A home hearth means not only a burning fireplace and a cozy bed, but also the presence of a special place for a comfortable meal. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are not just a joint meal for the sake of drowning hunger, but also another way to unite with your family and spend time together. The old folk wisdom says that the beauty of the hut is not only in the corners, but also in the cakes. Fragrant dishes on a beautifully served large table, at which all family members and guests are located, pleasant atmosphere, soft lighting, leisurely conversation - this is what a person really needs to relax. Numerous traditions are connected with the dining room in strong families that bring household members together. The design of the dining area is created not only with an eye on the tastes of the apartment owners, but also taking into account special psychological visualization techniques that can affect the appetite and mood of the diners.About how to beautifully and competently design this special part of the house, and we will talk in this article further.
Traditionally, the dining area is located in the kitchen next to the cooking area. Unfortunately, the housing problem has not been resolved since Bulgakov’s time, and most of the country is forced to cram in tight “boxes” where there is simply no way to allocate a separate room for the dining room. If the kitchenette is very tiny, then the dining area is taken out of it to a more spacious room or even to the balcony or loggia. The latter option is considered non-standard, as the “round table” in the additional room cannot be delivered. Have to be content with a linear layout, as in a cafe, when they sit down to eat at the long tabletop-windowsill, and the chairs are placed in one row. In complex combined versions, the dining area can act as an integral part of a large studio, containing a hall (hallway), a living room and a kitchen. If the designer has at his disposal a spacious cottage or a country house, a cottage, then the dining area finds its place in one of the free rooms.
It is not recommended to place the dining room far from the kitchen. The process of transferring plates with dishes to the table and dirty dishes back to the sink will take too much time, and this is not very convenient and practical.
On the kitchen
The way the dining area is located in the kitchen depends on the size of the latter. An island layout is considered ideal. In this case, the table with chairs is located at an equal distance from the kitchen unit and the walls.It will be convenient for households to approach any place and there is no feeling of “crowding”. If the kitchenette is small, then the dining area is located in the corner, close to the walls. To increase the number of "seats", you can install a static soft sofa (corner). If the family is small, then two or three chairs around the table are enough. When placing the dining area in the kitchen, avoid using large quantities of textiles. It quickly absorbs odors and will require frequent washing.
In very sad cases, when the owners seriously think about what to choose: a refrigerator or a stove, since both units simply cannot fit in cramped kitchen conditions, it is recommended to turn to multi-functional furniture. A folding table and “garden” chairs will be easily assembled and securely hidden in a decorative niche or closet.
In the living room
The dining room combined with the living room is increasingly common. The hall is the largest room in the apartment. Its area allows you to fit not only the main functional area for relaxation, but also to allocate a place for a table with chairs. As for the location of the dining area, its placement near the doorway will be optimal. Food trays do not have to be carried across the room; accordingly, less crumbs and garbage will accumulate in the recreation area. It is possible to carry out zoning actually (furniture, arches) or conditionally (color, light, different textures of the finishing surfaces). Since the dining room is a rather “dirty” area that requires systematic cleaning, it is of course better to separate it with a real “barrier”. If the living room is not as large as we would like, then they use "air" partitions (screens, curtains, low furniture or with through shelves).
In a separate room
A separate dining room, perhaps, became a dream number 2 for every housewife. In the first place is a comfortable kitchen, where there is enough space for culinary maneuvers.A separate dining area allows you to set a large table in the center of the room, at which entire companies will gather comfortably. You can also place a bar, additional furniture for receptions or relaxing after a hearty dinner. In a separate room, the interior can be unique, without regard to the design of adjacent areas. Unfortunately, the opportunity to equip such a dining room usually appears only for owners of private houses. In apartments for the whole room, there is usually no place for meals.
Furnishings
The furniture set will be the center of any dining area. If the dining room is located in a combined room, then when choosing its decor they are guided by the stylistic decision of the neighboring areas. For example, a plastic table cannot be combined with an expensive classic kitchen set. This is a "bad manners", but any furniture should be not only beautiful, but also comfortable.
Dining table selection
On average, the area for one person at the table has a width of 60 cm. This is enough so that the neighbors do not push each other with their elbows in the sides while eating. If someone from the household has non-standard sizes, then this site needs to be increased. Thus, before buying a table, calculate the number of people who will eat daily after him, and multiply it by 60 cm around the perimeter for each. Do not forget to add a “margin” for a couple of guests and remove the useless area at the corners. Countertops can have different shapes: square, rectangular, oval, round. Creative models can have non-standard outlines. From a psychological point of view, sharp corners are best avoided. Even if a square table was chosen, let its edges be rounded. This "softness" of the atmosphere favors pleasant communication and sweeps away internal psychological barriers at the subconscious level. The legs of the table can be located in the corners in the amount of four pieces, in the center in the form of a “pillar” or form two end supports along the edges. The central location is typical for small tables. Classic options have four legs. By type of material, preference is given to:
Solid wood.It is durable, has a rich gamut of natural shades and original drawings. In elite interiors, valuable breeds are used, which cost a tidy amount.
Metal. It is characterized by durability and resistance to mechanical damage, but organically merges only in modern "high-tech" styles.
Glass. It can be transparent or matte, with an etched pattern. The material is durable, because for the manufacture of furniture tempered glass is used, which, with a strong impact, will only be decorated with a cobweb of cracks, and will not crumble into dangerous fragments.
Acrylic, conglomerate, natural stone. Materials are considered universal and are suitable for both classic and modern styles.
Plastic. Budget option for inexpensive interiors. Ideal as a temporary solution.
They do not recommend buying a table even before creating a design project for the dining area. Although this element is central, the main part of the furniture group, but it must correspond to the general style and be selected for it, and not vice versa.
Choice of chairs
Chairs should be combined with a table, but this does not mean that they will necessarily be from one set. Recently, it has become fashionable to choose these pieces of furniture individually. Do not be mistaken that any chair that comes across will fit your table. In order not to miss, and the combination looked organic, focus on the form. If the table is square, then the chairs should be the same. Rounded edges must also be repeated in each element of the kit. It is advisable to choose a table and chairs from the same material. An exception may be only win-win combinations:
Metal and wood. A classic combination that is difficult to spoil.
Stone and wood. An expensive and luxurious option that goes with the loft and the chalet.
Glass and metal. Original modern solution.
The presence or absence of upholstery, armrests and even backs is also of importance. Of course, stools are rarely associated with a comfortable meal. But whether upholstery and armrests are needed is a matter of convenience.
Other furniture and dining room accessories
In the dining area, in addition to the main set (table and chairs), additional elements can be placed. These include large (racks, sideboards, cabinets) and small (shelves, coasters, baskets) furniture. It is located for practical reasons, as additional storage space in some apartments is worth its weight in gold. But with a competent approach, an element of furniture can turn into a stylish decoration of the dining room. The buffet is decorated with painted sets, plates on coasters, sets of glasses. However, do not go too far and turn it into a sideboard, which was an indispensable element of Soviet living rooms. Cupboards and chests of drawers are decorated with photographs or thematic paintings with images of fruits, vegetables, and other food. For mood they put vases with freshly cut flowers. The walls are papered with murals depicting romantic landscapes or still lifes. Modular paintings from seasonings, coffee beans, cereals and other "loose" culinary attributes are suitable for modern styles.
The original solution will be to place a large slate board with crayons, as in a cafe. On it you can write down your wishes to your family or notify your family about the menu for today.
Lighting
With the lighting of the dining area, everything is quite simple. If the room is small, then a ceiling chandelier is hung above a small table. It is necessary even in cases where in the combined room its neighbor is already located above the culinary zone. Sometimes the lack of light is compensated by using sconces on the walls or high lamps on the floor. However, local lighting will not be able to completely replace the main one, so it is better to stay on an individual chandelier, intended only for the dining area.If the table is long, then place a group of lighting fixtures in a row.
Color selection
Warm colors should prevail in the color palette of the dining area. Studies have shown that they stimulate a good appetite and cheer up. You can design a dining room on the principle of similarity or contrast. As the main tone, it is better to choose white or one of the pastel shades: peach, pink, yellow, gray, walnut. The role of the second color is chosen by its spectral circle neighbor. The third shade will be bright, which is acceptable, because it is used a little (only in accents). If the kitchen windows face the sunny side, you can dilute the natural "warmth" of the interior with blue, lilac, green, turquoise.
Design style
The stylistic decision plays an important role in the design of any room. First, they choose the direction for interior design and only after that they are engaged in the choice of color, furniture, and decor details. There are no restrictions on the style of the dining room. However, it is often “tied” with the interior to the closest “in spirit” zone - the kitchen. It looks more effective if the rooms are located next to each other. Among the popular trends are minimalism, hi-tech, loft, chalet, art deco, classic, fusion, ethnic, Scandinavian, Japanese, oriental style and French Provence. We’ll talk about several design options in more detail.
Classical
In the classical style, the interior composition looks royal and gorgeous. This direction does not accept cheapness, imitation or practicality. Classics always strive for luxury that is purposely displayed. The walls are papered with wallpapers richly decorated with floral ornaments. White, brown and its shades prevail in the color scheme. A large, elongated table with rounded corners made of precious wood is set up in large rooms.Comes with elegant graceful chairs on twisted, curved legs. They are upholstered in soft velvet or other expensive textiles. In the colors they choose deep noble tones or neat drawings on a gold, chocolate, bronze background. Wall decoration is limited to hanging portraits in baguette frames or landscape paintings. The ceiling is richly decorated with stucco molding, and in its center a multi-tiered, heavy crystal chandelier is installed. The doorway is decorated with full columns or pilasters.
Gothic
The traditional Gothic-style dining area is reminiscent of a strict palace dining room. The very one where pigs roasted on a spit were served, they drank wine from goblets inlaid with precious stones, and ate them to the songs of the troubadours. In spacious rooms, the ceiling is vaulted and decorated with beams. Walls are decorated with murals with engravings depicting heroic scenes from the life of knights. In simpler interiors, they can be draped with fabric with a luxurious floral pattern. The table should be large, made of solid oak. Chairs are used without upholstery, with carved backs. If the table has the shape of a rectangle, then several chandeliers are placed in a row above it. By the way, the light bulbs on them are arranged in such a way as to create a likeness with candlesticks, which in the Middle Ages illuminated the meal in the dining room.
Gothic prefers dark, gloomy tones, so the style is not recommended for use in tight spaces, as the palette will play a cruel joke with the perception of space.
Provence
The Provence style dining area has special comfort and softness. White and pastel shades prevail in the color scheme. The windows are curtained with colorful curtains. Beautiful landscapes or a whole photo gallery of family shots are placed on the walls. It is better to choose a table round, as Provence prefers soft lines. It can be artificially aged by painting in one layer of white over the previous tone.Before dinner, the table must be covered with a festive tablecloth. A pair of elegant vases with fresh flowers are placed on the windowsill. Walls are papered with a delicate, floral ornament. On the chairs there is a soft upholstery of pink, turquoise, yellow, mint or olive color in a small flower. If there is a bedside table or a closet nearby, then they must be decorated with decorative plates on stands, miniature sculptures, vases, caskets.
Moroccan
Moroccan style belongs to the group of oriental directions. In domestic interiors, it looks very exotic. A small wooden table is located in the center of the dining area. Remember that the Eastern peoples eat a little of the dishes, and spend most of the time on philosophical conversations. Next to it, two sofas with colorful upholstery are installed in parallel, which are carelessly “sprinkled” on top with decorative pillows with flirty tassels at the ends. The windows are decorated with colorful mosaics. Decorated plates and panels are hung on the walls. The floors are covered with colorful rugs made by hand. If the dining area needs to be separated from the kitchen or the hall, then decorative partitions are used, which can be decorated with themed patterns with curls. The original design decision will be the placement of groups of Moroccan lamps on the ceiling, which emphasize the oriental flavor in the interior.
Conclusion
When designing a dining area, you need to rely on only one rule: eating in it should be comfortable, pleasant and easy. No color pressure on appetite, depressive mood or lack of space at the table should arise. If this still happens, then the dining room has been furnished incorrectly. Remember that the dining area or a separate room should set in a calm mood and stimulate appetite, unobtrusively stimulate conversation and bring together guests and household members.
A home hearth means not only a burning fireplace and a cozy bed, but also the presence of a special place for a comfortable meal. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are not just a joint meal for the sake of drowning hunger, but also another way to unite with your family and spend time together. The old folk wisdom says that the beauty of the hut is not only in the corners, but also in the cakes. Fragrant dishes on a beautifully served large table, at which all family members and guests are located, pleasant atmosphere, soft lighting, leisurely conversation - this is what a person really needs to relax. Numerous traditions are connected with the dining room in strong families that bring household members together. The design of the dining area is created not only with an eye on the tastes of the apartment owners, but also taking into account special psychological visualization techniques that can affect the appetite and mood of the diners.About how to beautifully and competently design this special part of the house, and we will talk in this article further.
Content
Location of the dining area
Traditionally, the dining area is located in the kitchen next to the cooking area. Unfortunately, the housing problem has not been resolved since Bulgakov’s time, and most of the country is forced to cram in tight “boxes” where there is simply no way to allocate a separate room for the dining room. If the kitchenette is very tiny, then the dining area is taken out of it to a more spacious room or even to the balcony or loggia. The latter option is considered non-standard, as the “round table” in the additional room cannot be delivered. Have to be content with a linear layout, as in a cafe, when they sit down to eat at the long tabletop-windowsill, and the chairs are placed in one row. In complex combined versions, the dining area can act as an integral part of a large studio, containing a hall (hallway), a living room and a kitchen. If the designer has at his disposal a spacious cottage or a country house, a cottage, then the dining area finds its place in one of the free rooms.
On the kitchen
The way the dining area is located in the kitchen depends on the size of the latter. An island layout is considered ideal. In this case, the table with chairs is located at an equal distance from the kitchen unit and the walls.It will be convenient for households to approach any place and there is no feeling of “crowding”. If the kitchenette is small, then the dining area is located in the corner, close to the walls. To increase the number of "seats", you can install a static soft sofa (corner). If the family is small, then two or three chairs around the table are enough. When placing the dining area in the kitchen, avoid using large quantities of textiles. It quickly absorbs odors and will require frequent washing.
In the living room
The dining room combined with the living room is increasingly common. The hall is the largest room in the apartment. Its area allows you to fit not only the main functional area for relaxation, but also to allocate a place for a table with chairs. As for the location of the dining area, its placement near the doorway will be optimal. Food trays do not have to be carried across the room; accordingly, less crumbs and garbage will accumulate in the recreation area. It is possible to carry out zoning actually (furniture, arches) or conditionally (color, light, different textures of the finishing surfaces). Since the dining room is a rather “dirty” area that requires systematic cleaning, it is of course better to separate it with a real “barrier”. If the living room is not as large as we would like, then they use "air" partitions (screens, curtains, low furniture or with through shelves).
In a separate room
A separate dining room, perhaps, became a dream number 2 for every housewife. In the first place is a comfortable kitchen, where there is enough space for culinary maneuvers.A separate dining area allows you to set a large table in the center of the room, at which entire companies will gather comfortably. You can also place a bar, additional furniture for receptions or relaxing after a hearty dinner. In a separate room, the interior can be unique, without regard to the design of adjacent areas. Unfortunately, the opportunity to equip such a dining room usually appears only for owners of private houses. In apartments for the whole room, there is usually no place for meals.
Furnishings
The furniture set will be the center of any dining area. If the dining room is located in a combined room, then when choosing its decor they are guided by the stylistic decision of the neighboring areas. For example, a plastic table cannot be combined with an expensive classic kitchen set. This is a "bad manners", but any furniture should be not only beautiful, but also comfortable.
Dining table selection
On average, the area for one person at the table has a width of 60 cm. This is enough so that the neighbors do not push each other with their elbows in the sides while eating. If someone from the household has non-standard sizes, then this site needs to be increased. Thus, before buying a table, calculate the number of people who will eat daily after him, and multiply it by 60 cm around the perimeter for each. Do not forget to add a “margin” for a couple of guests and remove the useless area at the corners. Countertops can have different shapes: square, rectangular, oval, round. Creative models can have non-standard outlines. From a psychological point of view, sharp corners are best avoided. Even if a square table was chosen, let its edges be rounded. This "softness" of the atmosphere favors pleasant communication and sweeps away internal psychological barriers at the subconscious level. The legs of the table can be located in the corners in the amount of four pieces, in the center in the form of a “pillar” or form two end supports along the edges. The central location is typical for small tables. Classic options have four legs. By type of material, preference is given to:
They do not recommend buying a table even before creating a design project for the dining area. Although this element is central, the main part of the furniture group, but it must correspond to the general style and be selected for it, and not vice versa.
Choice of chairs
Chairs should be combined with a table, but this does not mean that they will necessarily be from one set. Recently, it has become fashionable to choose these pieces of furniture individually. Do not be mistaken that any chair that comes across will fit your table. In order not to miss, and the combination looked organic, focus on the form. If the table is square, then the chairs should be the same. Rounded edges must also be repeated in each element of the kit. It is advisable to choose a table and chairs from the same material. An exception may be only win-win combinations:
The presence or absence of upholstery, armrests and even backs is also of importance. Of course, stools are rarely associated with a comfortable meal. But whether upholstery and armrests are needed is a matter of convenience.
Other furniture and dining room accessories
In the dining area, in addition to the main set (table and chairs), additional elements can be placed. These include large (racks, sideboards, cabinets) and small (shelves, coasters, baskets) furniture. It is located for practical reasons, as additional storage space in some apartments is worth its weight in gold. But with a competent approach, an element of furniture can turn into a stylish decoration of the dining room. The buffet is decorated with painted sets, plates on coasters, sets of glasses. However, do not go too far and turn it into a sideboard, which was an indispensable element of Soviet living rooms. Cupboards and chests of drawers are decorated with photographs or thematic paintings with images of fruits, vegetables, and other food. For mood they put vases with freshly cut flowers. The walls are papered with murals depicting romantic landscapes or still lifes. Modular paintings from seasonings, coffee beans, cereals and other "loose" culinary attributes are suitable for modern styles.
Lighting
With the lighting of the dining area, everything is quite simple. If the room is small, then a ceiling chandelier is hung above a small table. It is necessary even in cases where in the combined room its neighbor is already located above the culinary zone. Sometimes the lack of light is compensated by using sconces on the walls or high lamps on the floor. However, local lighting will not be able to completely replace the main one, so it is better to stay on an individual chandelier, intended only for the dining area.If the table is long, then place a group of lighting fixtures in a row.
Color selection
Warm colors should prevail in the color palette of the dining area. Studies have shown that they stimulate a good appetite and cheer up. You can design a dining room on the principle of similarity or contrast. As the main tone, it is better to choose white or one of the pastel shades: peach, pink, yellow, gray, walnut. The role of the second color is chosen by its spectral circle neighbor. The third shade will be bright, which is acceptable, because it is used a little (only in accents). If the kitchen windows face the sunny side, you can dilute the natural "warmth" of the interior with blue, lilac, green, turquoise.
Design style
The stylistic decision plays an important role in the design of any room. First, they choose the direction for interior design and only after that they are engaged in the choice of color, furniture, and decor details. There are no restrictions on the style of the dining room. However, it is often “tied” with the interior to the closest “in spirit” zone - the kitchen. It looks more effective if the rooms are located next to each other. Among the popular trends are minimalism, hi-tech, loft, chalet, art deco, classic, fusion, ethnic, Scandinavian, Japanese, oriental style and French Provence. We’ll talk about several design options in more detail.
Classical
In the classical style, the interior composition looks royal and gorgeous. This direction does not accept cheapness, imitation or practicality. Classics always strive for luxury that is purposely displayed. The walls are papered with wallpapers richly decorated with floral ornaments. White, brown and its shades prevail in the color scheme. A large, elongated table with rounded corners made of precious wood is set up in large rooms.Comes with elegant graceful chairs on twisted, curved legs. They are upholstered in soft velvet or other expensive textiles. In the colors they choose deep noble tones or neat drawings on a gold, chocolate, bronze background. Wall decoration is limited to hanging portraits in baguette frames or landscape paintings. The ceiling is richly decorated with stucco molding, and in its center a multi-tiered, heavy crystal chandelier is installed. The doorway is decorated with full columns or pilasters.
Gothic
The traditional Gothic-style dining area is reminiscent of a strict palace dining room. The very one where pigs roasted on a spit were served, they drank wine from goblets inlaid with precious stones, and ate them to the songs of the troubadours. In spacious rooms, the ceiling is vaulted and decorated with beams. Walls are decorated with murals with engravings depicting heroic scenes from the life of knights. In simpler interiors, they can be draped with fabric with a luxurious floral pattern. The table should be large, made of solid oak. Chairs are used without upholstery, with carved backs. If the table has the shape of a rectangle, then several chandeliers are placed in a row above it. By the way, the light bulbs on them are arranged in such a way as to create a likeness with candlesticks, which in the Middle Ages illuminated the meal in the dining room.
Provence
The Provence style dining area has special comfort and softness. White and pastel shades prevail in the color scheme. The windows are curtained with colorful curtains. Beautiful landscapes or a whole photo gallery of family shots are placed on the walls. It is better to choose a table round, as Provence prefers soft lines. It can be artificially aged by painting in one layer of white over the previous tone.Before dinner, the table must be covered with a festive tablecloth. A pair of elegant vases with fresh flowers are placed on the windowsill. Walls are papered with a delicate, floral ornament. On the chairs there is a soft upholstery of pink, turquoise, yellow, mint or olive color in a small flower. If there is a bedside table or a closet nearby, then they must be decorated with decorative plates on stands, miniature sculptures, vases, caskets.
Moroccan
Moroccan style belongs to the group of oriental directions. In domestic interiors, it looks very exotic. A small wooden table is located in the center of the dining area. Remember that the Eastern peoples eat a little of the dishes, and spend most of the time on philosophical conversations. Next to it, two sofas with colorful upholstery are installed in parallel, which are carelessly “sprinkled” on top with decorative pillows with flirty tassels at the ends. The windows are decorated with colorful mosaics. Decorated plates and panels are hung on the walls. The floors are covered with colorful rugs made by hand. If the dining area needs to be separated from the kitchen or the hall, then decorative partitions are used, which can be decorated with themed patterns with curls. The original design decision will be the placement of groups of Moroccan lamps on the ceiling, which emphasize the oriental flavor in the interior.
Conclusion
When designing a dining area, you need to rely on only one rule: eating in it should be comfortable, pleasant and easy. No color pressure on appetite, depressive mood or lack of space at the table should arise. If this still happens, then the dining room has been furnished incorrectly. Remember that the dining area or a separate room should set in a calm mood and stimulate appetite, unobtrusively stimulate conversation and bring together guests and household members.