Decorating A Dining Room For The First Time? Don't Make This Rookie Mistake

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The eagerness of furnishing a new room can come with a few jitters, especially in a space you've envisioned for perfectly shared meals with family and friends, date nights, and holidays. It's natural to be excited, but moving too quickly can be to the detriment of both your design and the room's function. Rather than running to the store and buying an excessive amount of items right away, keeping it simple is best.

Resist the urge to buy everything at once or invest in large pieces until you understand how to utilize your space. Prioritize functionality first, and only buy the absolute essentials. Save dining room spaces for eating, as suggested by Hilary Far, and consider purchasing only the basics, such as a table and a set of chairs.

Starting minimal gives you a clean slate for creativity as your style evolves. You'll be able to avoid excess clutter or statement pieces at the beginning and won't be locked into any bulky pieces. This will keep your space adaptable for your needs, ensuring it remains a place for gathering and eating. 

If you're looking to avoid making your space feel cramped, it might be time to refresh your dining room and kitchen by looking into ways to maximize what you currently have. Whether that means building out a transitional kitchen based on your style or discovering the absolute best storage solutions, when furnishing your first space, it's essential to make sure the spaces that surround where you eat and nourish yourself and loved ones are versatile.

Focus on only buying items that are necessary to start, which gives you the freedom to adapt your space to your lifestyle. For kitchens that lead into dining areas, which is common in small apartments, consider a piece that can flex or be moved, such as this transformer table.

Additionally, add pieces that serve multiple functions, such as a dining room table that can double as a desk or a credenza that can hold dishware for displaying your cookbooks. Maintaining a mindful approach to furnishing can help keep your space feeling open while also allowing for change as your tastes expand. Once you get to a point where your space feels clean and organized, you can even turn your dining room into a destination for date night.