Posted on Mon, Oct. 26, 2009
From buying less to eating in more, a bad economy has a negative effect on spending. Eating at home instead of at restaurants can be a wonderful way to save money while bringing the family together for meals - but a dining room that's too stuffy can make your family lose their appetite.
The first thing that can make a dining room seem less inviting is the seating arrangement. Chelsea Bandy, an interior designer and owner of Chelsea Remy Design in Austin, Texas, recommends updating the dining room with more casual seating. "By incorporating a bench seat or a banquet, you tone down the formality of the space while also allowing flexibility in the number individuals who can fit around the table," she says.
Another way to instantly redo the feel of your dining space is by updating the tablecloth - "I recommend choosing a more neutral-toned covering such as a chocolate brown or cream, and allow the place settings and center pieces to be your pop of color," Bandy says.
Of course, centerpieces don't have to be large floral arrangements or complicated candelabras. Think comfortable and cozy. Instead of a buying formal napkins or placemats, Pittsburgh designer Melodie Schooley recommends making your own. "Go to a fabric store and get a casual cotton fabric, fold the corners and hem them," she says. It's a big idea, but a cheap way to personalize the dining space. You can even have the kids decorate them with fabric markers.
Don't go overboard though - the point is to save money by making a space in your home that's a cozy restaurant alternative, not a design masterpiece. Think of these small touches as big ideas to jumpstart the savings.
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