We eat out more and at home, we sit together for meals less often, according to research. Some studies indicate that the frequency of family dinners has declined by 33% in the last 20 years, as we ditch the table for the tablet (in the UK, just 18% of families eat together) and eschew the traditional six o’clock repast for a recline on the couch with a bowl of something slurpable instead.
Sure, we’re busier. That’s a given. And the lure of HD TV, screen-stacking and social media has seen the family evening meal fade into obscurity in many homes. As a result, we either use our kitchen or dining tables as dumping grounds for our detritus – bills, Amazon deliveries, stuff to send to the charity shop – or we’ve gotten rid of them in favour of smaller setups – studies indicate that up to 20% of people have trashed the table.
Calligaris Fifties chair, €POA, Frankmcgowan.comBut we’re on a mission. Not only is a great dining setup a beautiful centrepiece in our increasingly open- and broken-plan living spaces, but science supports the idea of sitting down in groups to eat too. It can strengthen relationships – dedicating that time to actually speaking face-to-face is vital – as well as helping you make more mindful food choices. And if you’re particularly stressed, there’s good news: A US university conducted a study of IBM employees, which discovered that family meals help to defray the tension of long office hours.
If all of that doesn’t convince you, perhaps Instagram might. Delicious dining setups are some of the platform’s most popular content, with 1.9m images tagged #diningroom. Go on, get snap happy.
Total Eclipse
Think curves - the shape is ideal for a nook or smaller space and offers better hip room and circulation too
Texture Trick
The gorgeously glossy surface of the Cattelan Italia Atlantic CrystalArt Table, €4,534, at Bushellinteriors.com, works well with moody matte walls, the embellished elements on the sideboard and the high polish the chandelier and accessories. It's a composition class to take style notes from
Add a mix and match of chairs to HK Living's Black Oval dining table, €939, Woodesign.ie, for an eclectic, I-didn't-try-too-hard result
The Porada Infinity dining table in ash with Calacatta marble top, €3,545, and Ester chair, from €883 each, at Bushellinteriors.com, are heirloom pieces
The Charlie Round 4 Seat Dining Table in grey, €169.99, Argos.ie, is designer specially for smaller rooms or apartment living5 spacious and space saving oval tables
Giove black frame extending sining table, €899, Ezliving-interiors.ie
Ligne Roset Ennea marble table, from €3,765, Arenakitchens.com
Somerset dining table, €699, Michaelmurphy.ie
On the bench
Casual and cool, a bench makes dining fun again - especially for kids who may find sitting at the table tiresome
The Valetta dining table, from €629, and bench, €259, both Arnotts, are a great choice or a large open-plan space and will mix and match well with any interior scheme5 perfect table accompaniments
Arundel oak bench, €820, Neptune.com
Valetta dining bench, from €229, Caseys.ie
Aura bench, €299, Ezliving-interiors.ie
Calia smoked oak bench, €358, Meadowsandbyrne.com
Kare Zipper bench, €309, Woodesign.ie
Extended vision
Keep it tidy for day-to-day, bust it out for big gatherings
Soubling in size, the Jones grey extending dining table, €339, Marksandspencers.ie, is a space-saver
The Easton Dining Table, €1,499, Harveynorman.ie, gives a whole new look
The clean lines of the Calligaris Ponete extending dining table and the Anais chairs (available in a variety of shades) work well together. Find both, €POA, at Frankmcgowan.com5 perfect chairs for extra-long conversation
