Casual and Comfortable Dining Room Style Trends that Go Beyond Tradition

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Formality is a thing of the past and gone are the days of the traditional dining room—that fussy, formal, off-limits space with uncomfortable furniture closed off from the rest of the home. There are two explanations for this change. The first is the popularity of the open floor plan, in both new homes and renovations. People are embracing open, multi-use spaces that can accommodate gatherings of friends and family while still providing pockets of space for intimate, quieter experiences. Also, people want to live in every inch of their homes, and a formal dining room is way too much valuable real estate to set aside for just a few occasions each year. 

Second, our lifestyles have changed and we have evolved into a much more casual society, across the board. We’re looking for casual, comfortable spaces that encourage relaxation and connection. An inviting, cozy dining room gives us space to focus on spending quality time with our friends and loved ones.

However,  just because our lifestyle is more casual, we still want our spaces to be fresh, beautiful and sophisticated. This means no more cookie cutter matched dining room suites. Our dining rooms have become the perfect place to express our style and individuality. They can also be a fabulous space to go just a little bit over the top, whether that means sumptuous wallpaper, striking artwork, an amazing light fixture or an eclectic collection of furniture. 

And all of this can be accomplished, regardless of how you define your style, whether it be Mountain Modern, Transitional, Modern Casual or something else. Here, overwhelmingly, are the most requested elements our clients are looking for:

• Clean lines, simplicity and order
• Soft, neutral color palette that creates a calm ambiance reminiscent of the great outdoors, with a resurgence in popularity of earthy tones
• Emphasis on furniture made from natural materials like wood, stone, leather and metal
• Cozy textures and materials that provide comfort and a touch of luxury
• Style that is light and airy and creates a sense of bringing the outside in

So, where to begin to create (or refresh) your dining room?

Start with the right foundational furniture, i.e. table and chairs. There are a mind-blowing variety of styles to choose from—find the pieces that speak to you that also merge style with functionality. Customize your choices to accommodate your personal preferences and provide the right fit. If you love having large gatherings in your home, make sure you choose an expandable table. If you want to encourage people to linger, choose the comfiest chairs—there are an endless variety of fabrics and leathers to choose from.  If you have a pile of young children to accommodate, add bench seating. 

Layer different materials, colors and textures into your space. Go for an eclectic look with a set of chairs that complement your table but aren’t matchy-matchy.  Choose storage, such as a sideboard, open shelves or china cabinet, that not only provides a functional purpose but beautifies the space.  

Finally, add in artwork, lighting, accessories and rugs to introduce elements of style into your space and truly make it your own.  For more tips on building a beautiful dining room, read our previous article about transforming your dining room space.

Brent Simon is an owner at Colorado Style Home Furnishings, a South Denver-based fine furniture showroom that offers over an acre of top-quality comfortable, sophisticated in-stock furniture and accessories. View their profile or contact one of their highly experienced design professionals at (303) 741-4240.

Content for this article provided by Colorado Style Home Furnishings.