We may not be able to gather with all of our extended family and friends this week, but our smaller gatherings should still be special. We plan to pull out the good china and crystal, although we may be wearing yoga pants for the big event! The setting is key, too. There are details that every dining room should have to help you create memorable meals, even if there are just two of you at the table!

Plenty of Room

Have you ever been to a dinner party where the chair hits the wall when you push it back to stand? Or have you knocked your neighbor’s arm so much at the table that you want to eat in the kitchen? One of the most important things you can do is plan for enough space for the table and chairs in your dining room. You want about 36 inches from the edge of the table to a door, wall, or window. And each person at the table should have 18-24 inches of personal space.

Serving Surfaces

In my interiors, I like to include sideboards or credenzas in the dining room. They’re great for giving you more storage, but they also provide a serving surface. You can put the turkey and sides there and let people serve themselves, or you can put extras like wine and water there to make more room at the table. Either way, these are great functional pieces for a dining room.

Lighting Options

Some soirees call for bright light and lots of excitement. Other events might be quieter and more romantic. I love a big statement light in the dining room, but I always put it on a dimmer switch. That way, you can control the level of light and the mood of the party.

Practical Matters

One thing that can bring a party down is when a big spill happens and the hostess is not pleased. There are so many options for gorgeous performance fabrics that you shouldn’t have to worry if someone drops the gravy bowl. Chair fabrics, linens, and even rugs now come in a range of options that will make messes a breeze to clean so the party can continue.

Leaving Options

I love the flexibility of a table with leaves. Even round tables like the one above can offer ways to expand or contract the size of the table - you can just see the edge of a leaf at one side of the place setting. This year, to be honest, we will probably do without leaves at most tables. But that’s still a good thing! I like the option of having a smaller and more intimate table. It can hide the fact that we have fewer people at the table, and we don’t want reminders that will make us misty.

No matter how my family celebrates this year, I’m thankful that we’re together and that we’re so blessed. I wish you and your families the happiest and healthiest of Thanksgiving holidays!

All my best,

Kara