A polished-metal dining table is wonderfully versatile. Dress it up with a white and silver dinner set, some candles and fresh flowers for a fabulous dinner party, or go for colourful placemats and some funky melamine plates and bowls for a more informal occasion.

Opulence is the theme in this dining room, and the mirror’s strong black and gold frame and heroic size fi t it perfectly.

Having a room or space devoted entirely to eating, talking and entertaining is a must in today’s busy world – it’s where memories are made! We’ve found a variety of fabulous dining settings we’re sure you’ll love, with tips on how to achieve the perfect look and feel for your dining room.

PICTURE 1: A polished-metal dining table is wonderfully versatile. Dress it up with a white and silver dinner set, some candles and fresh flowers for a fabulous dinner party, or go for colourful placemats and some funky melamine plates and bowls for a more informal occasion.

If you’re short on space, consider putting a dining table in the kitchen. Not only will it provide a spot to enjoy meals, it’ll keep the area open and welcoming to guests.

Dining chairs can refl ect the overall look of a home. These simple, modern ones tie in with the retro feel of the house and aren’t overwhelming.

PICTURE 2: Opulence is the theme in this dining room, and the mirror’s strong black and gold frame and heroic size fi t it perfectly.

Romantic and dramatic, a chandelier over a dining table adds a touch of luxury!

For something different, opt for rattan dining chairs with armrests – big and comfy, no-one will ever want to leave the table! Here, they lighten the room, playing down the dark table and bold mirror.

PICTURE 3: Putting a mirror on a wall brightens a dining area instantly and also creates the illusion of extra space. Don’t forget that large ones are quite heavy and need appropriate fittings to hold their weight.

The star attraction of this room is the dining chairs upholstered in Imperial Brocade by Florence Broadhurst, from Signature Prints. The pink and white print softens the cold metal and glass accents of the chairs, table and mirror.

A round dining table is the best option if you have guests popping over frequently as you can set another place at it easily! They’re also great if you have small children as there are no sharp edges to worry about.

PICTURE 4: A dining setting with a warm wood grain complements most colour palettes and is ideal for casual kitchen dining.

Dining benches are a wonderful informal option and bring on a cosy ambience at mealtimes. Add some funky cushions to make them more comfortable for guests and small children.

This dining table is finished in the same material as the kitchen cabinetry and is also on castors, making it easy to wheel around the house to suit your needs. Put it against a wall for use as a buffet table or butt it onto another table to create space for extra guests at a dinner party.

PICTURE 5: A dining setting with a warm wood grain complements most colour palettes and is ideal for casual kitchen dining.

Dining benches are a wonderful informal option and bring on a cosy ambience at mealtimes. Add some funky cushions to make them more comfortable for guests and small children.

PICTURE 6: This dining table is finished in the same material as the kitchen cabinetry and is also on castors, making it easy to wheel around the house to suit your needs. Put it against a wall for use as a buffet table or butt it onto another table to create space for extra guests at a dinner party.

Looking to create an eating nook in the kitchen? These Urban white chairs from IKEA are fantastic additions as they’re light and stack easily. $75 each.

STORY SELINA GORDEVICH