10 Essentials for the Perfect Colonial Dining Room

The Colonial-era covers a long period, as it began in the 1600s and was prominent until the 19th century. Interior design relating to this era reflects many styles, including French Colonial, English Colonial, Dutch Colonial, and Spanish Colonial. Whether you live in a period property or want to inject some traditional décor into a modern home, the Colonial-style is something that you can recreate. It is a great look for many rooms in your home, but it works particularly well in hallways, formal sitting rooms, and dining rooms. If this is your preferred style, then here are 10 essentials for the perfect Colonial dining room.

1. Restore Any Original Features

If you are lucky enough to live in a period home with some original features, then your first step is to restore as many of these as possible. Even if your house is newer and does not have interesting architectural features, it is possible to recreate some details, such as baseboards, dado rails, coving, and other details. There are imitation products and modern versions of these features available in DIY stores that you can apply to the walls.

2. Add Wood Flooring

Wood is the most prominent material used in Colonial style interior design. Therefore, it is the best option for flooring in a Colonial dining room. If there is already wood flooring in the property that is in good condition, then sand, stain, and polish the existing flooring. Otherwise, there are plenty of wooden flooring options to buy that you can add over the existing floor, and these are different prices to suit different budgets.

3. Choose a Neutral Color Scheme

Usually, only light colors are used in the Colonial style. Therefore, you should select a neutral color palate. Choose creams, beiges, or pale yellows as the predominant colors you use in the room. You can add a little more color with your paintings, soft furnishings, and other accessories. According to Houzz, you should stick to white for the trims in your dining room.

4. Feature Stripes or Floral Patterns

Colonial-style rooms usually feature wallpaper, either on a feature wall or on all the walls above the paneling. According to Old House Online, Avoid the bright and bold patterns that were popular in the Victorian era. Instead, choose pale-colored stripes and florals as these are the best patterns for Colonial interior design. You can also use these patterns on your curtains and other soft furnishings in the room.

5. Add Wainscoting

Many period properties have wood paneling in place. If that is the case, renovate the existing wood paneling as this will work well with the Colonial style. You can either leave the wood in its natural form, stain it, or apply white paint. The latter will brighten up the room. If there is no existing paneling, then adding wainscoting to the lower walls is a fantastic way to apply the Colonial interior design style to your dining room.

6. Choose a Wooden Dining Table

Glass and metal tables are too modern for the Colonial style, so you should choose a wooden dining table and chairs. Both rustic kinds of wood and polished dark woods look fantastic and are suitable for this interior design style. Choose a dining suite in proportion to the size of the room, but that can easily accommodate your family’s dining needs.

7. Upholster the Chairs

Upholstered chairs are a way of adding some color and pattern to the room, and they can also make the chairs a more comfortable place to sit and dine. The good thing about the Colonial style is that you can combine several different patterns in the same room. Therefore, you can use a different pattern on your upholstery to the pattern on the walls. If you only have a limited budget, but you have good DIY or craft skills, then you can buy a second-hand dining suite and reupholster the chairs yourself in the fabric of your choice. Upholstering chair seats is surprisingly easy.

8. Hang a Metal Chandelier

Proline Range Hoods describes chandeliers as a must in a Colonial-style home. These a practical item gives light to the room, but they also contribute to the overall look you are trying to create. A metal chandelier in either brass or gold-plate is the best option for this style. Ideally, buy an antique chandelier and have it rewired. The best position for the chandelier is central to the room and directly above the dining table.

9. Display Some Paintings on the Walls

Artwork can make a significant difference to the overall look of a room, and your choice of art will contribute to the interior design theme you have chosen. Furthermore, paintings can add pops of color, create visual interest in the room, and break up plain walls. For a Colonial dining room, you should choose artwork in a traditional style that reflects the era and avoid modern art pieces in bright colors. Your choice of frames is also important if you want to retain the Colonial feel. Choose either gilt-edge frames or wooden frames to display your paintings. Hang the paintings in prominent positions, such as above the fireplace or on a large, bare wall.

10. Add Some Antique Accessories Around the Room

To finish off the Colonial style of your dining room, you should add some antiques. It is a chance to reflect your personality and interests in the room, so choose pieces that appeal to you. Position them around the room where they will catch the eye. Experiment by moving the pieces around the room until you get the look you want. Elle Décor says that symmetry is a key element of Colonial style, so try to incorporate symmetry into the manner in which you place your accessories.

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