Arguably the best part of the holidays are the meals we share with our family and friends. From the turkey and stuffing at Thanksgiving to the seven fishes and latkes at Christmas and Hanukkah, the best memories are made around the table. Setting the scene in your dining room plays an important role. Here are tips on how to create a holiday dining room this season.

• The colors. What color are your dining room walls currently? If a paint job has been on your mind for awhile, a fresh coat is perfect before the holidays kick into full gear. Choose a neutral color or a deep red or green. You now have the baseline for a holiday-themed dining room that won’t be out of style come springtime. The expert Glen Carbon, IL painters can help recommend a color that will pop for the holidays and work all year round.
• The centerpiece. You can switch out your centerpiece depending on which holiday you’re celebrating. For Thanksgiving, a cornucopia is a traditional choice. Mini pumpkins, leaves, and acorns can also serve as a centerpiece for a Thanksgiving table. For the winter holidays, berries, branches, and pine cones are all fitting. There are plenty of options you can purchase or create yourself if you’re a DIY-master.
• The table. Choose a crisp tablecloth or table runner. A white base with gold accents is holiday-centric without being in your face. You can also give your dining room chairs extra flair by tying tinsel or red ribbon into a bow around the back of the chair. Adding these simple finishing touches can elevate your dining room’s elegance with ease!
• The place settings. Your plates and dishes should complement the rest of the decor in the room. If you are serving multiple courses, stack your dishes and bowls according to size. Place a cloth napkin on top and finish it off with a holiday-themed napkin ring. You should also use holiday-themed drink rings that guests can choose and place around their wine glass to identify which glass is theirs.
• The decor. Less is more. Your table is going to be the focal point of the dining room so you don’t want to go overboard in the space surrounding it. You want there to be enough room for people to move about freely when they need to get up. Focus on the curtains if you have windows in your dining room. Choose a fabric and color that go with the rest of your theme. Drape garland or tinsel along the curtain rod for an extra holiday touch.
• The extras. If you have a buffet, wine cart, or another type of serving station in your dining room don it with a gold tray. It can hold your glasses, an ice bucket or the different types of beverages you will be serving. Assigned seating isn’t a necessity but cute holiday-themed place cards are a nice addition to the table and could be a keepsake.

Creating a holiday dining room is simple. Tiny touches to your table and place settings can speak volumes. For more help with transforming your dining room this holiday season, contact Kimberly Paulus, a Sienna Plantation interior decorator.