Neptune design director, Fred Horlock, explains how to plan a convivial and ergonomically efficient dining area in a kitchen, dining room or garden.
The informal kitchen diner
The layout
Balance and harmony are key considerations for a well-planned eat-in kitchen. ‘It is important to design both the functional kitchen area and dining area at the same time,’ says Fred, ‘otherwise they can look disjointed.’ He recommends bringing elements from the kitchen cabinetry into the dining area – such as a dresser or maybe storage cupboards for glassware – to better balance the overall effect.
The viewpoints
‘Pay attention to how you will use the space,’ says Fred. ‘Think about both sitting and standing viewpoints, especially from the dining area – you don’t want to be looking at the dirty dishes as you eat, for example. Equally, you might want to position a hob or stove where you can face guests as you cook.’
The island
‘Islands can be great for serving drinks from or chatting over a coffee, but they can’t take the place of a dining table,’ Fred advises. ‘If space restraints mean a choice between an island or a dining table, I would choose the table.’
The dining table
‘When it comes to the table itself, think flexible. Unless you have a particularly spacious dining area, an extending table will allow for large dinner parties while being more space efficient at other times.’ As for seating, Fred suggests a banquette like the Buckland fitted bench for smaller dining areas: ‘It can fit more people. Similarly, refectory benches like the Arundel can be a good way to cater for extra guests.’
The décor
‘You can mix styles between kitchen cabinetry and dining furniture as long as you keep the palette of colours and materials contained,’ says Fred. ‘Alternatively, if you have the same style of kitchen and dining furniture, you can play with colours and textures more.’ Position table lamps in both areas to link the spaces and make the room feel more homely, and limit the number of wall cabinets to allow for wall lights and art. As for colours, a neutral, fresh palette with added layers of colour works best in a space that will be used throughout the day and into the evening. And finally, Fred recommends introducing task lighting for cooking and dimmable lighting in both areas so you can vary the mood of the room as required.
The entertaining dining room
The layout
‘In a more formal dining room, symmetry will help create an elegant feel and ensure no one is sitting at the “good end” or the “bad end” of the room,’ says Fred. Applying symmetry to the plan also helps keep lighting levels balanced and avoids creating dark, unused corners, as you can ensure pendants and wall lights are evenly positioned around the room.
The table
‘Round tables are great for conversation flow, allowing for equal distancing between guests and no hierarchy. However, guests can be left feeling rather lost if there are not enough people at the table. Long or extendable tables offer more flexibility and work well in larger dining rooms, adding to a sense of grandeur.’
The seating
‘For long lunches or dinners, your own, comfortable chair is preferable over bench-style seating. Upholstered chairs like the contemporary Shoreditch or more curvaceous Mowbray are good options.’
The storage and display
‘Bring in functional furniture pieces like a dresser, drinks cabinet or sideboard, then add in favourite accessories that spark conversation,’ Fred advises. ‘Dining rooms should have personality, so introduce artworks, travel finds, or a display cabinet filled with objets.’ If you have unused space, consider a neat, bureau-style desk – such as the Ardingly, which folds flat – and fill corners with plants on plant stands.
The lighting
‘Avoid ceiling spotlights in a dining room,’ says Fred, ‘and instead opt for wall lights that flush the walls, a statement light above the table (ensure there is at least a 70cm gap between the pendant and the table to allow for easy conversation) and non-fragrant candles that don’t interfere with the food.’
The décor
You can be more dramatic in a room reserved for dining: greens or reds are classic options, but keep shades deep, like our Chestnut or Olive, to avoid lots of visual noise. ‘You don’t want lively colours as they increase the speed at which you eat – a ploy used by fast food restaurants,’ warns Fred. Acoustics, too, are important to help relaxed conversation, so opt for curtains that absorb peripheral sound rather than blinds or shutters.
The al fresco dining experience
The layout
‘Planning an outdoor dining area comes with more architectural challenges as the space is less contained and needs to work with both the house and the garden,’ says Fred. ‘Positioning is key – try to locate it near the kitchen for convenience, and think about where the strong sun falls at lunchtime and again at sunset as these will be the times you’ll most likely be using the space and you don’t want guests sitting in the sun’s glare.’
The garden
‘An al fresco dining area needs to work with the surrounding landscaping to maximise the enjoyment of eating outside. Ideally plan the space at the same time as the garden: it should feel part of the garden environment, so surround the area with potted plants and greenery. You could also add plants with a natural fragrance, such as jasmine that becomes fragrant in the evenings, to set the mood.’
Dining furniture
‘You will probably use different areas of the garden depending on the time of day – a morning coffee in the sunshine, a long shady lunch, or afternoons relaxing as the sun dips – so arrange furniture in different spots,’ says Fred. Consider a bistro table and chairs (like the Boscombe) on the terrace for that morning coffee; a dining table under the shade of a parasol. Dining chairs from the Harrington or Longmeadow collections offer comfort and style, while the teak Pembrey table or Regency-inspired Cheltenham collection, with its steel legs and granite top, are sturdy outdoor options. A sofa and coffee table area is good for pre- or post-dinner drinks or a more relaxed afternoon tea. Consider the simplicity of the Kew collection or the more expansive modular Compton sofa set.
The lighting
‘Permanent outdoor lighting can be tricky as it can be rather harsh,’ adds Fred, ‘so keep it low-level immediately around your dining area with downlights like Dartmouth. You could then hang atmospheric festoon lights overhead and use uplighters amongst the greenery.’ He also suggests using cordless lamps like the Hanover alongside candles in hurricane jars to illuminate the table for the perfect al fresco dining setting.
