There’s nothing more frustrating than cooking a 5-star meal at home, putting the effort into plating everything, and yet it still feels “meh”. Sometimes, it’s not about what is on our plate, but rather what is around it.

Get The Right Table

Has your table been through wars with your kids and pets? Is it just plain cheap? I’d start with upgrading your table to enhance the dining experience. Remember, when you’re looking at your food, the table takes up the majority of your peripheral vision.

I would recommend going for something understated. You don’t want the bright wood tables of yesteryear. If you want vibrant colors for a change, you can always use a tablecloth. The rise of a more pale, almost grey wood has been interesting to see, and I think it works well for tables as well.

Find The Balance Between Aesthetic And Comfort

Dining room chairs are a tough one. Arms or no arms? How fancy should they look? A lot of it boils down to what you like and what stage of life you’re in. Don’t buy $200 chairs if you know they will get ruined, but don’t be afraid to splurge if you know they will maintain for a long time!

Looking at the set above from Ashley Furniture, I like how the table head chairs have arms and the others do not. This allows for certain chairs to have more comfort while the others allow for more seats at the table. The good thing about this is the versatility. Some people like arms, some don’t. Let me know which you guys prefer in the comments!

Ultimately, the most important trait is cohesion. If your walls are yellow, don’t go for a red set. If your walls are white, don’t go for a dark set. As you can see above, the white walls work well this the grey wood and white chairs, with a rug below to offset the more traditional wood floors.

Even the nicest piece can look grossly out of place in the wrong environment. That’s why buying sets can be a safe move to ensure a consistent look without needing an interior decorator.

Hopefully these tips help you up your game and wow your guests at the next dinner party with more than just the meal. As always, happy cooking!