Has life gotten so hectic around your house that you feel like you’ve lost touch with the people that matter the most? Taking time to slow down and spend time as a family can be difficult when each member has a busy schedule.
As we gear up for back to school, after school activities, sports and jobs, now is a perfect time to squeeze in a set time for dinner as a family. Nothing fancy, just 30 minutes sitting down to catch up. If everyone sticks around longer, even better!
My son and daughter are 20 and 17. From very early on we prioritized eating dinner together as a family. It’s always been a time where we could share about our days. Over the years, as schedules got busier, it became harder to make happen but also somehow more important.
My daughter mentioned to me the other day how grateful she is that we’ve always had dinner together as a family. A friend confided to her that her family doesn’t gather together at dinnertime, and one day when she becomes a parent, she vows to do it differently.
And that got me thinking, what can we do in our dining spaces at home to encourage everyone to come together?
As an interior designer, I think about creating spaces that evoke certain emotions or encourage people to gather longer or sometimes move through a space quickly. Creating a dining space that encourages people to linger once the meal has ended is such an important consideration.
Most everyone has a dedicated space for dining in their homes, so here are 6 ways to create dining spaces that bring everyone to the table.
1. A built-in dining nook creates a cozy place to gather.
This would be fairly easy to recreate using a couple of benches with cushions tucked into a corner. The idea of a “nook” draws people and provides a cozy place to settle in. Dimmable lighting and soft window treatments also add to the comfort of a space.
2. Round tables help the flow of conversation.
Add comfortable seating to create a place everyone will want to linger. Round tables allow everyone to see each other as they’re speaking. They also encourage one conversation as a group instead of separate smaller conversations at chairs lining a longer table.
3. Add a soft durable rug.
A rug will add softness to the space and help absorb sound when voices get animated.
4. Add benches for extra seating.
Upholstered benches provide extra space for family and friends for lively dinners.
5. Decorate with colors found in nature.
Create an unhurried space for dining and relaxation by incorporating the calming colors found in nature. People tend to be more relaxed in spaces where they’re reminded of natural elements like water, trees, colorful leaves, and rocks and stones.
6. Layer in texture and patina.
Bring in texture with wicker, rattan or wood pieces. Table runners or table cloths add a layer of visual interest. Salvaging old items that show wear and use over time creates a sense of calm and familiarity.
Everyone’s lives are so busy these days. It seems like we’re all going in different directions. The one part of the day where we can all come together is dinnertime. We all have to stop and eat anyway, right? Why not all together?
It’s amazing what conversations happen around our dinner table. If these walls could talk! There have been serious discussions about manners, respect for others, and goals for the future. But equally important are the countless stories that have been told, inside jokes created and belly laughs that brought us to tears. Sitting down to dinner with my family is the best part of my day and I’m so glad our kids have benefitted from it and will hopefully carry on the tradition when they have their own families.
How many of these 6 ways have you used to create dining spaces that brings everyone to the table? What areas of your home does your family gravitate to? What is it about that space that makes it a favorite? Let me know in the comments!