Creating a family-friendly dining space could mean different things to different people, and it can be a hard idea to put into practice when you get down to it - after all, how many families actually use their dining room on a daily basis to make changing things around worthwhile?
Well, it’s true that you might not currently use your dining room every day, but perhaps that could be something that changes - studies show that eating together as a family is good for everyone and can even make your bond stronger, so it’s a lovely thing to get right, and creating a family-friendly dining space is the best way to start (and if you don’t end up eating in it every day, at least you’ll know you’ve got a lovely room to go to when you do eat together). With that in mind, keep reading to find out more.
Durable And Comfortable Furniture
Family meals can get pretty messy, especially when younger children are involved (although some adults are messy eaters, so it’s potentially not an issue that’s going to go away!), and that’s why choosing furniture that’s both durable and easy to clean is an absolute must. You’ll want a sturdy dining table that can handle everything you want it to do as well, which might not just be eating - the dining room is a good space for homework or board games and so on, so you can see how you could use the space more often.
When it comes to seating, upholstered dining chairs are a fantastic option. Not only do they add a lovely touch of elegance, but they’re also very comfortable, so everyone can stay seated for longer. Look for fabrics that are stain resistant as well, or at least easy to wipe down because they’ll stay looking good for longer that way.
Make It Practical For Everyone
A family-friendly dining room needs to work for everyone, from the tiniest members of the family to the oldest ones. If you’ve got younger children, think about adding some booster seats to the chairs you’ve chosen to ensure everyone can be comfortable and see what’s going on (plus that’s going to reduce mess if they can reach their plates more easily). And you’ll want to opt for rounded table edges to avoid any accidents whether you’ve got little ones just starting to walk, toddlers rushing around, or perhaps older family members who are unsteady on their feet.
Storage is also crucial here - a sideboard of shelves can be where you keep all your essentials like cutlery and napkins so you don’t have to keep running to the kitchen through the meal or to set things up nicely. In other words, think about how to create a space that makes mealtimes easier for everyone in a variety of little ways.
Make It Inviting
The best dining spaces are the ones people want to spend time in, and if you’re intending to have more family meals together, that’s something you’ll want to bear in mind - it’ll help persuade the family to give it a try.
Some of the things you can include could be a soft rug, fresh flowers, and perhaps some soft lighting (or lighting that can be adapted for the situation, so it can be brighter for doing homework and warmer for eating and so on. And don’t forget about noise either - dining rooms can echo quite a lot as they tend to have less furniture in them than other rooms, so why not add some thicker curtains or some cushions to absorb a bit more of the sound?
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