Canadian Home Trends Kitchen & Bath/Holiday 2013 | Page 22

Eileen’s Design School

how-to design your

Dining Room
Text Eileen Marshall | Photography Scott Shipley

A dining room is a special place in our homes. It needs to function well and look
appealing and inviting at the same time. I’ve compiled a few simple steps to help
successfully design your dining room.

Create a stylish look

soft vs. hard lines Keep a

space balanced by using both soft and
hard furniture shapes. Consider using
upholstered chairs, draperies and an area
rug to create a softer look.

ambience A perfect way to create

ambience, especially in a dining area is
with colour, pattern and texture on the
walls and/or ceiling. This is a great way to
add drama.

colour It is a proven fact that certain
colours can affect our appetite. Keep
in mind red and orange stimulate the
appetite whereas grey, black and brown
do the opposite.

Make it functional
scale The dining table is one of

the main features in a dining room
and therefore should be scaled
correctly to fit the size of the room.
The number of chairs around the
table should then be scaled to the
table. Once the main furniture pieces
are in place, it is easy to see what
other furniture items are required and
where they can be positioned (i.e.
hutch, China cabinet etc.) It will also
give you a good indication as to the
size and location of the area rug.

function Functionality is key in

a space. Depending on the size and
shape of your area, you may decide
on a rectangular table for a longer
and narrower room as opposed to a

circular or square table in a square
shaped space. Seating needs to be
comfortable and space between each
person needs to be considered.

practicality Ensure the chairs

are not too low or too high for the
dining table and that they are not
undersized for the average person. It
is important they are also sturdy and
robust, to avoid accidents. If you opt
for fabric seats, it is prudent to have a
durable and easy-to-clean material.

style Choose whatever style fits in with
the rest of your home (i.e. traditional,
arts and crafts, transitional or country.)
Mixing furniture pieces can create an
interesting look as opposed to purchasing
a complete dining room set.
focal point As with any space, a
room should have a focal point. This could
be a crystal chandelier, a decorative
floral arrangement or a colourful piece of
artwork.
finishing touches There is

nothing more stimulating and exciting
than seeing a fully laid and decorative
table with napkins, tablecloth, glassware,
crockery etc. (not to mention the
anticipation of a fine meal). It is these
finishing touches and the final details that
cumulate into a ‘complete dining room
experience’.
Space Shown Designed by, Michael Abrams,
www.michaelabrams.com

Browse our Dining Room Gallery
www.CanadianHomeTrends.com/dininggallery