7 Dining Room Design Fundamentals for a Stylish Home
Hey there, culinary maestros and social butterflies! So, you’ve mastered the art of whipping up a perfect soufflé and shaking up a mean martini, but what about crafting the ideal dining space? We’ve got you covered! Just like following a recipe, designing your dining room is all about proportions, placement, and a dash of personality. So, grab your measuring tape (and maybe that martini), and let’s dive into everything you need to know to create a dining room as fabulous as your hosting skills!
Furniture Placement
When arranging your dining space, give your furniture some breathing room. Aim for a 30-to-36-inch clearance between the big pieces. In tighter spots, a snug 18-to-30-inch clearance will do the trick. And hey, don't forget that sweet 24 inches of space around your dining table – trust me, your guests will appreciate the extra dancing room during your fabulous soirees.
Chair to dining table ratio
When it comes to dining room design, comfort and conversation go hand in hand. One of the key elements to consider is the spacing between your guests. Have you ever been at a dinner table where you felt either uncomfortably cramped or oddly distant from your fellow diners? Neither scenario is ideal for a relaxed and enjoyable meal.
To create the perfect balance, aim for these measurements:
Chair seat width: Allow approximately 24 inches of space for each guest's chair seat. This provides ample room for comfortable seating without feeling confined.
Space between chairs: Maintain a minimum of 6 inches between chairs. This gap ensures that guests can easily move their chairs and have some personal space without feeling too far apart.
Pro tip: Your chairs should easily slide under the table. Watch out for chair arms and table legs that may become an obstacle. Typically, dining chair seats are 22-25” deep overall, and dining tables are typically 28” high from the underside to the ground. Save yourself the mistake and calculate ahead of time.
Dining Seating
You know we love to mix and match! Seating doesn’t have to be limited to one chair style all around. Make a statement with contrasting head chairs or save some space in a tight area and use a bench on one side.
RUGS
They're not a must-have, but rugs can certainly tie a room together! Opt for something properly scaled and low-pile or flatweave for cleanability and ease of chair motion.
Allot for 36 inches from the edge of your table to the edge of your rug. On average, you will need a rug with a minimum width of 8 feet. You don’t want your chairs to fall off the rug when someone tries to get up from the table! And don't forget to give it some breathing room—keep a foot of space between the rug and the walls.
Pro tip: Don’t disregard the option to use an outdoor rug for even easier cleanability!
Want the down-low on all things rugs? Head on over to our Rugs 101 article.
Lighting
You can utilize lighting for function or finesse. Chandeliers, pendants, sconces, and table lamps - the options are endless! Use our lighting guide to find the pieces perfect for your space!
Consoles/Credenzas
Your console table or credenza should be at least as tall as your dining table, if not a tad higher. This way, everything looks balanced and well-placed. Consider what you will need to store and if you need drawers or shelves. Don’t forget if you opt for drawers, you’ll need the space to open them up!
Artwork
Last but not least, let's add some personality to those walls! Whether you're a fan of one statement piece or a gallery wall extravaganza, aim for artwork or a mirror that's about two-thirds the size of the adjacent table. And hey, rules are made to be broken, right? So, if you stumble upon a stunning oversized piece, go for it!
