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How to Create a Dramatic Dining Room to Wow Your Guests
Mix high drama and glamorous opulence to create the perfect entertaining space
There’s no better room in which to indulge your dramatic decorating fantasies than the dining room, where you can create a space that’s great for entertaining. Whether your dining area is open plan with the kitchen, or you have the luxury of a separate room, think like a set designer and add some decadent touches to stimulate the senses and create a cocoon where guests will want to linger and chat well into the night.
Go large on wall art
Think beyond the two-dimensional when it comes to your wall art. For big impact, giant illuminated letters work a treat and conjure up a funfair vibe. A subdued wall colour behind will help your signage sing.
Think beyond the two-dimensional when it comes to your wall art. For big impact, giant illuminated letters work a treat and conjure up a funfair vibe. A subdued wall colour behind will help your signage sing.
Be bold with lighting
Think theatrical and opt for multiple, eye-catching pendant lights suspended at different heights. Consider mixing up the colours and materials, too. Alternatively, create your own cluster of vintage shades or customise old top hats – with the help of an electrician – for dramatic pendants on a budget.
See ways to dazzle with cluster lights
Think theatrical and opt for multiple, eye-catching pendant lights suspended at different heights. Consider mixing up the colours and materials, too. Alternatively, create your own cluster of vintage shades or customise old top hats – with the help of an electrician – for dramatic pendants on a budget.
See ways to dazzle with cluster lights
Mismatch your table and chairs
A traditional table with contemporary chairs, or vice versa, instantly adds drama to your dining room. With that rule broken, you’ll feel less rigid about the rest of your scheme, and able to accessorise with an eclectic pick and mix spanning different eras and styles.
Browse more mismatching ideas for dining rooms
A traditional table with contemporary chairs, or vice versa, instantly adds drama to your dining room. With that rule broken, you’ll feel less rigid about the rest of your scheme, and able to accessorise with an eclectic pick and mix spanning different eras and styles.
Browse more mismatching ideas for dining rooms
Add a statement sideboard
There are so many beautiful pieces of dining room furniture, from sideboards to consoles, that work both for storage and dramatic display. Buy a statement piece, or liven up an old favourite with new handles, legs or both.
There are so many beautiful pieces of dining room furniture, from sideboards to consoles, that work both for storage and dramatic display. Buy a statement piece, or liven up an old favourite with new handles, legs or both.
Consider table shape
A rectangular table is the default choice, but a circular or square shape with pairs of chairs on each side can be more sociable if you’re entertaining lots of guests. For maximum impact, make it as big as the room allows, with a statement light that matches the scale of the table.
Before buying, consider creating a paper template using the table’s dimensions to ensure there’s ample room for manoeuvre – and no costly errors.
A rectangular table is the default choice, but a circular or square shape with pairs of chairs on each side can be more sociable if you’re entertaining lots of guests. For maximum impact, make it as big as the room allows, with a statement light that matches the scale of the table.
Before buying, consider creating a paper template using the table’s dimensions to ensure there’s ample room for manoeuvre – and no costly errors.
Use large-scale wallpaper
A big pattern is often more dramatic than a smaller one. If you have the luxury of a separate dining room, consider covering all four walls, but a feature wall can also work well.
If you’re tempted by dramatic pattern but want a more restrained look, try breaking up the walls with a dado rail and paint the top part in a shimmering block shade.
A big pattern is often more dramatic than a smaller one. If you have the luxury of a separate dining room, consider covering all four walls, but a feature wall can also work well.
If you’re tempted by dramatic pattern but want a more restrained look, try breaking up the walls with a dado rail and paint the top part in a shimmering block shade.
Stash the drinks
An elegant retro drinks cabinet is one thing, but how about a hidden bar area? Convert a cupboard by adding a built-in fridge and mirrored wall with glass shelving to show off your spirits, or alternatively use an antique screen to create a separate zone.
TELL US…
Love a dramatic dining room? Share your ideas and photos in the Comments below.
An elegant retro drinks cabinet is one thing, but how about a hidden bar area? Convert a cupboard by adding a built-in fridge and mirrored wall with glass shelving to show off your spirits, or alternatively use an antique screen to create a separate zone.
TELL US…
Love a dramatic dining room? Share your ideas and photos in the Comments below.
A mirrored wall can be a great way of achieving a dramatic effect – as well as giving the illusion of more space. Cover an entire wall, or just the chimney breast or alcoves, for a truly opulent feel. The addition of a star-shaped mirror on this chimney breast really adds a pow to this room. Tie the look together with glass, silver and other reflective accessories.
It’s the attention to detail that really makes this room work so well, as the vertical lines on the mirrored table edge echo the lines of the dramatic chandelier above.