“There’s No Place Like the Cabin”
Taste and See In the Dining Room
The dining room is one of those spaces that sees a lot of traffic – parents with their coffee, kids with their backpacks and books, and of course the meals. Its table and chairs are meant for gathering and eating. But the room’s purpose translates into so much more in light of what the day-to-day requires of us. A cabin dining room enjoys the result of those beloved recipes that are made in the kitchen. It’s a room silently asking us to slow down and look up from our devices and away from our screens to enjoy the people that make life the treasure that it is. The cabin dining room may immediately bring food to mind, but the reality of the room’s flexibility calls for a design that beautifully hosts functionality in the best way. Here are some ideas to help you envision a cabin dining room that’s fit for the memories bound to happen there.
Furniture
A cabin dining room without a table and chairs to define it could be misunderstood as any other room in the home. It’s important to intentionally choose these pieces as a compliment to the rest of your tiny home aesthetic. A wood material may be an easy choice to gravitate towards, being that the home itself bears that so generously. But don’t be afraid to consider all your options. Look at the barstools in your kitchen for inspiration on chair-back styles. And peek at the coffee table in the great room for an idea on tabletop shape and leg form. Reflecting on other spaces in a room is especially important in an open concept plan. If there are several different styles in what is technically one large space, the design will appear confusing, disorganized, and the room will feel smaller because of the busyness. If you are not necessarily a traditional cabin dining room kind of person, consider a built-in banquette or breakfast nook. Not only does this save space, but it also adds more seating opportunities and hidden storage. If your design is more organic and earthy, you could choose a simple lighter-toned wood bench and dress it up with pillows. Or, for fun interest, include a fabric to the seat, sporting a pattern that could double as artwork for the room.
Lighting
While you don’t necessarily need a light fixture in the great room since a fan can also suffice for the space, your cabin dining room would be amiss without one gently hanging over the table with nature as its backdrop. As mentioned earlier, take note of the light fixtures throughout the rest of the home to determine the style and finish of your cabin dining room lighting. And don’t forget to measure because it’s more likely than not that the 5-light option will do just fine as opposed to the 7. Farmhouse and modern rustic lighting styles work beautifully in cabin homes. They don’t rob the cabin of what it naturally is, but they also respectfully give contrast and dimension to the home with character, drama, and my favorite, brass. You have permission to be picky with your dining room lighting, since it is needed for all the old and new hobbies expected to transpire at its table.
Decor
With the foot traffic and understood chair movement that takes place in a cabin dining room, you’re going to want to purchase a second area rug when you’re out searching for one in the great room. Steer clear of anything that may be too rough under bare feet and lean away from options that are light in color. Why, might you ask? Just imagine what the clean-up might be after the kids finish their dinner and one of them just happens to knock over your glass of wine on your not-so-food-friendly white rug. Exactly. Centerpieces are a great way to add texture and color to your cabin dining room. Fill your grandmother’s vase with fresh flowers or put together vases of varying heights along with brass candlesticks for something unique. Easily swap in a pumpkin or two, or place a wreath at the center when the holidays come knocking at your cabin door. Oh, and don’t forget the green house plants. You can never have too many of them. Hence, whether you’re note-taking, coffee drinking, news reading while food eating or all of the above, may your cabin dining room design flow, as well as the space, naturally does.
About the Author
Julia holds a BA degree in Communication Studies and is passionate about using words well to tell the stories that matter most in our world. When she’s not working on new ideas for Conestoga Log Cabins, you can find her decorating, baking, or looking at vintage typewriters while antique shopping – all done with a cup of coffee not too far away.