All your dining room inspiration

Before choosing furniture, think about how you want to use your dining room. The way you live will shape the choices that work best for your space. Ask yourself:

- Do you enjoy long dinners with family and friends?
- Do you regularly work from the dining table?
- Or do you want a space where you can play games with your children or grandchildren?

Once you've defined the purpose of your dining room, it's much easier to plan the layout. Knowing how you want to use the space helps you choose furniture that supports your everyday life. If you love gathering around the table for hours, comfortable dining chairs are essential. If you work from home, a chair with a more supportive, upright seating position is often the better choice. And if you have young children, a table with rounded corners can help make everyday life that little bit safer.

Keep an open mind as you explore the possibilities. Every piece of furniture is crafted to order, giving you the freedom to tailor dimensions, materials and finishes to your space. Whatever the size or shape of your room, there's always a solution that fits. Your space shouldn't limit your ideas.

Small dining room

If you're working with a smaller dining room, thoughtful planning makes all the difference. One of interior design specialist Daniëlle's favourite recommendations is to choose a dining bench.

A bench helps create a more open feel by increasing the available walkway, while also giving the space a more relaxed, informal character. With a dining bench, around 60 cm between the wall and the table is usually enough. Dining chairs generally require between 80 and 100 cm so they can be pulled out comfortably. Choosing a bench can therefore free up valuable space.

Dining chairs without armrests are another practical option. They allow you to seat more people around a relatively compact table without making the room feel crowded. The table base is worth considering too. A central pedestal base gives everyone more legroom and makes it easier to slide chairs in and out. It also makes getting in and out of a dining bench much more comfortable.

Another versatile addition is a pouffe. It provides an extra seat whenever guests visit and can easily be moved into the living room as a footrest when you want to unwind.

Dining table sizes for a small dining room

Here are a few practical dimensions to help you get started. For a smaller dining room, we generally recommend a dining table between 180 cm and 240 cm long. If you prefer a round table, a diameter of 100 cm is suitable for more compact spaces, while 140 cm offers additional seating without compromising comfortable circulation around the room.

Large dining room

In a larger dining room, you can make the most of the available space by choosing a generously sized table. To prevent it from feeling too imposing, Daniëlle recommends a tabletop with softly rounded edges. This gives the dining room a more welcoming feel. An organic shape is another way to bring movement into the space. It breaks up the scale of the room and allows the dining table to become a natural focal point.

You can also make the room feel more complete by adding a second seating area. Alongside the dining table, consider a bar table with bar stools where you can enjoy drinks with family or friends. If you have a kitchen island with a bar, a few individual bar stools can create an additional place to sit.

If your dining table and kitchen island share the same space, a curved dining table can work particularly well. Position the straight side against the island to create a connected kitchen and dining area designed for everyday living.

Colour palette

Alongside your interior style, your colour palette plays an equally important role. Daniëlle would even argue it's the most important starting point. A considered colour palette allows you to combine different interior styles while keeping your home feeling balanced and cohesive.

Her advice is to begin with three core colours. You can then introduce a small accent colour through accessories. It's an easy way to embrace seasonal colours or introduce a fresh trend without changing your entire interior.

A useful guideline is the 60-30-10 rule. Around 60% of your space should consist of your main colour, 30% of supporting tones from the same palette, and the remaining 10% can be used for contrast. This is where an accent colour can really make an impact.

When choosing the finish for your dining table, start with the floor. Then consider the colours in your kitchen before selecting the table finish. A dining table often stands out best when it contrasts subtly with the flooring rather than blending into it.

For the table base and chair legs, Daniëlle recommends choosing a finish that complements your tabletop. Keeping these elements in the same colour creates a calmer overall look and gives your dining set a more unified appearance.

Still deciding on the right finish? Visit one of our furniture stores, where you can take home complimentary material and finish samples to see how they look in your own space.

At this stage, you can start bringing the previous steps together.

The dining table forms the starting point of the room. Begin by choosing the shape. Do you prefer clean, straight lines or a more organic form? Next, select the material. Fenix is a practical choice for a family-friendly table, while solid oak brings a natural, grounded feel to the space. Once you have chosen the material, decide on the colour, followed by the table base and, finally, the finishing details. These include the edge profile, brushing and protective lacquer.

“The narrower the tabletop, the more inviting it feels. I believe a table feels at its most welcoming when it is generously set, and choosing a narrower dining table helps create that atmosphere,” says Daniëlle.

You can then choose the dining chairs and, where suitable, add a dining bench. For a more upright seating position, Daniëlle recommends the Zare, Ezra or Reza chair. For a softer, more relaxed seat, the Foss, Flore or Alba may be a better fit.

Finally, bring the different elements together. You might choose the same finish for the table base and chair legs, then select an upholstery fabric that works with your colour palette. This creates a dining area that feels balanced and considered.