How do you fill empty space in a dining room? – is one of the questions our team gets asked on a regular basis.
Yes, a high-quality dining table and chairs are the most obvious answers, but once they have been selected and installed, there is often a lot of empty room left over, making it look bare and incomplete.
FCI London’s top designers have given us some of their hottest tips on how to make your dining space look like a million bucks.
Choosing the right dining table for your dining room
Before you begin filling the gaps, selecting the right dining table is your number one priority. Here are some guidelines to help you make the right decision:
Made to fit:
- Ensure that your table is large enough to seat everyone comfortably while being narrow enough for people to stroll around it with ease.
- If you have an expansive space, a long rectangular table will suit the layout of the room, but if you’re dealing with a small area in a kitchen or nook, get something round or oval with a pedestal-style base so that no one sits up against a leg.
- Round tables are also an excellent way to divide an open-plan room, allowing you to create both a sitting area and an intimate dining space.
Choosing the material:
Picking out the right materials for your table depends on the look and feel you are trying to create.
- To infuse your home with traditional appeal, go with classic wood. Or lighten things up by finding something with a combination top, like the Skorpio Ker-Wood dining table by Cattelan Italia, which offers a beautiful blend of natural wood and classy, marbled ceramic.
- If you have a contemporary lifestyle, select a dining table that will stand out rather than blend in. For maximum impact, combine a glass top with a sculptural base or contrast a solid oak top with a metal, industrial base. We love the Volare extending dining table by Naos.
- Glass dining tables will help optimize natural light, brightening a darker room and creating a sense of spaciousness and vivacity.
What other furniture can I add to my dining room?
Once your feature piece is in place, it’s time to turn your attention to other furnishings. Make sure that whatever you choose matches the size, style and personality of your space.
Here are 3 suggestions to create a sense of cohesivity:
A sideboard:
A sideboard or buffet is a multi-purpose piece that will add flair and sophistication to your dining room while providing much-needed storage space.
Not only does it allow you a place for all your cherished possessions, but it can also be used as a practical serving area if you’re entertaining.
Find one that matches your room’s dimensions – you don’t want it to look lost or overly bulky. The Cosmopolitan sideboard by Bontempi is one of our favorites if you’re looking for something fun and modern.
A display cabinet:
If you have lots of room and would like to show off your crockery or glassware, a display cabinet is an excellent idea.
They are available in various shapes and sizes, so get a shorter one and exhibit objects d’art on top of it or find something taller with a glass front that will house ceramics and ornaments. The Kate display cabinet by Longhi, for example, is small and compact, yet has the capacity to accommodate all of your favorite things.
A banquette:
A banquette or upholstered bench is an excellent way to add more seating to your dining area without taking up too much room. It can also be utilized as a divider to create different zones and will help make a small area appear larger. Some of them come with a storage option, which is useful if you like to keep items like tablecloths and napkins close by.
Have one custom-made to fit or find something gracious like the Elegance Grande banquette bench by Silvano Luxury to give your aesthetics a sense of old-world charm.
Great accessory ideas to fill your dining room space
Aside from key furniture items, accessories are the perfect way to bring personality and charisma to your dining room and will fill in all the remaining gaps. Here are 5 things that will up the ante on the overall look and feel of your space:
1. Add an area rug:
Rugs are one of the easiest ways to add texture, warmth, and character to your aesthetics and will tie the room together beautifully. Select one that covers your floor space in colors that will enhance your furniture and walls. Knot & Loop makes a quality range that can be fully customized – contact one of our designers today to find out more.
2. Focus on lighting:
Lighting is a vital part of your dining room ensemble, setting the overall tone and mood. Soft luminance in the form of floor lamps or wall sconces will encourage intimacy, while chandeliers or pendants add focus and drama. Using dimmers will help adjust the brightness and intensity to suit the occasion. Read our article on contemporary lighting styles for some extra guidelines.
3. Find a mirror:
Make your dining area look larger with a beautiful mirror. They capture natural light, provide extra illumination and create visual interest and depth. Pick one that is proportionate to your room size with an eye-catching frame to match your style.
4. Invest in artwork:
A quick way to fill up empty wall space is to add artwork. It will make a statement, create visual interest and will give your dining room a sense of refinement and well-considered cohesivity. Make sure that whatever you choose reflects the genre of your overall space.
5. Go green:
Biophilic design is one of the hottest trends of this decade, adding wellness, freshness and calm to your home interiors. Find a selection of chic indoor planters and fill them with low-maintenance shrubs that will bring you joy.
