Dining room furniture

Tips for furnishing your formal dining area

One of the interesting paradoxes of contemporary home design is that kitchens are becoming more modern and utilitarian, yet dining room furniture is becoming more formal and traditional. But perhaps it’s not as great a contradiction as it seems. The same busy lifestyle that necessitates a modern kitchen may also be prompting nostalgia for the familial, sit-down dinners that were so commonplace in previous generations.

Furniture for the formal dining room

Formal dining room furniture is essentially another way of saying traditional dining room furniture. There are differences, of course. Contemporary dining room furniture styles tend to feature cleaner and straighter lines and a mix of cosmopolitan and ornate designs.

Darker wood tones such as cherry and mahogany are popular choices for modern dining room furniture ensembles. The key word there is ensemble. In addition to fabric-covered seats and larger, rounder tables, today’s formal dining rooms tend to feature an array of furniture, including sideboards, china cabinets, and curio cabinets. The overall intent is to create an atmosphere that is aesthetically nostalgic, yet fully functional for today’s lifestyle.

Formal dining room furnishing ideas

New dining room furniture isn’t enough to create the traditional setting you want for your home. Implementing a few decor ideas that complement your dining room furniture will create a unified ambience ideal for Sunday dinners or holiday celebrations with friends and family.

Accent pieces such as antique dining room furniture or curio cabinets that display family heirlooms play a significant role in achieving a formal dining room atmosphere. Forego painted surfaces in favor of classic wood tones.

Traditional dining room furniture inevitably looks best under a chandelier. If cost is prohibitive, try browsing through antique stores online or in your local area. Vintage chandeliers can often be found at accessible prices, and a professional electrician could do the installation.

The color of your walls and windows should also be coordinated with your dining room furniture. Long, hanging drapes contribute to the elegance of a dining area. As for the walls, warm and subtle autumnal colors can nicely offset the heaviness of your formal dining room furniture.

Finally, invest in some new dinnerware to complete the effect you’re seeking. A bright and eclectic dinnerware style is the best way to keep a formal dining area vibrant and new, so avoid dinnerware or china that looks like it died in the cafeteria at the Smithsonian.

More information on Kitchen & Dining