Renovating
Ask a Designer: How Can I Create an Elegant Dining Area?
Generous, inviting, stylish – traditional settings are about creating a sense of occasion. Here’s how to put the glamour back into dining
Perching at a breakfast bar or gathering around the kitchen table has its place. But to really create a sense of occasion, nothing beats an elegant formal dining space. Think a mix of friends lingering over several courses on comfy chairs amid fine china and glittering crystal, and you’re on the right track. And you don’t need to live at Downton Abbey to create it, as these small but perfectly formed settings show. Upholstered seating, twinkling chandeliers and the thoughtful placing of tableware are enough to create a dining area to die for.
Choose fabulous chairs
These upholstered wing-back chairs are great for intimate dining – I love the thought of being able to have a real one-to-one with the person opposite. The look is kept on the country-chic rather than formal side, though, with simple tableware, soft linen napkins and a worn wooden table that looks as if it could tell a story or two.
These upholstered wing-back chairs are great for intimate dining – I love the thought of being able to have a real one-to-one with the person opposite. The look is kept on the country-chic rather than formal side, though, with simple tableware, soft linen napkins and a worn wooden table that looks as if it could tell a story or two.
Say it with a dripping chandelier
A beautiful chandelier brings importance to any table and it certainly works in this scenario. I love the rustic charm of this dining room, with the delicate floral design of the light fitting adding elegance to the chunky table.
A beautiful chandelier brings importance to any table and it certainly works in this scenario. I love the rustic charm of this dining room, with the delicate floral design of the light fitting adding elegance to the chunky table.
Be intimate with a banquette
Admittedly, this is not as grand as some of the other schemes, but the fitted banquette seating really does give this space a sense of importance, even though it’s a much more sociable scenario where you all fall in together. The chandelier and strong pedestal on the dining table really anchor it and the symmetry of the space keeps it on the smart side of relaxed.
Admittedly, this is not as grand as some of the other schemes, but the fitted banquette seating really does give this space a sense of importance, even though it’s a much more sociable scenario where you all fall in together. The chandelier and strong pedestal on the dining table really anchor it and the symmetry of the space keeps it on the smart side of relaxed.
Gather in a secluded corner
This is truly a decadent little eating spot. It is so perfectly balanced and yet very ornate. The cuteness of the space comes from the inclusion of all the elements of a stately dining room, from a carved wood table to the candlesticks and chandelier, but on a mini scale. The overblown florals and coloured backs on the dining chairs nod to the present day to anchor the look in the 21st century.
Discover 10 ways to tuck a dining area into a small space
This is truly a decadent little eating spot. It is so perfectly balanced and yet very ornate. The cuteness of the space comes from the inclusion of all the elements of a stately dining room, from a carved wood table to the candlesticks and chandelier, but on a mini scale. The overblown florals and coloured backs on the dining chairs nod to the present day to anchor the look in the 21st century.
Discover 10 ways to tuck a dining area into a small space
Make it memorable with a mural
This room is perfectly balanced and exudes a real sense of occasion. I love the mural on the wall, which is intricate but knocked back in charcoal, allowing the tableware to stand out. The blue stemware, dotted amid crystal and silver, keeps the scheme up to date and crisp.
This room is perfectly balanced and exudes a real sense of occasion. I love the mural on the wall, which is intricate but knocked back in charcoal, allowing the tableware to stand out. The blue stemware, dotted amid crystal and silver, keeps the scheme up to date and crisp.
Define with strong lines
Bold lines give this dining area a strong personality and sense of grandeur. I love the generous, upholstered dining chairs and the chunky Tuscan table. The candle pendant is bold, with strong, bronze lines, and I’m sure it would cast the most wonderful warm glow over evening gatherings. This scheme is such a lovely compromise between old and new styles with eclectic pieces thrown in. Perfect.
Bold lines give this dining area a strong personality and sense of grandeur. I love the generous, upholstered dining chairs and the chunky Tuscan table. The candle pendant is bold, with strong, bronze lines, and I’m sure it would cast the most wonderful warm glow over evening gatherings. This scheme is such a lovely compromise between old and new styles with eclectic pieces thrown in. Perfect.
Give glamour a light touch
To create a sense of occasion in a more pared-back way, keep it simple but pay attention to every detail. This setting has all the elements of fine dining, from the crisp table cloth and smart runner to perfectly placed dinner settings and cut flowers, but is really light and fresh. The painted chairs are elegant, and still comfy enough to keep guests lingering long after the coffee has been served.
Learn how to create a fresh tabletop display
To create a sense of occasion in a more pared-back way, keep it simple but pay attention to every detail. This setting has all the elements of fine dining, from the crisp table cloth and smart runner to perfectly placed dinner settings and cut flowers, but is really light and fresh. The painted chairs are elegant, and still comfy enough to keep guests lingering long after the coffee has been served.
Learn how to create a fresh tabletop display
Max out the mirrors
They say you should always eat in front of a mirror to make you eat less and more slowly! But in this case the mirror is doing a more decorative job. This dining space feels large, light and a little glitzy thanks to the huge panel and fun star. Any more mirror and it could tip into overkill, but this achieves the perfect level of opulence before it turns tasteless.
TELL US…
Are you a fan of more formal, elegant dining? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.
They say you should always eat in front of a mirror to make you eat less and more slowly! But in this case the mirror is doing a more decorative job. This dining space feels large, light and a little glitzy thanks to the huge panel and fun star. Any more mirror and it could tip into overkill, but this achieves the perfect level of opulence before it turns tasteless.
TELL US…
Are you a fan of more formal, elegant dining? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.
This room epitomises that city town house style that so many people love and want to achieve themselves. The setting is simple, but it’s the glass pendant that really adds the glamour. Teamed with muted shades of grey and dark dining furniture, it creates that super-sleek, smoky dining look that’s perfect for evening gatherings.