A charming dining room is one of those additions that makes a farmhouse bespeaks generosity, abundance and comfort. The perfect dining room is a bright and comfortable place for enjoying casual family lunches and dinners. If you entertain or use your dining room on a regular basis, these few design ideas will help you create the biggest impact in a space where everyone feel welcome.
Keep your finishes all natural
Lightly stained wood furniture, white or pale natural colors and exposed wood beams and architecture are typical signatures of country or farmhouse design. So keep your finishes natural or light in color. Shades of light grey, beige, pale yellow or cream will blend with natural wood for an authentic and relaxing atmosphere.
Add a touch of color with table runners
Our eyes are naturally drawn to light and color. So even if the “envelope” tends toward natural colors, nothing prevents you to add some pizzazz with well though details and decorative additions. Look for colorful and/or printed table runners to add a little pizzazz while leaving the natural wood exposed. Most farmhouse dining room tables are made from hardy and durable wood slabs or planks, with no need for tablecloths or place mats to protect these tough surfaces. So a pinch of color will brighten up the decor!
Agrarian Stripe Table Runner, by Coyuchi – $78.00 Amazon / Cap Ferrat Table Runner, cobalt blue – $37.77 Amazon
Update light fixtures and hardwares
To give your farmhouse dining room an instant facelift, simply replace accessories like light fixtures, side chairs, or cupboard pull handles. Keep your eye out for restored industrial or vintage barn light fixtures that will look great suspended above the table. Old barn ladders, farmer baskets and stools also make great decor accents.
Harriet Pendant Enamel Gloss – $139.99 Ballard Designs / Transitional Williamsburg Cup Pull – $5.91 Amazon / Edison Industrial Pendant Lamp, White – $125.00 High Street Market / Armonk 6-Arm Indoor/Outdoor Chandelier – $359.00 Pottery Barn
Bring in edible decor
Bring in a taste of Mother Nature by making or buying herb wreaths. They add color, fragrance and can be used to flavor your own dishes. This will create both an unique, appearance at the same time.
Farmers’ Market Herb Wreath – $99.95 Williams Sonoma / Rosemary Bay Wreath – $49.95 Sur la Table
(Image courtesy of This Old House)