Dining room must-haves

Dining rooms are not just meant for people to eat together, it is also a space where people get to bond. It is, thus, important to decorate the room with elements that infuse a sense of warmth and increase appetite while appealing at the same time.

Ideally, there are things you need in your dining room that include a dining table, crockery, and napkins, among other basics. There are, however, some not-so-basic necessities, which are still essential to give your dining room a complete look. They include:

Lighting: An ideal dining room needs a fancy light positioned at a central place. Place a fancy mirror on the wall facing the lighting for the reflection to accentuate the overall look of the room. With proper arrangement, lighting plays a big role in the ambiance of the room. If you can, install dimmer switches so that you are able to adjust the intensity of lighting to alter the mood of the room depending on the occasion. The lights do not always have to hang above the dining table at the centre; wall sconce and lamps too, can add warmth to the room.

Centrepiece: A bare dining table is off-putting regardless of how beautiful or expensive it is. If a table is meant to make us full, why should it be empty? A bare table is unwelcoming. Displaying some outstanding centrepieces offer a pleasing and welcoming atmosphere. Scented candles, flowers in a vase or a fruit basket will add warmth and inject life to the space. If you can, avoid plastic/artificial flowers as they tend to take away the sense of beauty and class.

Wall art: Just like an empty table is unwelcoming, an empty wall has the same effect. Decorate your wall with some eye-catching wall-art. It doesn’t necessarily have to be something related to food; a family portrait, an elaborate painting or murals will allow your wall to speak of your hospitality. Wall art adds colour and gives your space some life. Apart from their appeal, mirrors also add dimension, enlarge the room and reflect the lighting.

Rug: A tasty rug will create an anchor in your room. They make your dining experience more peaceful since they also reduce the noisy footsteps, the irritating movement of chairs and the noise of tapping spoons and forks. Rugs offer a relaxed and cosy feel to the space. Ensure your rug is bigger than the table and chairs together. It should allow some 20 inches more

Curtains: Beautiful drapes lend warmth, softness, ambience and luxury to any space. You definitely want to dine in a room that offers a sense of comfort and cosiness. Choose curtains that blend with the décor and whose colours stand out and reflect your style.

Having these items in your dining room gives it a majestic atmosphere. You can always change the centrepiece and curtains to blend with the season.