Love the Home You Are In: Dining Rooms

Loving the home you are in, even if it’s not the ‘dream’ house you’ve always longed after, is more achievable than you might think. It’s about embracing the space you are in and making the best memories by using it to its full potential. 

The key to loving the home you are in? It’s what you choose to do with what you have right now—but that’s not the same as making do! The little things that transform bricks and mortar into your home; the personal elements that reflect your own life and passions. Think of your dream house, be inspired by the vision you have in your mind’s eye, and apply that perspective to the house you have now.

As we approach the winter months and festive period of the year, now is the perfect time to start focussing on your dining room—or, indeed, the dining area of your kitchen or living room. The days are getting shorter and colder, we’re starting to spend more time indoors… these are the months we tend to host more dinners with friends or sit down for longer family dinners. The dining room or dining kitchen is front and centre.

So, whether you’ve just moved into a new property or you simply want to shake things up in the house you’ve lived in for years, here are some simple tips for loving the home you are in and creating the perfect dining room.

Repair minor faults or annoyances

This is incredibly dull, but you’ll feel so much better when you fix those little things that irritate you. Wobbly door handles, squeaky floorboards, old light switches and power sockets, imperfect skirting boards or tired paintwork… After a while, we just tend to live with things, even when they drive us mad. Set aside a day of two to address these home improvement issues, then you can tackle the more interesting things with undivided attention.

Make it functional

Style of design should ideally reflect the intended purpose. Otherwise, you end up with something that looks fantastic but is little use in real life. This is fine for certain decor and accessories. When it comes to the dining room, however, you want it to be functional and comfortable. If it’s not, it will simply cause irritation and dissatisfaction. This doesn’t mean you have to forgo aesthetics, it just means that you have to carefully consider the practicalities of your design choices. Will they work when put to use? Bear this is mind at every step and you’ll be fine!

Good lighting

Never underestimate the impact of lighting. Too bright—you’ll feel stressed and unrelaxed. Too dark—you’ll never find the gravy. Harsh artificial light can make the warmest and most beautiful of rooms feel ‘cold’ and uninviting. Go for soft, subtle lighting every time. Ideally, dimmer switches for your ceiling lights (and wall lights, if you have them), and a few candles to achieve the perfect cosy ambiance. Play around with the light and you’ll soon find what works best for you and the room.

Table treatments

Hate your current dining table but don’t want to buy a new one? You could transform it with some chalk paint—it’s amazing, and there’s no need to prep the wood. Or you could buy a beautiful tablecloth. They are becoming increasingly popular again, and there such a great variety out there, including oilcloth, delicate linen, and runners. No matter what your table look likes underneath, you can make it look incredible by dressing it up with quirky or traditional tablecloth, napkins, place settings, candles, and a centrepiece or selection of floral arrangements. Quick, simple, inexpensive.

Mix and match

Mixing and matching styles can be incredibly effective. Perhaps you like traditional designs but don’t want your dining room to feel too formal—why not add some modern, contemporary, or quirky elements like vintage chairs with a modern table, or delicate country elements with industrial chic? It doesn’t have to be one of the other. If you like something and it makes you love your home that little bit more, you’re on the right track.

Accessorize

Time to bring in your personality with art, candles, plants and flowers!  Whether it is a beautiful painting or photography adorning a wall, a collection of frames on a side table or a fresh bouquet of blooms, give your guests something delightful to rest their eyes upon and bring the space together. Plants – big or small brighten up any space and literally bring more life into a room. Bringing nature indoors can transform a room or space in an instant.

Clyde Property is a leading independent, multiple award winning estate and letting agent with 30 years’ experience in selling and letting property in Scotland. Just call your local Clyde Property branch today, for friendly, impartial advice on finding your next dream home.