Dining Rooms
     The focal point in a dining area is most often a china or buffet and hutch, but, can also be the table itself. If there is no room for a china, a small console or buffet will be very useful. For a nice display, place a painting or mirror over the console or buffet for height and the table will always look great with a centerpiece.

     The dining area is used for those special occasions; so, don’t be afraid to use a formal dining room set here. Dining rooms always seem to be built smaller than they should be. If this is the case, while shopping for quality dining room furniture, keep in mind that you will need approximately 3 feet behind every chair for you and your guests to be comfortable getting in and out. If space allows, a china cabinet or buffet and hutch are especially nice pieces for a formal dining room. They are not only large, beautiful focal points, they are great for displaying gorgeous china and crystal along with providing great storage and hiding places for unused platters, silver etc... Choose a china or buffet and hutch with drawers and doors. There are many of these pieces that now feature extra slideout surfaces for dishes or appliance outlets and granite or marble, heat resistant tops. Table bases range from trestle dining tables, leg dining tables to pedestal dining tables. Choosing one over the other is a matter of taste and preference.

     Area rugs for a dining room are especially important if you have hard floors. Choose a rug that will accommodate the chairs when the table is expanded fully.

     Lighting your dining area with a chandelier centered over the dining room table is best. Wall sconces or buffet lamps add decorative lighting over a console or buffet and most china cabinets or display cases will offer interior touch lighting.