How to Decorate My Dining Room With English Decor

Decorating your dining room with an English-inspired decor creates an elegant place to entertain friends and relatives. English homes are typically more formal than other house styles and have a refined aura to the rooms. Incorporating furnishings with elegant lines and making sure the area is uncluttered adds to the traditional look of the room. Using the correct colors, wood tones, furniture and other decor is key to decorating this space. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1

Pick dark wood tones for your dining room table and other furniture. Antique furniture also works well with English-style decor.

2

Set a vintage-looking tea cart in one section of the room to add charm to the area. Afternoon tea has long been a tradition in English homes.

3

Use white or off-white table runners or vintage linens with tiny floral designs for your dining room table.

4

Paint your walls a white or off-white color. This shade adds to the elegant and formal look of the room. If you would rather have wallpaper in the dining room, choose tiny floral prints or pinstripes. Other wallpaper that looks attractive in an English-style dining room are textured wallpapers or those with formal motifs, such as a fleur-de-lis or toile patterns.

5

Hang a crystal chandelier or other elegant light fixture directly over the center of your dining room table. Light fixtures should have lots of glass, curved or scalloped edges or porcelain elements.

6

Purchase a large area rug to go underneath your dining room table. Choose a pattern that is formal in style and has an understated design.

7

Pick artwork for your walls that depicts English homes or gardens, horses on a fox hunt or hunting dogs. This type of artwork is reminiscent of the English lifestyle and enhances the decor in your dining room area.

8

Hang wall sconces on either side of your framed paintings and other artwork. This accentuates the formal tone of the room.

9

Decorate your china cabinet with your fine china or your collectibles, but avoid cluttering the area. Another idea is to set out a silver tea or coffee service on one shelf of your china cabinet. Antique clocks, porcelain bowls with scalloped edges or a collection of silver spoons or antique tea cups are also wise choices to display in your china cabinet.

10

Pick a centerpiece that has flowers that reflect the colors throughout the dining room. Low, elegant styles work best unless the table is quite large. Fit the size of the centerpiece to the scale of the room for a balanced look. Shallow oval or round porcelain bowls filled with faux or real fruit also work well in English dining rooms.