Make your dining room work day and night

If your dining room hosts as many family meals as dinner parties, you'd want to make sure the colour scheme you choose works just as well for casual settings as it does for formal ones. You might want to try contrasting a neutral palette with one bright colour, such as a vibrant purple feature wall or a statement accessory, like a rug or piece of artwork. This will help you create both a feeling of comfort for daytime and a striking backdrop for an elegant dinner.

Flexibility is key when designing a dining room that works for all occasions. Deck out your ‘day’ dining room with accessories that can be easily moved and stored at a moment’s notice, like a bright patterned tablecloth, freestanding blackboard and stackable storage containers. When evening sets in, simply pack these away and replace with more grown-up accessories, such as glassware, tea light candles and a bunch of freshly-picked flowers.