Whether you are newlyweds, or a family who has just moved into a new house, or someone whose house needs updating, there is nothing more fulfilling and satisfying that being able to decorate or vamp up your own place. They say that there is no place like home, and of course, home can only truly feel like one if it makes you feel secure, comfortable, and at peace.
Obviously, this implies that your interiors have to make you feel like you belong. No matter how ostentatious your house designs are, if they don’t feel like YOU, you can never be completely happy and at home. Your choice of interiors and furniture can definitely go a long way when it comes to determining the level of comfort and happiness you’ll feel in your very own home. Furniture, in particular, can really set the mood or the atmosphere in a room. Your choice of style, color, and material can either do damage to or light up the entire room.
Let’s talk about dining room furniture. The dining room is one of the most important parts of the house. This is the place where people dine together and convene as a family or a group of friends, and strengthen relationships and bonding through meals or casual get-togethers. Therefore, your choice of dining room furniture is very important.
Formal dining room sets, in particular, are great for entertaining guests for smarter, dress-up type occasions. Whether it’s a graduation party, or an intimate gathering that makes use of formal utensils and table settings, choosing the right formal dining room sets does a lot to set the right mood within the group. This is also where place settings take their cues from. In fact, you could say that they form the foundation of a great-looking dining room setting. If all is in place with your tables and chairs, then your guests should have no problem feeling comfortable when they come over.
There are different kinds of dining room furniture, which is basically a dining room table, complete with the chairs and the entire set-up. For more formal occasions, a dining room table is best to purchase, which can be installed right in your main dining area. Choose a brand that is made of wood for durability and longevity. For a more casual take on dining and mealtime moments, kitchen tables are best. These come in various shapes and sizes, and can be customized according the number of people you would like to seat. For smaller groups, you can consider going for pub tables.
Criteria for Buying
Now, let’s talk about the general criteria to consider when it comes to buying specifically formal dining room sets.
The first factor is design. Now while a lot of people are antsy or fussy about designs, keep in mind that it is not always best to choose designs that are ostentatious and eye-catching. Remember that your dining tables have to fit right into the space you are placing them into, and not stick out like a sore thumb. Less is more, so keep it simple. The best way to choose the right design for your home should be based on the type of mood you want to set, relative to the mood the rest of your house already sets.
Color coordination works sometimes, but if you want your dining table to stand out with a personality of its own, you don’t have to choose one that matches the color of your carpet exactly – just as long as it’s not too gaudy. The main focus of the dining area is the eating of the meals. Don’t let your dining room table distract your guests, family, friends, and loved ones from a wonderful meal at home.
However, while your table doesn’t necessarily have to match the colors of your walls or other items in the house, they must certainly match the chairs, servers, and cabinets. These are the more predominant areas of your dining area, and you have to make sure that even though these items are not of the same color, they must at least be a few shades close to the hue you have chosen for your dining table. Color coordination still plays a very important role in mealtimes, as the overall goal is to encourage people to do what they are supposed to do in the dining area – to eat a good meal.
A specific type of color coordination that would apply directly to woodwork is stain matching. This is simply making sure that your dining room table’s woodwork matches your existing woodwork. If you are confused about which exact color you want to get to make sure that you don’t get a shade that throws you off the original woodwork you have in your dining area, look at each stain design carefully – you should actually be able to figure out the different colors that comprise it, and you will most likely come up with brown, red, and orange, which are the most common colors. Consult your local carpenter or painter if you are still unsure.
Customization
Finally, the last criterion is customization. Now, of all these tips, this is probably one of the best to keep in mind. You see, no matter how amazing your formal dining room set may be, if it doesn’t look good in your house, it will never fit in with the rest of your furniture. Make sure you canvass different stores and brands carefully, letting your eyes do all the observing. It would be good to take raw pictures of your dining room at home without the furniture, taking close-up shots of panels, cabinets, and floors as much as possible so that you can compare products with those that you already have at home. Never be afraid to ask for help if you are unsure of which product to buy or which specs to look for. It is better to consult someone who knows what he’s doing than end up buying the wrong dining room furniture and having to return it again, therefore wasting time, energy, and resources. Learn how to take measurements to make sure that your dining room set will totally fit into your dining area.
Customization requires you to know the sizes you want for your dining area (as you can probably have it as big or as intimate as you like, depending on what you need). Never go into a furniture store without measurements, as this will be a waste of time for both yours and the store’s part. Also, do not be tempted to compromise fit for design. Understandably, some designs will appeal more to you than others, but if it doesn’t contribute to the overall feeling of belonging and comfort in the home, chances are, buying it would be a grave mistake to make. Therefore, before you make that trip to the shop, get that measuring tape out and take down notes -you’ll find that it will save you from a lot of doubting or extra trips home later, as you will be confident about the sizes you need for your home.
As each house is different, this should just be a general list that you should go through – keep your own unique standards in mind and add those along to the list, as you will have varying needs that may not be covered by those general criteria. For first-time house decorators, this task can be, while exciting, also very daunting and challenging, as the thrill usually wears off when you are halfway into the project and you start questioning whether you chose the right woodwork or the right tables and chairs to go with your dining area.
Apart from all these tips, a good idea would be to come up with a vision of your own prior to canvassing or looking around for sample tables and chairs. You should know what you would like to see in your dining room first. This eliminates a lot of prospects, and you will be able to narrow down your selection, based on your house’s specifications, your own personal needs, and your budget.
Don’t worry if you don’t find the right dining tables and chairs right away; for some people, it takes a longer time to find the perfect set. Don’t be discouraged or resort to rash decision-making and impulse buying just to appease your state of frustration -you will only end up regretting this in the end when you actually see something that you like. Instead, focus on the end goal and getting everything right and sorted before making your choice.