Divine Dining Room Inspiration

When we were looking to buy our home, there was one room we agreed we most definitely wanted any potential house to have, and that was a dining room. I wanted a room where we could entertain, where we could eat together as a family, and also to add some extra living space. It’s not that I particularly enjoy cooking – as a general rule it is something that I try to avoid, but I love to entertain and have guests around for food, even if that food is just pizza or Chinese from a local takeaway.

Dining Rooms seem to be growing in popularity as the nature of our social lives continue to change. Once upon a time we might go to the pub at the weekend for a few drinks with friends, but the closing down of so many pubs means that many places no longer have a ‘local’. Add into this the rise in the popularity of cooking programmes which show you how to cook a full banquet from scratch, and Youtube tutorials which help you to do the same, and it seems that having a room to eat and entertain is now a very good option.

If you are looking for some inspiration for your dining room, you could do worse than to look at some of your favourite movies. So many classic films have scenes set around a dining table that you are sure to find something you love and can maybe channel in your own home, maybe taking advantage of the January sales to add some new furniture pieces that you have had your eye on (the sales are usually great when it comes to furniture.)

Kitchen Diner From It’s Complicated

If your dining space is linked to your kitchen, then the dining area from the Meryl Streep/Alec Baldwin movie ‘It’s Complicated’ could serve as inspiration.

This is a really comfortable looking dining area, with wide seats, a big table perfect for the whole family to seat around, and with chairs covers that ensure your guests won’t be rushing from the table to sit somewhere more comfortable.

The Blind Side

The Tuohy dining room from the Sandra Bullock Oscar winning movie ‘The Blind Side’ is another beauty that I am a little envious of. I love the fact that rather than opting for more formal dark wood options for the table and chairs, this room is bright and clean looking due to the use of white furniture. It also has a white fireplace which creates a lovely focal point to the room. You can recreate this look, even if you don’t have a fireplace by using a false fire surround to create a centre point to your room.

The Family Stone

One of my favourite Christmas films is ‘The Family Stone’, mainly because I will watch Sarah Jessica Parker in everything (although she is insufferable in this, right until the point of getting together with Luke Wilson.). This film also has great dining room moments and shows the importance of getting the ambience right with your choice of lighting.

A low level light over the dining table is a great feature, whilst the use of candles can create a mood of romance or make the occasion seem more formal.

Gosford Park

Now, I’m not suggesting that you should try and turn your home into a mini stately home, but there are certainly ideas and accessories that can be picked up from the glorious dining rooms in films like Gosford Park and Titanic. Once again candles make for beautiful, delicate lighting, whilst the use of stunning floral centrepieces and expensive cut glass can make up for the fact that you might need a new table or that your chairs have seen better days.

Make 2019 the year you make the best use of your dining room, whether it be by inviting friends around for a special meal (even if it is a takeaway), or eating with your kids away from the television and social media, finally putting an end to TV dinners.

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