With Thanksgiving right around the corner (stuffing! pumpkin pie!), I thought it was a good time to share some suggestions on how to design your dining room effectively for entertaining. So much of design is math (or, more correctly, proportion) so having some general guidelines will allow you to make smart decisions.
• When trying to plan how many people can fit around a table, figure at least 24" per person.
• You also need at least 24" from the edge of the table to the wall so chairs can be easily pulled out. Add more if it's an arm chair so that people can get in and out comfortably.
• Mix and match pieces to create more interest. Gone are the days of the dining room "set". Adding pieces in another finish or style are a great way to keep the look fresh.
• Chandeliers should be hung between 33-36" above the top of the table.
• Choose a chandelier at least 12" narrower than your table to avoid the risk of head bumps as guests sit down and get up from the table.
• Use lower wattage bulbs to prevent glare.
• Area rugs should mimic the shape of the table (round tables are best on round or square rugs, not rectangular) but extend about 24" wider than the table on each side.
• You also need at least 24" from the edge of the table to the wall so chairs can be easily pulled out. Add more if it's an arm chair so that people can get in and out comfortably.
• Mix and match pieces to create more interest. Gone are the days of the dining room "set". Adding pieces in another finish or style are a great way to keep the look fresh.
• Chandeliers should be hung between 33-36" above the top of the table.
• Choose a chandelier at least 12" narrower than your table to avoid the risk of head bumps as guests sit down and get up from the table.
• Use lower wattage bulbs to prevent glare.
• Area rugs should mimic the shape of the table (round tables are best on round or square rugs, not rectangular) but extend about 24" wider than the table on each side.
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