The dining room becomes presentable

The dining area is the hub of the home. What could be nicer than sitting down at the table after a long day, dining together and having a sociable chat? But the dining room is also where people read, celebrate and sometimes even work. To make the time with your partner or family as relaxed as possible, a harmonious environment is important in addition to a cosy place to sit. In short: the atmosphere must be right!

Particular attention is paid to the dining area, because it has a significant influence on the atmosphere of the room. It comes in different shapes, sizes and materials. Wooden top or glass table? Modern or rustic? Many people opt for a dining table made of solid wood, for example oak, walnut or beech. It fits into almost any style of living and radiates a cosy warmth and comfort. Oiled real wood tables look particularly natural. However, regular re-oiling is necessary to seal the wood pores and prevent them from drying out. In addition, a freshly oiled table is easier to wipe clean and stains have no chance of taking hold in the wood. If you like easy-care or already have a dominant wooden floor in your home, you will find your favourite specimen in a dining table made of plastic, metal or glass!

When buying a new table, however, it is not only the look and feel that play a role, but also aspects such as the space available and the space requirements. In other words, the size and shape of the table depend on how many people live in the household and how many square metres are available. For square rooms, a round or square dining table is ideal, for rectangular rooms an oval or rectangular shape. If you have little space, you should avoid a bulky table and opt for a plain tabletop with filigree legs. For a two-person household that likes to invite friends or family over for dinner, an extendable dining table is worth its weight in gold.

Matching chairs also belong to the table. When buying, pay attention to the height of the table, as the models differ slightly. If the chairs are too low or the table too high, seating comfort may be restricted. Therefore, be sure to try it out beforehand! Good upholstery guarantees that family members and guests can sit comfortably for long periods of time. If you have wooden chairs, you can make yourself comfortable on cushions. When it comes to appearance, many people go for uniformity. Those who like it more lively can also combine different colours (and even chair shapes). In any case, there should be enough legroom and freedom of movement at the table.

Rectangular tables can be combined well with benches. This is particularly practical if guests are visiting frequently. In addition, the bench can also be used as a storage surface for short periods of time. The all-round piece of furniture is available in many versions, with or without backrest, in light or dark wood, as an upholstered or leather bench, with wooden or metal feet. Everyone is guaranteed to find a version that integrates well into the existing style of living.

A beautiful carpet under the dining area provides an extra dose of cosiness and good acoustics in the room. It also protects the floor from scratches. An unusual rug can greatly enhance even a discreet dining room. It is important that it is the right size, i.e. significantly larger than the tabletop. Rule of thumb: the chairs should be easy to pull out and not be pushed over the edge when standing up. If you choose durable and easy-care materials, there will be fewer problems if something falls on the floor while you're eating. Synthetic fibres such as polyacrylic and polyamide or a short pile wool carpet are uncomplicated. A particularly harmonious picture is created if the carpet picks up the colours of the walls or the chair cushions.

There are many possibilities when it comes to wall design. White or light grey walls radiate clarity and space. They also have the advantage that almost any piece of furniture can be combined with them. If you like it more colourful, you will find a large selection of different wall colours in many nuances in the shops. Especially in open-plan rooms, a coloured wall can visually separate different living areas from each other. Wallpapers also range from simple designs to unusual patterns. If it suits the furnishings, wiping, spackling or glazing techniques are also an option.

If that is not enough, glass or metal pictures, collages with family photos, postcards, wall tattoos, canvases or framed paintings can be placed behind the dining table. There are no limits to creativity. Unsure of the format? For a long table, it can be rectangular and horizontal in width. Behind smaller dining tables, square pictures or several small pictures from the same colour family also look good. The motif and colours can be based on the rest of the furnishing style or make a contrasting statement.

A sideboard, sideboard or similar piece of furniture near the table offers storage space for glasses, coasters, place mats, tablecloths or napkins and can also be used as a temporary storage area for drinks and food that cannot be placed on the table (especially at larger meals or family celebrations). Ideally, the piece of furniture should be placed on the side of the room facing the kitchen so that long distances can be avoided. But it can also function as a room divider in open-plan living areas. Plants, vases, travel souvenirs, photo frames or other decorative objects on the piece of furniture offer both residents and guests something to look at.

If your dining room is very small, a serving trolley can be useful. It is suitable for storing bottles, glasses, pots and much more. The trolley is available in various sizes and materials, such as wood, metal or plastic. Even foldable models are available on the market. Because you can easily move the serving trolley from A to B, you gain space at the table and are flexible.

The right lighting ensures good lighting conditions at the table and can be a real eye-catcher itself! It is not easy to find the right dining room luminaire, because there is a huge selection. Essentially, a distinction needs to be made between basic lighting and accent lighting.

• Basic lighting: Above the table, track lighting, cable systems, ceiling spots or pendant lamps are ideal. Pendant luminaires should be height-adjustable and end at least 60 cm above the table so that the person opposite is not obscured by the lamp. If you have a long table, it is best to choose an elongated lamp or several individual lamps. With dimmable light, you can adjust the brightness to your needs. For example, more light is needed for reading the newspaper than for eating.
• Accent lighting: Wall luminaires, picture lights, dimmable ceiling spots, table luminaires or LED strips behind cupboards create a beautiful atmosphere. Warm white light is particularly cosy. You can achieve a harmonious overall picture by basing the table and wall luminaires on the design of the other dining room luminaires.

Whether it's coffee with the neighbour, Sunday breakfast with the partner or handicrafts with the grandchildren - the dining room is the social hub of the home. This is where life is lived! With stylish furniture, matching wall colours, the right lighting and individual accessories, this place becomes the successful centre of your home.