Space ‘doubling as home offices, homework hubs and creative workspace’
After a summer of entertaining outdoors, it’s time to turn your attention inside but if your dining room is past its prime, you may want to consider a refresh before holiday season kicks into full fear.
“When remodelling or renovating a dining room, homeowners should think beyond aesthetics and consider how the space functions in their daily lives,” says Jessica Cinnamon, principal designer and founder of Toronto-based Jessica Cinnamon Design Inc. “Increasingly, dining rooms are being used for more than just entertainment, doubling as home offices, homework hubs or creative workspaces.”
Thoughtful layout and furniture choices can accommodate both formal gatherings and daily tasks, with extendable tables, hidden storage and multi-purpose furnishings enhancing versatility, she advises.
Lighting also plays a crucial role, with layered fixtures and natural light helping to create a space that transitions easily from productive by day to ambient by night.
“Ultimately, a well-designed dining room balances timeless elegance with functional adaptability, allowing it to evolve with the homeowner’s lifestyle,” Cinnamon says.
When choosing paint colours or deciding whether to incorporate wallpaper into a dining room, consider the atmosphere you want to create.
“Dining rooms often serve as both social gathering spaces and areas for quiet, intimate meals, so the colour palette sets the tone. Warm, rich hues like deep greens, navy or burgundy can create a cozy, elegant ambiance, while soft neutrals or pastels lend a more relaxed, airy feel,” she says.
“It’s also important to consider lighting, both natural and artificial, as it dramatically affects how these colours appear throughout the day. Ultimately, paint and wallpaper choices should enhance the room’s mood, elevate its design and reflect the homeowner’s personal style while remaining cohesive with the rest of the home.”
When designing a comfortable and functional dining space, paying attention to guidelines for seat height, spacing and serving surfaces can make all the difference, especially during entertaining, the designer reminds.
The standard dining chair seat height is 18 inches, paired with a table height of 28 to 30 inches. “This allows for about 10 to 12 inches of leg clearance, ensuring comfort for most adults. If you’re incorporating bench seating, aim for the same seat height and add cushions for comfort without sacrificing functionality. For ease of movement, leave a minimum of 36 inches between the edge of the table and surrounding walls or furniture.”
When hosting, consider temporary or mobile serving stations. “A sideboard or buffet table offers a designated spot for dishes, drinks or desserts and keeps the dining table clear. In smaller spaces, bar carts, fold-out consoles or even kitchen islands can act as overflow surfaces,” Cinnamon says.
“If you’re tight on room, a simple tray on a nearby bench or ottoman can serve the purpose while still looking polished. By following these spatial tips and layering flexible serving solutions, you can create a dining environment that’s both stylish and effortlessly functional for everyday meals and special occasions.”
Dining doesn’t have to be formal to be memorable. “In fact, buffet-style dining can make holiday gatherings like Thanksgiving feel more relaxed, efficient and inclusive. To achieve this gracefully, we advise clients to use varying heights with risers or cutting boards under serving dishes to create visual interest and make items easier to reach.”
Hosting Thanksgiving dinner on a budget
Thanksgiving is about gratitude, togetherness and creating memories, not about overspending, say Sebastien and Sheila Centner, authors of Eatertainment (published in Canada by Appetite by Random House®, a division of Penguin Random House LLC, September 13, 2022).
Here are their top tips:
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Reuse, repurpose and reinvent. Last year’s décor and leftover fabric can become a table runner. Fill mason jars with twinkle lights for charming centrepieces.
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Shop in advance. Add a few Thanksgiving staples to your weekly grocery list. Start early with canned or frozen goods so your pantry is stocked when it counts.
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Bring the outdoors in. Skip expensive florals. A walk in the park can yield branches, twigs and colourful leaves that make for a rustic, seasonal table.
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Decorate with dual purpose. Buy Halloween accents early. Mini pumpkins, gourds and decorative squash will double as table décor for Thanksgiving and later as seasonal touches for late October.
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Keep the bar simple. Offer one red, one white and a batched welcome cocktail.
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Rethink the water service. Instead of pricey bottled water, pre-fill empty wine bottles with tap water.
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Start with soup. Soup is hearty, filling and inexpensive. Serve it in shot glasses or mugs for a casual feel or at the table for a classic starter. Butternut squash or potato leek topped with a simple garnish always impresses.
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Go potluck. Don’t be afraid to ask guests to contribute but assign specific items that don’t require on-site prep. Too many cooks in the kitchen can create chaos.
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Simplify the menu. Guests remember the warmth of the evening more than the number of side dishes they had. Keep it manageable so you enjoy hosting.
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Add fun and games. Toasts, icebreaker questions or a quick party game can elevate the evening.
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