Just like in the restaurant: create your special dinner at home

Spending most of our time at home, we all probably long to enjoy an uplifting dinner in our favourite restaurant. So why not create the environment worthy the restaurant at home? It doesn't matter if it's a romantic dinner for two, a family celebration or a special occasion just for yourself. Our interior designer reveals what could help brighten up your daily life at home.

Create that cosy feeling
If you think of setting up an exclusive restaurant at home, start the journey with appropriate lighting. As we enter a restaurant, we usually find ourselves in a dim, romantic, and calming environment. So forget about general lighting: candles of various colours and shapes, as well as dimmable table lamps will help you achieve a much better effect. To make the dining area even cosier, consider putting some fluffy cushions or chair pads on your chairs.

“When choosing new textiles or other accessories, consider whether their colour matches your interior, furniture and other items at home. Decorate your table accordingly – this will make it smoothly blend into your home environment.”

Tips for serving the table
Let the dinner delight not only your taste buds, but also your eyes. Vintage drinkware placed next to modern design plates and cutlery will look smart and unusual, while several new and rich-coloured dishes would produce a more vivid effect. Those who hesitate to experiment with colours and prefer minimalism may want to try playing with textures: purchase several originally-shaped dishes and combine them with your existing items in the same or slightly differing colour.
 

“You don't have to buy new dishes or cutlery every time – just creatively add a few new elements to the tableware and textiles you already have. Use repetitive decorations or single-coloured tablecloths, mats or runners that only cost a few euros to unify the looks.”

Her Majesty the Tablecloth
Simply renewing the textiles can fundamentally change the overall look. For example, a plain white tablecloth would instantly create an elevated mood. It never goes out of style and suits perfectly for a festive table. However, in order to make your white tableware more visible, dare to try a patterned tablecloth instead or add some darker, single-coloured tablemats, inexpensive runners or napkins. These will provide no less elegance and cosiness.

Final touches
Live flowers always make people feel special. You can simply put fresh flowers in a vase or use some dried ones to decorate the plates. Other accessories like candlesticks, vases, or serving utensils would also enhance the overall image. Even if you decide to create your celebration from what you already have, keep in mind that cutlery wrapped neatly in a textile napkin or a card with some warm words to your loved one may be all you need to set the mood.

Less is more
One of the common mistakes in serving the table is overdoing: too many decorations, plates and food can make the table look messy. A movable kitchen trolley would easily solve the issue. You probably remember seeing a movie scene where at a luxury restaurant the waiter brings dishes or desserts to the table on an elegant trolley. Now anyone can have a similar but even more practical solution at home. 
 

“The kitchen trolley can hold dishes or items that will not be needed throughout the whole evening. Here, you can keep a teapot, cups or desserts, all beautifully and comfortably arranged. Such a trolley can be easily moved to wherever you need it.”

The Whole Life at Home
We believe that home is the most important place in the world. This is why every year IKEA conducts a global research called “Life at home”. This year, we have focused on exploring the impact of the global pandemic on our relationship with home now and in the years to come.