Which Style Are You? 6 Ways to Furnish Your Dining Room

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If you’re after a dining space that’s as warm and welcoming as it is functional, then the first step is to choose furnishings that will help family and guests feel relaxed in their surroundings, whatever time of day. From the table and chairs to the lighting, and not forgetting the all-important decorative details, such as rugs and cupboards, there are lots of decisions to be made. In fact, with so much choice available it can feel a little daunting, especially when you’re trying to bring all these elements together.

So, where should you start? Firstly, measuring the space will give you something to work from and acts as a guide when choosing furniture – plus, you’ll be able to exclude items that are too big. When selecting other, smaller elements, try starting with a piece that you’re particularly fond of, or perhaps that you already own, and use that as a starting point from which to coordinate the rest of your scheme.

Don’t worry if you’re not feeling super confident – we’ve called upon the experts at Calligaris for their advice and they’ve put together a list of different dining styles, so you can indulge in your decorating desires without getting it horribly wrong. Read on to find out which style suits you…

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1. Minimal: Light Tones and Warm Materials

Minimal styling is defined by regular shapes and discrete colours. It is considered a ‘prudent’ style, particularly well suited to those who are perhaps scared of overdoing it with too many details. However, the risk with minimal decor is that we end up creating an impersonal, cold space. “We can avoid this by paying attention to small details”, says Massimo Cian, Calligaris style and design manager. “For example, we’ve chosen a wood and tempered glass dining table: understated yet warm.” This has been paired with wraparound style chairs that invite you to take a seat. And don’t forget the walls: make the most of them by adding a dash of colour and warmth with graphic works characterised by clean lines and vibrant, yet understated colours.

Calligaris

2. Vintage: Sophisticated Details and Intense Colours

Over the last few years, mid-1900 style materials, colours and lines have made a huge comeback. This kind of look is recommended if you want to create a sophisticated yet cosy ambience, through the use of elegant materials and fabrics, such as brass and velvet, and intense colours, such as dark greens, blues and burgundies. The example shown in the photo uses a large rug to bring the whole room together whilst adding a soft texture. To create a vintage style, you should avoid using patterns that are too loud, steering more towards plain fabrics that elegantly enhance carefully selected metal surfaces.

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3. Informal: Welcoming and Elegant

If your dining area is located within an open space that also includes the kitchen and living room, its style should be informal yet well-finished: welcoming with refined details.

This is because, being half-way between the stove and the sofa, it’s imperative that your dining space seamlessly integrates with both styles. “To achieve this balance, we can use metals, such as steel, which are suited to both contexts”, says Cian. In the example in the photo, the metal surfaces of the table and chairs elegantly enhance the space as a whole, which is still fairly informal and therefore in perfect sync with the simplicity of the kitchen.

Calligaris

4. On-Trend: Current Materials and Colours

Love keeping up to date with the most recent trends? Well, why not ride the wave of the latest styles in your dining room, embracing them with a pinch of irony, but never forgetting the importance of balance. Take marble for example, a material that has recently stormed back into the limelight within the world of interior design. Of all the colours available, millennial pink is a great one to experiment with: it has freed itself of its ‘girly’ image and looks fabulous paired with brass, another huge trend.

To finish, lighten the overall look with white details, such as the legs of the dining table and, of course, the walls. “We would steer away from adding other pastel colours to avoid a ‘babyish’ look”, says Cian.

Calligaris

5. Traditional: Reassuring and Comfortable

Who says that traditional is boring? On the contrary, it can be dynamic, interesting, and reassuring, all at the same time. We’ve prioritised the use of wood, combining its unprecedented warmth with soft yet bright tones. In fact, light is a fundamental element for a pleasant meal. That’s why we recommend positioning your dining table near a window and combining natural light with some form of artificial light. For the optimal result, install a pendant light above your table, and, if you don’t have a suitably located socket, why not embrace the exposed cable trend and move your light to exactly where you need it. However, avoid putting floor lamps next to the table as they could clutter the surrounding area or get in the way when people are getting up and down.

Calligaris

6. Neutral: Versatile and Interesting

And last but not least, if you want to create an elegant yet understated dining space that blends seamlessly with its surrounding context, neutral colours are the way to go, such as grey, sandy or brown tones. In terms of fabrics, we’ve experimented with textures that are pleasant to the touch, such as velvet, and we’ve also given in to the comfort of padded seating. Unobtrusive to the eye, a neutral dining space is comfortable and classy. Note that neutral doesn’t mean casual or unkempt, so make sure that you don’t neglect all the essential ‘side’ elements. A low shelf adorned with an elegant vase of flowers and a unique floor lamp are the perfect way to bring the whole room together with a subtle yet attractive twist.

More: For more information on Calligaris, visit the company’s website to find a retailer near you.

This story was written by the Houzz Sponsored Content team.