Dining room Checklist 🥗
Let’s talk about the dining room. This brilliant part of the home is where you, your family and friends gather around a table to eat, chatter and enjoy each other’s company. It could also be the place where you and your children come to do home or maybe it’s your area to WFH (work from home). Whatever it is designing this area is crucial.
Here’s an updated photo of our St Albans project.
Budget and Finances
Everything always begins by checking your budget. Gathering as much information for this area. Keep in mind storage areas (would you like a bookshelf or simple units to store items without being visible), lighting, flooring and wall treatments, and extension work (if needed). Once you’ve gathered this information it’s then time to research companies that cover all these areas.
Create a wish list for items you really want but don’t need, and compare them to the items you need. Is there a way you could use the wants as needs?
When hiring an interior designer a lot of this is already known by them, JCavaree Interiors recommends local companies in St Albans, Hertfordshire and offers their trade discount too.
Sharing the information you’ve gathered with these companies will help to give you a better understanding of how much your project may be.
Ask local trades if they could help with an estimate, and state all the information you have gathered. A lot of trades will offer a free quote but make sure to shop around!
As an interior designer, I research materials and items before purchasing for a client. Remember to buy materials that are highly durable and cost-efficient, this doesn’t mean the cheaper option. Shop locally being based in Hertfordshire we will purchase from trades locally and small businesses!
Finally time! Time is money after all! How long will the renovation take? How long do you have for the renovation? Have you added in time for surprises? (This is also included with money). When will this section be finished so the next section can start?
Planning permission
Your project may need planning permission if you’re adding an extension.
You can apply for planning permission or check if your project meets the criteria online through your local council. Here is the one for St Albans Planning Permission. If you have an Architect they can help with this process.
Space Planning
Now let’s get organised! Space planning is the most important step before moving on to the design.
Creating an easy-flow room minimises the risk of injury. So make sure you’re able to move freely around furniture
Did you plan on having some made-to-measure storage units? JCavaree Interiors provides a detailed document that allows there to be communication between the designer and carpenter without the designer being there.
Moving on to the next largest piece of furniture which is the table, this would be the point of interest, so enjoy dressing it up with beautiful linens, table ornaments, fresh flowers, dining sets etc! Make sure there is enough space to walk around, I would usually leave 900 mm from the back of the chair to another object and about 200-300 mm in between each chair.
💡 Place a rug underneath, I would usually have this 500-600 mm wider from each side of the table.
Design
Now that you have a good understanding of how you would like your Living room to work and what you’ll need in it - work alongside an Interior designer to help create the perfect space for you!
Thank you for reading!
I hope you’ve enjoyed today's blog as much as I’ve enjoyed putting it together for you.
Want to know more? or how I could help you renovate your Dining room, click “book your free 1-2-1 today” below and choose a time that suits you best to have a chat!
Looking forward to hearing from you!
Take care, and speak soon
Jess x