Dining Room Decor: Make it Informal and Inviting

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Fussy, formal dining rooms that are only used on holidays and special occasions are a thing of the past. Today’s families want to live in every square inch of a home that is inviting and comfortable, and a casually decorated dining room can be just as stylish as a formally decorated one, while practical enough to use every day. Shift the focus from fine china and starched linen to warm, colorful and functional furnishings with a decorative approach that fits your lifestyle.

Get inspired by looks you love: French country, Tuscan vineyard, cottage, country, contemporary, Asian and exotic themes are a few places to begin when thinking about creating an inviting palette and motif for a casual dining room. Browse your favorite stores or the Internet and be influenced by the incredible array of casual dinnerware that may be the basis for your decorative decisions. By choosing dinnerware first, you’ll be able to use those colors and themes when deciding on wall color, casual linens, table and wall accessories, furniture, fabrics and window treatments, and it will be easier than you can imagine to pull the room together. 

Step 1

Choose Comfortable Furniture
Don’t feel pressured to buy dining room furniture in ‘sets’; mix classic elements to define your style. A wooden farmhouse table and comfy cushioned chairs invite family and friends to linger over dinner or coffee. Top it off with a wrought iron or ceramic light fixture and bring in a few vintage pieces of furniture, such as a buffet, server or hutch. Go for a cottage look by painting a few pieces of furniture. Or add a taste of French country flair with black furniture in a casually distressed finish. If you prefer, buy a table, chairs and one side-piece from the same line and bring in a few complementary vintage or new pieces to make the room look eclectically stylish.

Step 2

Everyday Table Options
Put the fine linen away and choose washable table covers, placemats and runners that coordinate with your dinnerware and the colors and theme of the dining room. Bring in rich vibrant color that looks warm and welcoming. Pick out colorful, sturdy china with bright themes like roosters, sunflowers, farmhouses, and patterns that create texture and interest, and complement it with colored glassware. Home goods stores carry a wide variety of everyday flatware in colors and finishes that will easily coordinate with your choices. Make sure that everything you choose can go into the dishwasher or washing machine without a care.
Little touches like napkin rings, a pretty pitcher full of flowers, and candles make everyday a special occasion and are easy to use. Pretty patterned fabrics can be used for seat cushions over rush or wooden chair bottoms, or reupholster dining room chairs in a casual fabric that matches your theme. Use spray-on fabric protector on cushions and upholstery to make it easy to blot up everyday spills.

Step 3

Decorative Accessories
When choosing accessories for your walls and tabletops you’re hardest decision might be what to leave out. There are so many options available for every style of dining room, including paintings and prints, wrought iron wall art, candles sconces, wall planters, plates, and wall mirrors. Elegantly scrolled wine wall racks add style and practicality with a vineyard flavor. Use the top of a server or buffet as the basis for a focal wall by mounting a large wall mirror or painting above and clustering coordinating accessories below.

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