1. CONSIDER YOUR DINING MOOD
'Mood is unique to each person, so ask you yourself if you prefer a dining atmosphere that’s dark and intimate, bright and rambunctious, or quiet and calm?' explains Ben.
2. PICK DINING CHAIRS WISELY
'The duration of dinner parties is a vital part of designing an elevated dining experience. If you’re an entertainer who likes to lounge around comfortably with a brandy snifter in one hand, then time in the dining room might be short-lived before you usher everyone into a second location.'
3. ADD COLOR AND TEXTURE TO YOUR DINING SPACE
'So you’ve picked a mood, and decided on your chair’s comfort level, now what? To execute mood, think of two colors you want to incorporate to evoke that feeling. Fabric is the best way to build an initial color story, but you could gather paint chips or objects too. Even if the room has no fabric, people respond well to tactile colors, physical materials that you can use as an inspiration even if you don’t use the fabrics at all in the space.'
4. BUY PRETTY CROCKERY FOR YOUR TABLE
'The biggest mistake in a dining room is not having dishes that fit with the masterful vibe you have created. A beautiful table with ugly plates is almost like wearing a wedding dress with muddy gumboots. It may seem like a small thing, but it’s the last 10% that can make or break the design, so get the pretty tableware!' says Ben.
5. CREATE A TALKING POINT
'Functionality and aesthetics need to be equally considered, but how do you make the dining table a conversation piece? Grey dining rooms might not make the most interesting talking point, so maybe include one item that is completely outside of your comfort zone,' says Ben.
6. THE FINISHING TOUCH
'The perfect finishing touch to the dining area would be adding flowers or botanicals. These soften the space, give you an opportunity to add color, height and bulk -whatever the table needs,' Ben adds. 'Plus, florals are interchangeable throughout the seasons, including at Christmas, where you can opt for Christmas flower arrangement ideas and some festive blooms to brighten your space.'