from the very beginning to the final touches:

One of the most visible parts of your dining room is the walls. They are a blank canvas for you to set the tone of the space. Do you want a romantic atmosphere with darker hued paints? Or perhaps you want to bring some light into the room with creamy pastels. You could even paint a focal wall one bright color and leave the rest neutral. Modern style, for example, may require one bright red wall and the rest a light grey or white. Remember, this sets the color palette for the rest of your furniture and accessories, so be sure of your choice before you break out the brushes.

You can decorate a room all you want, but it won't be cohesive without the right furniture. Start with choosing a dining table that fits the room's size. Do you want one that is round, square or rectangular? If you plan on having over a lot of guests, look for one with a leaf that you can add to the middle. Bar tables are popular for apartments because they are tall and make a dining room feel more like a cafe or a restaurant. Look for a wooden one in a stain color you like, or opt for metal and glass instead. This will be a focal piece of the room so make sure you find one that fits your aesthetic. Then, add chairs that fit the proper height of the table. They should be similar material to the table or completely different if you want a mixed look.

Besides color and the comfort of the furniture, lighting really sets the mood of the room. Think about what you use the dining room for when deciding on light fixtures. For example, do you often enjoy romantic dinners? Consider using a dimmer switch and chandelier for ambiance. If you work in your dining room, you'll also need a brighter option, like recessed lights or additional lamps. Track lighting is also great because you can use it to feature specific parts of the room, like the table or artwork on the wall.

The final stage of decorating your dining room is adding personality and mementos. Place a vase full of lovely blooms on the table and hang family photographs or lovely landscapes. Fill the hutch with your favorite china and add trinkets to the fireplace mantel that show your travels or other fun aspects of your life. This is where you can really give the room personality so don't be afraid to try something new. You can even add a colorful rug to draw attention to the eating space and give the room a larger feel.