How Do You Make a Dining Table Look Nice?

While investing in beautiful, high-quality furniture pieces for your home is always a priority, styling them correctly adds to the overall visual appeal of your spaces.

When it comes to dining table decorating ideas, getting things exactly right takes a bit of imagination and flair. So how do you make a dining table look nice?

Our dynamic team flexes their creative muscles and brings you their top tips on optimising your dining table surface space.

What shaped dining table should I choose for my room?

Before you even think about décor, choosing the right dining table for your room is key. In general, your final decision will be determined by the dimensions and style of the space you are working with.

Here are some simple guidelines:

• Set a budget and spend all of it to ensure that you get the best quality possible
• Measure your space – your dining table should be at least 90 cm away from your walls and cabinetry. This will give you ample room to pull the chairs in and out and move around the table when everyone is seated
• Choose a style that suits the rest of your home. Wooden tops will create a rustic or conventional feel, while glass tops offer a sense of lightness and space in any contemporary environment
• Square and rectangular dining tables are more traditional but round ones are ideal if you’re facing a space crunch, giving you lots of legroom and promoting convivial conversations
• Keep in mind that chairs with armrests are often wider, allowing for fewer seats at a table. Most dining chairs are 45 – 50 cm wide without them.

Why should I decorate my dining table?

In all honesty, there’s nothing worse than dead space, especially if you have an expansive dining table that takes up a large area. And whether it’s in use or not, decorating it will add to the look, feel and mood of your room.

In fact, every available surface of your home should be considered an opportunity to enhance your décor and create a magazine-ready aesthetic.

What should I consider before decorating my dining table?

The first things to think about are the shape of the table itself and your surrounding dining room décor.

If you have a round or square table, aim for a single centrepiece. However, if you’re working with a long, rectangular one, use lots of individual décor pieces ensuring that you maintain interest all the way down the length of it.

Investing in tableware that matches the style and colour palette of your room is vital if you want to curate mindful mealtimes. Consider mimicking colours found in your walls and artwork and find complimentary crockery and napkins.

You should also give some thought to what you put underneath your table - a beautiful rug will add an extra style element to your ensemble and help tie your room together. Read our article on the latest rug and lighting trends for some useful guidelines.

8 Fun ways to style your dining table when it's not in use

If you’re scrambling for styling ideas, here are 8 that will jazz up your dining table when it's not in use:

1. A tablecloth: They aren’t always necessary, especially if you have a beautiful dining table, but tablecloths are a terrific way to refresh your space for special occasions, changes of season and everything in between. If you don’t want to cover up your whole surface, use a runner instead.

2. Feature lighting: When it comes to decorating your table, think about surrounding features too. A beautiful pendant or striking chandelier may just be enough to make your space look complete. Lighting is also key when it comes to setting the ambience and mood of your room.

3. A central vase: Picking out one gorgeous vase for the centre of your table makes styling it a breeze. Available in a range of shapes, sizes and materials, they’ll add height and create visual impact and you can enhance their aesthetics anytime you want by adding some pretty flowers or even just a collection of interesting leaves.

4. Candles: Bring a sense of romance and relaxation to your space with candles. They’re a wonderfully affordable way to decorate your dining table. Find an elaborate candelabra or two, or simply place a well-considered collection of them on a central stand.

5. Figurines: Gorgeous metal, stone or wooden figurines, either single or in a set, are the perfect way to add something sculptural and enhance the artistic interest in your dining space. If you have a particularly long table, find a central piece and add smaller ones halfway down each end.

6. Fruit: A big, decorative bowl or rustic basket filled with lovely seasonal fruit always looks great on a dining table, makes a room feel inviting and provides a quick and easy snack that is always within reach. Mix them up or stick to just one type or colour palette – the choice is yours.

7. Plants: Celebrate the biophilic movement by bringing your room to life with some potted plants. Arrange them in a central cluster or scatter them down the full length of your table’s surface to fill a larger space. Choose shrubs that are ideal for the indoors like small ferns, cacti or succulents in pots that match your colour scheme.

8. A tableware caddy: If your table is constantly in use, place your day-to-day necessities like napkins, salt, pepper, condiments and even a decorative vase in an attractive caddy and keep it on your table at all times. This will save you from having to constantly fetch and carry them and will add a homely aesthetic to your space. If you’re having a more formal dinner party, simply remove it and set your table accordingly.

With so many wonderful ideas available, you’ll be styling your table like a pro in no time.

Shop dining tables at FCI London

At FCI London, we have everything you need to complete your dining room including a range of beautiful tables to suit every style. Get in touch with us to find out more, or pop into our showroom for a glass of bubbly and a guided tour.

For added inspiration, take a look at all our latest interior design projects where we've created everything from gorgeous modern dining rooms to uber-luxurious outdoor areas – they’re sure to give you some wonderful new ideas.