Coming together for a meal is a great way to spend some quality time with friends and family, so why is it that the majority of households rarely utilize their dining rooms? Nine times out of ten, the dining room table ends up being a catch-all for the mail, laundry, keys, or backpacks. Do you want to make the most out of your St. Louis dining room and actually use it for what it was intended? Here are some tips to make your space a room that friends and family are eager to use.

Have Fun with Decor

Dining rooms are traditionally formal but really don’t need to be, and sometimes the formality of the space is what deters people from using it. Feel free to get creative and create a space that you can truly entertain in. Obviously, your table and seating will be the focal point as well as the main use of the room, so choose something that is comfortable and welcoming. The furniture doesn’t necessarily have to all match, so find an eclectic table and add mismatched chairs around it, or use benches for some of the seating and chairs for the rest. Opt for a tall boy pub-style table with barstools, or create a built in banquette seating area for your table. Remember, this is your home so you make the decorating rules.

Add Shelving

Typically a dining room will have a hutch or a buffet to store your serving trays, platters, and tablecloths, as well as your good china. But why hide them behind a cabinet door when you can add some shelving and put them on display? In addition, the shelving can be a home for your cookbooks, or can be used to display some photos of your loved ones. Not only are you freeing up space, you’re also adding some visual interest to the room.

Switch Your Light Fixture

The lighting of a room sets its tone and ambiance – for a comfortable and relaxed evening, the lighting should cast a warm glow but also be bright enough to see what you are eating. If you have a light fixture that you like but want to tame the brightness, consider switching your bulbs to a lower watt or adding a dimmer switch. If you want to get away from the recessed lighting by adding a new light fixture, find something that appeals to your taste and adds character to the room. Pendant lights are a great choice for your dining room, as are chandeliers. Just be sure to take into consideration the scale of the room and your table when choosing the fixture.

Create a Cozy Space

The goal when creating a room for entertaining is to make it warm, comfortable, and inviting.           There are many different ways to accomplish this. You could add some textiles such as an area rug or some baskets, and add woven grass shades as your window treatment. For additional comfort, consider adding some cushions to your chairs or benches. Bring the outside in with plants and fresh flowers, or incorporate some organic pieces such as sea glass or river rock to a vase. Just be careful not to go overboard and end up with a cluttered space – choose items that speak to your personal taste and edit as you go.

Add a Bar

If you have a lot of space in your dining area, consider using a corner area for a bar. You can buy a pre-made bar with bar stools, or you can simply use a long sofa table to house your libations. If you’re short on space, you can use a section of your shelving for the bar area or place a smaller table against the wall. You want to leave enough room for people to move easily around the table or to come and go from other areas of the home.

Having a dining room that you enjoy and want to use will allow you to actually enjoy a conversation during your meal, and utilize that space in your home every day. Do you have any recommendations for revamping your dining room?