Creating a formal dining room is an excellent way to extend the functionality of your home. Whether you’re renting an apartment or have purchased a smaller home that feels too cramped, creating a formal dining room can provide you with the perfect space to entertain guests and have dinner parties.
A formal dining room has expectations that it be used primarily for dinner parties and eating — not as an office or reading nook. It is also expected to be located in the front of your house, not at the back or side entrance.
However, there are several different styles of formal dining rooms that you can create depending on what works best for your home. A formal dining room serves many purposes and allows you to expand upon the functionality of your home and how you use it.
Dining Room Basics
Before diving into the styles of formal dining rooms, it’s important to understand the basics of how to create the perfect dining room. Creating a formal dining room involves a few different factors, but they’re important to consider before beginning the planning process.
- Space
The first thing to consider is the amount of space in your home to create a formal dining room. Formal dining rooms are a great way to expand your living space, and you can do that by either taking out a wall or extending your home with an addition.
- Lighting
Elegant, formal dining rooms typically have beautiful chandeliers and table lamps that provide warm lighting. However, you can also have an elegant formal dining room with a few different types of lighting.
- Seating Capacity
When determining how many people can comfortably sit at your dining table, it’s important to take into account width, depth, and height of each chair. If you plan on having several guests over for dinner, it’s a good idea to have some seating in your formal dining room that isn’t at the table.
Traditional Formal Dining Rooms
Traditional formal dining rooms are often used in older homes that were built in the 19th or early 20th centuries. This style are generally smaller rooms that have low-sloped ceilings and often have a warm, wood-based theme. Traditional formal dining rooms often have glazed tile floors, high-end hardwood chairs, a fireplace, and beautiful stained-glass windows. It is also often contain art and décor items that hint at an upper-class lifestyle.
Corner Formal Dining Rooms
Corner formal dining rooms are a great option if you have a small amount of space in your home. This style are often small rooms that have a “L”-shaped or “u-shaped” seating arrangement that allows for multiple people to sit at the table at one time. Corner formal dining rooms are often designed with warm colors, hardwood floors, and stained-glass windows. While corner formal dining rooms are typically smaller, they can be just as elegant as traditional formal dining rooms.
Transitional Formal Dining Rooms
Transitional formal dining rooms are a unique blend of traditional and modern decor. Transitioning from traditional to modern takes some work, but it’s an excellent way to create a formal dining room that can be used for years to come. Transitional formal dining rooms often have a bit of a rustic look with hardwood floors, dark-stained furniture, and warm colors. It’s important to choose transitional accessories, such as a chandelier, with a modern look in mind.
Modern Formal Dining Rooms
Modern formal dining rooms often include a wide array of colors and designs. You can create a modern formal dining room with a wide variety of colors and patterns, or you can choose to keep it simple with neutral colors and plain walls. Modern formal dining rooms are often wide open with few walls and minimal decor. They’re excellent for having large dinner parties, but they’re also great if you want to use your dining room as an office during the day.
Conclusion
Creating a formal dining room is an excellent way to expand your home and provide yourself with a unique space to entertain guests. Formal dining rooms come in a variety of styles, so it’s important to choose one that best fits your home and your personal taste. Before creating a formal dining room, it’s important to determine the amount of space you have in your home and what you plan to use the room for. Once you’ve decided on a style, it’s time to begin planning the room!
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