Unlike many other areas within the home, a dining room is a place built solely for the purpose of entertaining guests and presenting a meal. Due to its function, homeowners are presented with the unique opportunity to really go above and beyond with their design. However, it can also be easy to err on the side of traditional. In order to break out of your hum drum décor habits, consider a few tips for a dining room that is sure to impress.

Firstly, keep in mind that a dining room is one of the only places in a home that needs only one primary focal point – the dining table. Whether you choose a round or rectangular dining room table, keep in mind that this is a place around which friends and family will gather for food, drink and conversation for hours at a time. As such, it does not need to be over dressed. Dining tables with too many settings and centerpieces can look cheap and cluttered.

Secondly, do not be afraid to choose chairs that boast bright colors or bold patterns – especially if your table and place settings are somewhat subdued. If you’re not prepared to invest in brand new chairs, consider reupholstering older chairs with a durable and trendy new fabric. You can further personalize your dining room by choosing chairs with interesting shapes. For small dining rooms, consider seating made from acrylic – this helps give the illusion of additional space.

Lastly, remember that lighting is an extremely important element and you need to have varying options. Some nights you may prefer a romantic candlelight dinner while other occasions may call for heavier lighting. Consider a chandelier with a dimmer as well as smaller side lamps or wall sconces.  Also, remember that your choice of lighting fixture is yet another way to show off your personal décor tastes.

And now for some sleek dining tables …