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Setting the Scene: Soft Furnishings in the Dining Room
Bring warmth and character into the dining room with these fresh decorating ideas
When you think soft furnishings, I’m sure the brain runs straight to the living room – cushions, a beautiful rug, softly draped curtains, cosy throw blanket – thinking of needing a nap yet? Sorry, there’s no time for napping, because there’s a whole room waiting for you to add your character and charm in textile form.
Soft furnishings are not just limited to the living room or bedroom, you can also look at incorporating textiles into your dining room to emphasise drama, add rustic charm or create a calming space. With the increasing trend to entertain at home more often, as opposed to going out, the dining room is really becoming a central part of the home. It’s where we all come together and enjoy good food and company, so what better place to incorporate some beautiful fabrics and styling ideas? Whether you’re looking for DIY projects or ideas on what to source, here are a few options to consider.
Soft furnishings are not just limited to the living room or bedroom, you can also look at incorporating textiles into your dining room to emphasise drama, add rustic charm or create a calming space. With the increasing trend to entertain at home more often, as opposed to going out, the dining room is really becoming a central part of the home. It’s where we all come together and enjoy good food and company, so what better place to incorporate some beautiful fabrics and styling ideas? Whether you’re looking for DIY projects or ideas on what to source, here are a few options to consider.
Rugs are wonderful ‘zoning’ tools for open-plan homes. If your dining area is not a separate specified room, why not look to create a zoned dining space through the use of a rug (or several rugs together for a bohemian style of look)?
Again, a rug big enough to include the whole dining setting, and a bit extra on the sides, helps to give the sense of space, and picking something that is warm, inviting and textural is important to create a scene you want your family, and any guests, to gravitate to.
Again, a rug big enough to include the whole dining setting, and a bit extra on the sides, helps to give the sense of space, and picking something that is warm, inviting and textural is important to create a scene you want your family, and any guests, to gravitate to.
Include striking art
Perfect for a vast dining space, or for rooms with high ceilings, adding a striking piece of art can bring the dining space together and centralise the setting.
Look for something that uses colours you love, and which you can draw from to use in furniture and accessories to bring the theme of the room together.
Find out how to create your own at-home gallery
Perfect for a vast dining space, or for rooms with high ceilings, adding a striking piece of art can bring the dining space together and centralise the setting.
Look for something that uses colours you love, and which you can draw from to use in furniture and accessories to bring the theme of the room together.
Find out how to create your own at-home gallery
Use a table runner for casual chic
For spaces with clean lines and simplistic styling, you can’t go past a humble table runner. It provides a central focus for everyday styling and serving.
Table runners can be a great DIY project, and the material and colour options are endless. What you choose can determine the feel of the dining room – whether it is a rich tapestry with tassels for a luxurious space, bamboo for an outdoor oasis feel, or bright linen for a fun and lively living space.
For spaces with clean lines and simplistic styling, you can’t go past a humble table runner. It provides a central focus for everyday styling and serving.
Table runners can be a great DIY project, and the material and colour options are endless. What you choose can determine the feel of the dining room – whether it is a rich tapestry with tassels for a luxurious space, bamboo for an outdoor oasis feel, or bright linen for a fun and lively living space.
Create drama with curtains
The presence of striking floor-length curtains can really emulate a dramatic style within the dining space. The colour, length and sheer volume of the curtains will affect the overall look. Curtains also help frame the entire dining setting, which adds to the opulence. I love how this Art Deco-style setting has been complemented by the simple, but voluminous, curtains. The lines are clean, the colours are warm, and it’s an inviting space in which to entertain.
See more of this beautiful Point Piper home
The presence of striking floor-length curtains can really emulate a dramatic style within the dining space. The colour, length and sheer volume of the curtains will affect the overall look. Curtains also help frame the entire dining setting, which adds to the opulence. I love how this Art Deco-style setting has been complemented by the simple, but voluminous, curtains. The lines are clean, the colours are warm, and it’s an inviting space in which to entertain.
See more of this beautiful Point Piper home
Change your napery to change the mood
One of the easiest ways to change the look and feel of the dining room is with the simple napkin. The fabric choice, styling and placement can instantly dictate the occasion.
I love to have a few types on hand for entertaining – I tend to use neutrals for everyday and bright patterns for when the weather warms up. Always make sure you buy/make enough for an entire table setting plus a few extras. That way if any get stained beyond repair, it won’t compromise your set.
One of the easiest ways to change the look and feel of the dining room is with the simple napkin. The fabric choice, styling and placement can instantly dictate the occasion.
I love to have a few types on hand for entertaining – I tend to use neutrals for everyday and bright patterns for when the weather warms up. Always make sure you buy/make enough for an entire table setting plus a few extras. That way if any get stained beyond repair, it won’t compromise your set.
Think about placemats
I’m a big fan of placemats, especially if you own a beautiful wooden dining table and want to show it off while protecting it. They are casual, yet also formal in that they create a designated place for your table settings, while adding colour and texture to your dining space.
I do love a traditional linen placemat, but I’m also in love with those that are woven from the likes of bamboo and even plastic. The texture of the weaves add true character to a table setting.
I’m a big fan of placemats, especially if you own a beautiful wooden dining table and want to show it off while protecting it. They are casual, yet also formal in that they create a designated place for your table settings, while adding colour and texture to your dining space.
I do love a traditional linen placemat, but I’m also in love with those that are woven from the likes of bamboo and even plastic. The texture of the weaves add true character to a table setting.
Try tablecloths
The simple tablecloth can really transform a dining room. It truly is that thing about flicking out a fresh linen cloth over the table that symbolises a family dinner or get-together.
Pretty feminine lace, like used on this dining table, adds beautiful whimsy to a dining room. The fact that it only slightly hangs over the edge, creates a casual tone as well. It’s light, airy and delicate. Light linens can also give a similar effect. A country gingham or plaid is perfect for providing a nostalgic feel to a dining room, while a heavy brocade or damask gives a sense of traditional opulence.
The simple tablecloth can really transform a dining room. It truly is that thing about flicking out a fresh linen cloth over the table that symbolises a family dinner or get-together.
Pretty feminine lace, like used on this dining table, adds beautiful whimsy to a dining room. The fact that it only slightly hangs over the edge, creates a casual tone as well. It’s light, airy and delicate. Light linens can also give a similar effect. A country gingham or plaid is perfect for providing a nostalgic feel to a dining room, while a heavy brocade or damask gives a sense of traditional opulence.
For a dramatic aesthetic, opt for a floor-length tablecloth for your dining room.
In the case of this country-chic dining space, the owners have chosen a soft ivory linen tablecloth to use underneath a second, finer, gauze-like cloth. This provides more texture and volume over the table and, in turn, creates quite a sophisticated look.
In the case of this country-chic dining space, the owners have chosen a soft ivory linen tablecloth to use underneath a second, finer, gauze-like cloth. This provides more texture and volume over the table and, in turn, creates quite a sophisticated look.
Consider chair coverings for a change
To soften a dining space without covering the table, you can look at covering the chairs. Just like in this space, you can forge a casual beach house atmosphere simply by incorporating a two-tone stripe chair cover. You could also play with colours and styles, depending on the occasion. Lighter colours are going to give the room the illusion of more space, so my recommendation is to stick to neutral fabrics and minimalist patterns.
To soften a dining space without covering the table, you can look at covering the chairs. Just like in this space, you can forge a casual beach house atmosphere simply by incorporating a two-tone stripe chair cover. You could also play with colours and styles, depending on the occasion. Lighter colours are going to give the room the illusion of more space, so my recommendation is to stick to neutral fabrics and minimalist patterns.
A tailored style of cover helps to create a country estate feel. Combined with a beautiful rattan rug to frame the dining table furniture, this room has the perfect balance of texture and form. A simple colour palette and a focus on the detailing on the cover can create a tangible dining scene, perfect for special occasions or even day-to-day eating.
BONUS TIP: If you’re handy with a sewing machine, covers like these are a great weekend project to tackle. And making your own allows you to choose exactly the colour and style of fabric you want to match your dining space.
BONUS TIP: If you’re handy with a sewing machine, covers like these are a great weekend project to tackle. And making your own allows you to choose exactly the colour and style of fabric you want to match your dining space.
Make a feature of the dining room chair
Who said you couldn’t have a plush upholstered dining chair around your dining table? To add an eclectic sense of grandeur to your dining room, try reupholstering a number of different-style vintage chairs or choosing a couple of feature chairs to sit at the ends of your table. The fabrics don’t need to match either, you can have fun mix and matching prints, stripes and textures.
This beautiful and feminine dining room, designed by Emily Ruddo, incorporates gorgeous velvet studded chairs as the feature. They instantly fill the space with colour, energy and a great sense of individual style. You can’t help but feel happy in this space.
Who said you couldn’t have a plush upholstered dining chair around your dining table? To add an eclectic sense of grandeur to your dining room, try reupholstering a number of different-style vintage chairs or choosing a couple of feature chairs to sit at the ends of your table. The fabrics don’t need to match either, you can have fun mix and matching prints, stripes and textures.
This beautiful and feminine dining room, designed by Emily Ruddo, incorporates gorgeous velvet studded chairs as the feature. They instantly fill the space with colour, energy and a great sense of individual style. You can’t help but feel happy in this space.
Go over-the-top ornate
Textiles really can exude a warmth and theatricality in a dining room. Take this beautiful room, for example. The soft sheer curtain creates a beautiful backdrop to the space, while the ivory curtain, draped to one side, provides the dramatic element. It’s positioned in such a way to be echoed through the statement mirror, highlighting its volume. Each chair is beautifully upholstered in a rich gold brocade. Specific and individual styling pieces are brought into the space to complement the look, and overall colours are kept to a minimum.
Textiles really can exude a warmth and theatricality in a dining room. Take this beautiful room, for example. The soft sheer curtain creates a beautiful backdrop to the space, while the ivory curtain, draped to one side, provides the dramatic element. It’s positioned in such a way to be echoed through the statement mirror, highlighting its volume. Each chair is beautifully upholstered in a rich gold brocade. Specific and individual styling pieces are brought into the space to complement the look, and overall colours are kept to a minimum.
Create a sense of calm with colour and pattern
By sticking to a monochromatic colour palette, like this gorgeous dining room in the Hamptons, you can create a subdued dining scene.
The patterned rug is the focal point of the room, and while the upholstered chairs are not in the same pattern as the rug, they are similar in tone and complement the styling beautifully. As do the curtains in the background. The powder blue accents tie the look together and the result is a very well-thought-out room.
I love that the chairs are upholstered according to their position around the table and are a mix of pattern and solid fabrics. It’s a subtle detail, and it works really well in this space.
By sticking to a monochromatic colour palette, like this gorgeous dining room in the Hamptons, you can create a subdued dining scene.
The patterned rug is the focal point of the room, and while the upholstered chairs are not in the same pattern as the rug, they are similar in tone and complement the styling beautifully. As do the curtains in the background. The powder blue accents tie the look together and the result is a very well-thought-out room.
I love that the chairs are upholstered according to their position around the table and are a mix of pattern and solid fabrics. It’s a subtle detail, and it works really well in this space.
Add focus with fabric pendants
If keeping your dining room clean, sparse and structured is more your style, then you could look at incorporating a feature light fixture above the dining table. The beauty of fabric shades is their infinite choice of patterns and textures, and they look just as amazing turned off, as they are turned on.
When considering size and shape, take note of the room you have to work with and how high your ceilings are. Maybe two smaller shades side by side will suit your space better than one large pendant in the centre?
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We’d love to see a photo of how you have used soft furnishings in the dining room – just attach it in the comments section.
MORE
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Indulgent Dining Rooms: 12 Elegant Designs to Inspire You
If keeping your dining room clean, sparse and structured is more your style, then you could look at incorporating a feature light fixture above the dining table. The beauty of fabric shades is their infinite choice of patterns and textures, and they look just as amazing turned off, as they are turned on.
When considering size and shape, take note of the room you have to work with and how high your ceilings are. Maybe two smaller shades side by side will suit your space better than one large pendant in the centre?
SHOW US
We’d love to see a photo of how you have used soft furnishings in the dining room – just attach it in the comments section.
MORE
12 Ways Perfect Illumination Can Make a Dining Room Light Up
How to Make a Formal Dining Room Feel Welcoming
5 Questions to Answer Before Planning a Dining Room
Indulgent Dining Rooms: 12 Elegant Designs to Inspire You
Such a great way to instantly add warmth and character in the dining room is with an oversized rug. I recommend looking for one that runs under the entire dining setting – this proportion gives a great sense of space in the room. Reupholstering, or choosing chairs that also complement the rug can bring the theme of room together. You can have a lot of fun with colour and pattern, just like in this gorgeous setting.