BEYOND THE BUFFET: CREATIVE WAYS TO STYLE YOUR DINING ROOM STORAGE
The dining room is often one of the most overlooked spaces in the home, yet when called upon, the one that has to present the greatest level of refinement. While family meals are an everyday occurrence, it’s the intimate dinner parties that really bring the dining room to life. Looking beyond the dining table and sideboards, the matching dining chairs and cabinets, your dining room can be so much more than just a single-use space.
To make the most of your dining room, storage solutions need to be at the top of your checklist. Here are some creative ways to style your dining room storage so it enhances your space and brings it to life when the candles and table runners are put away.
Add some lift to your décor
Dining room storage solutions don’t begin and end at sideboards and buffet cabinets. Use vertical space with floating shelves to add a contemporary look to your dining room while providing storage that doubles as display areas. This adds a little character to the space without increasing the room's footprint, ideal if you have a smaller dining room. Floating shelves can be home to your table décor when it’s not in use, or as the ideal spot to display delicate glassware.
Mix open and closed storage solutions
Sideboards are generally closed storage options, and while tucking everything ‘out of sight’ may be tempting to keep your room clear of clutter, it can strip it of its character too. Combining open and closed solutions lets you hide everyday dining essentials while showcasing finer elements, so the room feels purposeful.
Creating dedicated nooks
This may not work if your dining area is part of an open plan layout. But if your room is a separate space, you can break it further down into ‘zones’ by creating dedicated nooks and corners. For example, one area of the room could be turned into a small yet intimate wet bar or wine cooler, while another could be used as a condiment station to keep the table from becoming too cluttered.
Contemporary modular design
Modular design is a key feature of modern interiors. Its greatest attraction is that it can be customised to fit any space, creating bespoke storage solutions that can be adapted if you want to switch things around. Modular cabinets and stackable cubes are flexible ideas that can easily integrate with your current dining room furniture or establish a new aesthetic for a complete makeover.
Vintage chic
Retro sideboard cabinets and vintage dining room sets lend themselves to a wonderfully eclectic ‘mix and match’ interior, but with a key theme to hold it all together. That could be a colour choice, a particular period focus such as mid-century Scandinavian, or a stylistic signature. Whatever you choose, make sure you do it with intention. Ensure that your décor feels mindfully constructed rather than ‘thrown together’.
Turn your storage solutions into focal points
While the dining table and dining chairs may be the main focus of the room, you can also make your storage solutions focal points within the space as well. The trick is not to make them ‘compete’ with the table and chairs, but instead complement them. A buffet table, when it’s not being used to display your culinary creations, can be home to a single striking vase or piece of sculptural art. Use lighting to add extra drama without imposing on the space you have.
If this has inspired you to look at your dining room with fresh eyes, why not browse the Dining and Décor sections at CB2 for more ideas?