Do you recognize this scenario? When you first styled and furnished your dining room, you went with a traditional formal look: heavy cherry wood furniture, brocaded wallpaper, chair rails, 3-level glass chandelier, sconces, prints with large gilt-edged frames, glassware and porcelain figurines in the hutch, cloth runner on the buffet, etc. The styling and appearance were right for the time and you were proud of the look of quality and elegance. Times change, however. Styles change, the needs of the family changes, grandkids come along. One day you look at the dining room and realize that it is not being utilized by the family because it is too formal and people are afraid of “messing it up.”
If you spend more on casual get-togethers, especially with children in attendance and upkeeping a formal dining area can be bothersome, then it’s time to change your dining room into a fun, hip place where the atmosphere speaks of warmth, casualness and familiarity.
The dining set is the hardest to let go. For one, it’s probably a very expensive furniture set and knowing the state of the economy, it’s better to put off unnecessary spending. Buying a new dining furniture is not really needed. You can make the formal table and chairs “friendlier” with a change in tablecloth, cushions and an addition of an area rug. It all boils down to the choice of color. Use shades that are lighter or brighter for a casual look. Why not store the candelabras in the meantime? You can take them out every Valentine’s Day for a romantic dine-in experience, so it won’t exactly go to waste.
The wall can do much in creating a positive ambiance, as well as a casual look. You can make use of small, colored frames and pretty artworks. Personalized items like photos can make the room look more welcoming.
The dining room table can be covered in fabric colored to highlight the table as the center of the room. Or the table could be covered with a table pad and then a sheet of glass. Between the glass and the pad you could insert family photos – graduations, vacations, weddings, etc. The dining room table chairs could be recovered in a more casual fabric style, again in colors that match the paint scheme on the walls.
If the floor covering is wall-to wall carpet, that could be taken up and replaced by a casual style of wood flooring. A large area rug could be placed under the table (be sure to allow enough clearance all the way around the table so the chairs will still be on the rug when moved back to allow seating). The area rug colors should tie together the wall colors, the tablecloth colors, and the cherry wood color. If the carpet is to remain, an area rug can still be utilized over the carpet. You can’t change the carpet color or the nap/texture but you can compensate for the carpet color/texture by the right choice of a large area rug.
You can add more decors by displaying some dining ornaments and collectibles. They don’t have to be rare, expensive pieces. Pretty stuff will do. If you have things you deem as special, you can showcase them in a glassware cabinet for all to see. It could make for a great conversation.
Replace the heavy, multi-layered drapes with simpler, one level curtains or sheers. (Make sure that your meals and gatherings are still shielded from the outside. You don’t want to give up your privacy and security.) Get rid of the tassels and elaborate tie-backs. Replace the heavy cornices with simpler rods and window hardware.
Don’t be daunted by the change in theme from formal to casual. It is feasible, especially with the right materials and decors on hand. The colors and furnishings say it all. The important thing is to retain the fun time with loved ones. The family that eats together, stays together.
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