12 Tips for Creating a Cosy Country Dining Room
Mix wooden furniture and comfy seating with decorative lighting to create a welcoming spot for relaxed dining
Continuing our country style series, we look at ways to create a dining room with a warm, rustic feel. Use these tips to make your space a cosy retreat in which guests will want to linger.
More in this series 12 Tips for Creating a Cosy Country Living Room
More in this series 12 Tips for Creating a Cosy Country Living Room
Add impact with feature lighting
An overhead light can create a focal point for your dining room. Aim for a traditional feel by hanging a chandelier over the table. Seek out an upcycled or renovated version, as these are often more cost-effective.
Use clear glass LED bulbs to ensure you maximise the effect of any reflective glass or crystal. It’s also a good idea to add a dimmer switch, so you can control the ambience of the room.
An overhead light can create a focal point for your dining room. Aim for a traditional feel by hanging a chandelier over the table. Seek out an upcycled or renovated version, as these are often more cost-effective.
Use clear glass LED bulbs to ensure you maximise the effect of any reflective glass or crystal. It’s also a good idea to add a dimmer switch, so you can control the ambience of the room.
Employ mirrors to magical effect
Mirrors amplify natural light to brighten a dining room during the day and add soft, reflective impact in the evening.
A large mirror placed on a mantel or sideboard will also visually extend the feel of a dining room. The mirror here reflects the hallway and makes the space appear much larger.
Check out more country dining rooms on Houzz
Mirrors amplify natural light to brighten a dining room during the day and add soft, reflective impact in the evening.
A large mirror placed on a mantel or sideboard will also visually extend the feel of a dining room. The mirror here reflects the hallway and makes the space appear much larger.
Check out more country dining rooms on Houzz
Dine in the heart of the home
You don’t have to have a separate dining room to enjoy formal meals. This open-plan kitchen-diner allows easy access between the cookspace and the table, but the upholstered chairs give the space a more luxurious feel. Upright beams provide a rustic division between the two zones.
You don’t have to have a separate dining room to enjoy formal meals. This open-plan kitchen-diner allows easy access between the cookspace and the table, but the upholstered chairs give the space a more luxurious feel. Upright beams provide a rustic division between the two zones.
Fit sheer blinds for simple shade
Period properties with large windows benefit from plenty of light. The only drawback is when there’s too much glare, or when the sun damages wooden furniture.
Rather than installing heavy curtains that have to be closed all the time, consider using voile roller blinds. Easy to operate, these give a no-fuss look and allow you to reduce glare and sun damage without blocking out the full view. Partner these with dress curtains for a traditional look, or use them on their own, as here, for a more modern country feel.
Period properties with large windows benefit from plenty of light. The only drawback is when there’s too much glare, or when the sun damages wooden furniture.
Rather than installing heavy curtains that have to be closed all the time, consider using voile roller blinds. Easy to operate, these give a no-fuss look and allow you to reduce glare and sun damage without blocking out the full view. Partner these with dress curtains for a traditional look, or use them on their own, as here, for a more modern country feel.
Use foliage for special occasions
When you need to add some decoration to your dining table, make the most of nature and bring in some flora from outside.
Gather twigs and leaves during a countryside ramble, or go for cut flowers from the garden. You can use them in abundance, but remember to make sure there’s no risk of fire.
When you need to add some decoration to your dining table, make the most of nature and bring in some flora from outside.
Gather twigs and leaves during a countryside ramble, or go for cut flowers from the garden. You can use them in abundance, but remember to make sure there’s no risk of fire.
Lay durable stone flooring
Stone flooring is often associated with modern design, but it’s been around in traditional country architecture for centuries. Consider it as an alternative to wood or carpet. Although it might cost more, the upkeep is relatively easy and, if it’s installed properly, it should last a lifetime.
If your budget allows, consider fitting underfloor heating to ensure your dining room is cosy rather than chilly.
Stone flooring is often associated with modern design, but it’s been around in traditional country architecture for centuries. Consider it as an alternative to wood or carpet. Although it might cost more, the upkeep is relatively easy and, if it’s installed properly, it should last a lifetime.
If your budget allows, consider fitting underfloor heating to ensure your dining room is cosy rather than chilly.
Dare to be dark
Every dining room comes into its own at night, when dark drama takes over and low lighting kicks into play. Don’t be afraid to embrace the feel of a moody dining room, as it will create a cocoon of comfort during the winter months.
If you have overbearing panelling, paint it in a contemporary tone in an eggshell finish to update it. For a heritage look that won’t cost a fortune, look for second-hand, dark wood furniture and have it reupholstered.
Discover how to make dark walls work in your home
Every dining room comes into its own at night, when dark drama takes over and low lighting kicks into play. Don’t be afraid to embrace the feel of a moody dining room, as it will create a cocoon of comfort during the winter months.
If you have overbearing panelling, paint it in a contemporary tone in an eggshell finish to update it. For a heritage look that won’t cost a fortune, look for second-hand, dark wood furniture and have it reupholstered.
Discover how to make dark walls work in your home
Revel in comfortable seating
Make your guests feel relaxed and comfortable by including top-notch upholstery in your dining area. Choose chairs that are comfy enough to sit on for a good few hours and cover them in stain-proof fabric.
The chairs pictured here have the perfect shape, with a well-padded seat and upholstered back support.
The upholstery is easy to clean in the event of a spillage and the darker tone makes it easier to cope with any small stains.
Make your guests feel relaxed and comfortable by including top-notch upholstery in your dining area. Choose chairs that are comfy enough to sit on for a good few hours and cover them in stain-proof fabric.
The chairs pictured here have the perfect shape, with a well-padded seat and upholstered back support.
The upholstery is easy to clean in the event of a spillage and the darker tone makes it easier to cope with any small stains.
Finish off with quirky features
A dining area is a space where you can have a bit of fun. Think laterally and add an eclectic element to your finishing touches. Here, a collection of china plates in similar colours gives a contemporary twist to the traditional idea of hanging crockery.
A dining area is a space where you can have a bit of fun. Think laterally and add an eclectic element to your finishing touches. Here, a collection of china plates in similar colours gives a contemporary twist to the traditional idea of hanging crockery.
Slot in a sideboard
Include a sideboard in your dining area or, if you have limited space, opt for a narrow console instead.
This will allow you to display interesting objects to add a touch of character, and will provide an extra serving surface. A sideboard with drawers allows you to store cutlery and table linen, which will free up cabinet space in the kitchen.
Include a sideboard in your dining area or, if you have limited space, opt for a narrow console instead.
This will allow you to display interesting objects to add a touch of character, and will provide an extra serving surface. A sideboard with drawers allows you to store cutlery and table linen, which will free up cabinet space in the kitchen.
Install a square table where space allows
If you’re lucky enough to have a large, square room, make the most of your space by using a similar-shaped table, rather than a traditional rectangle. A square table offers a more relaxed alternative, with diners being able to talk to everyone easily and pass the gravy without incident!
Have you given your dining room a country look? Or do you prefer contemporary style? Share your thoughts and ideas in the Comments below.
If you’re lucky enough to have a large, square room, make the most of your space by using a similar-shaped table, rather than a traditional rectangle. A square table offers a more relaxed alternative, with diners being able to talk to everyone easily and pass the gravy without incident!
Have you given your dining room a country look? Or do you prefer contemporary style? Share your thoughts and ideas in the Comments below.
A traditional fireplace can look wonderful in a country dining room. However, consider its inclusion carefully, as guests seated directly in front of a roaring log fire could end up more roasted than the joint.
Ensure you have plenty of space between the flames and the table, or choose a gas fire alternative to allow you to control the heat and still enjoy the look.