Formal dining rooms can be one of the most forgotten spaces in a new home. You may have grand ideas about the dinner parties you’ll throw, or the cherished moments of a family dinner, but lives get busy, and the dining room is all but abandoned until the holidays.

Much like any room in your home, the best way to bring energy to your new dining room is to elevate its design. Make the dining room an inviting place, with simple, elegant decorations that make the prospect of dinner downright exciting. Here are the five things you must include in your new dining room:

Mirror, Mirror on the Wall

Not all dining rooms are made equal. If your room is boxy, compact, or otherwise strangely shaped, adding a mirror is an elegant way to open up the space. Even better, a strategically placed mirror can reflect and amplify other design elements in the room. Before you hang, hold the mirror up to each wall to see which view reflects best. 

Bring Beauty to Every Spill

Does anything feel fancier than enjoying a delicious meal served on a beautiful tablecloth? Simple linen tablecloths add instant elegance and clean elements to your dining room. You’ll be amazed at how well a nice tablecloth elevates even the simplest plates and glasses. And tablecloths are generally safe to put in a washer so you can spill to your heart’s content.

Presenting Dinner on a Silver Platter

Okay, most of us probably don’t have real silver platters passed down to us by our great-great-grandmothers. However, it’s easy enough to purchase a few serving platters that pair nicely with whatever dish you’re serving. Plan on getting a cake stand, large oval serving platter, and a few various serving plates for side dishes or appetizers.

Let’s Toast the Host (or Hostess!)

Hand guests the perfect glasses at your next dinner party. Keep glasses on hand for the drinks you often serve, whether it’s wine, cocktails, or pints. You can mix and match styles as long as you don’t go overboard.

Set the Mood with Candles

Sharing dinner with a romantic partner or loved one always pairs well with the soft glow of candles. Keep long, tapered candles in simple holders, or use many tea lights to set the mood in the dining room. Just be sure they’re unscented!

Whether you’re a big entertainer or just appreciate a simple, beautiful dinner now and again, formal dining rooms are a great space to design with soft, elegant elements. Add different pieces – a vase with seasonal flowers or a bowl of fruit – to help the room change with the seasons. You’ll start to fall in love with sharing meals with your family and friends in this room.

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