Hosting Season: Wine and Dine In Style This Christmas
Christmas is a time to eat, drink and be merry. If you’re hosting Christmas this year or just throwing a festive party, it’s essential to create a practical yet stylish dining space to celebrate with loved ones.
A carefully thought out dining space says, "Welcome” to family and guests whether you are hosting dinner on the big day, or a casual get-together over the festive period.
It is not just the menu you create for your celebrations that is important, but how it is presented. Spruce up your dinner table by creating a table that is as chic as it is festive.
Tables to suit needs
In general,round dining tables are smaller in size and will offer you more space with less volume compared to rectangular tables. This works particularly for smaller rooms and areas where space is precious and a smart arrangement of your interior is important.
The missing corners on a round dining table are particularly space-saving. The round shape is a better use of space, it is easier and more sociable to sit around and means less crowding, where everyone can reach their seats without disturbing each other.
Around a circular table, everyone sits at a slight angle to each other.
This provides space for interaction and a sense of openness and can often create a more intimate feel than the rectangular table.
It facilitates conversation easier as everyone has the ability to speak to everybody, not only their direct seating neighbours. Aside to this, round dining tables create a more informal feel.
There’s no head seat, which often gives a feeling of a special seat or importance.
If it’s a numbers game, an extending dining table is a must-have. Most of our extending dining tables have an easy pop-up extension or an external leaf stored inside the table that can be added when required.
Extendable dining table sets make the best choice for all places that are compact and small. This is because you can extend the length and dimensions of the dining table when you need to do so. During all the other times, you can use it as a regular and smaller dining table.
Extendable dining table sets come in different shapes and sizes. The extending feature makes them aesthetically appealing as well. You can buy an extendable round dining table for your home if your dining area is a very small space.
Similarly, if your dining area is slightly bigger in size, you can always go for an extendable dining table set in a rectangular size. An extendable dining table is available in a variety of shapes, including square and oval as well.
Another practical element to keep in mind with a dining table is the finish.
There are many finishes available on dining furniture, ranging from ceramic, to marble and high gloss or solid oak and reclaimed.
Each of these will have its own advantages and disadvantages.
Ceramic tables are ideal for kitchens in particular due to being heat and acid-resistant, so hot plates can be put directly onto the tabletop, and acidic ingredients and substances can be spilt without causing a problem.
Ceramic doesn't require much protection, these tabletops are more resistant to scratches and stains than natural stone, like marble.
With a wooden table, it is best to go for hardwood, such as mahogany, walnut, maple, oak or teak.
Tables made from engineered or composite woods, which include plywood and MDF, are durable and economical but are never as strong as a hardwood.
Some wood tables include a practical, wipe-cleanable satin lacquered finish.
This is ideal for any accidental spillages that are prone to happen at meal times.
The advantage of a glass-top dining table is that it works well with many decor themes.
And because it has a reflective surface, it is an excellent choice for a space that might need to look a little lighter and brighter.
Glass dining tables are tough, too.
Today’s versions are made with tempered safety glass, which means the glass resists scratches and heat and won’t shatter if knocked.
Mix & Match
Do you want to create a dining set style which shows off your personality? At Cousins we offer a personal mix-and-match service across all dining tables, benches and chairs so that you can create the perfect set for you.
Whether your taste is traditional or contemporary, industrial or country or you want an eclectic mix, you’ll be sure to achieve the bespoke look you are after.
Cousins have a wide choice of styles and sizes available, from round to extending dining tables, corner dining benches, fabric and leather dining chairs, as well as classic hand-turned legs or modern cantilever-style bases.
Simply start by choosing any table design, there’s a style for every home, and then combine your favourite dining bench or chair to complete the look. The service allows you to select as many different combinations of chairs and bench styles as you want.
Comfort is an important factor when choosing to seat for your dining table.
To encourage longer dining, the seating needs to be comfortable, although you can add to the comfortability with a cushion.
We sell our dining chairs individually and with our dining set builder you’re in control of how many chairs you need! So take into account the number of guests you will be hosting and ensure you have enough seating.
Mixing benches and chairs together can help to create your own personal style.
A benefit of having a bench is that when not in use or not required, it can be pushed against the wall or tucked under for additional space saving.
You are also able to fit more people onto a bench, which can save you from buying individual dining chairs. Just as importantly, they’re more cost-effective.
As many people continue to downsize, customers will benefit from using the mix-and-match service to select space saving options such as 2-4 seater tables, or bar tables and stools.
Home Bar
Despite the Christmas season being centred on a sit-down dinner, the entire festivities shouldn’t have to be spent around the dining table. If you want to make the holiday more of a casual occasion, we offer a varied selection of bar furniture for all types of entertainment.
With different sizes of bar tables, dining benches plus round dining tables, drinks can certainly take priority. Play the host or hostess and serve up a tray of cocktails and a platter of canape bar snacks. Clink glasses and relish in the occasion.
A bank holiday night out doesn’t have to stop just because you’re at home. Think drinks trollies, bar tables and bar stools. To create your home bar look, a stylish bar table is a good place to start. With a range of sizes and designs, finding one to fit your interior décor will not be a challenge.
If you are pushed for space but still want to incorporate a drinks area into the corner of your dining room or your living room, a slim bar table is a good option.
A practical space saving solution, a bar table, raised in height, will complement your area and become a central point to enjoy evenings around.
Serving drinks is crucial
A good drinks trolley or bar cart will house your glasses and bottles, plus cocktail shakers, mixers and any other necessities. The trolley will ensure everything is in one place and is easy to get to, so you do not even have to leave your sofa.
A must-have element of any home bar set-up, a bar stool seals the deal. Despite all having similar features, bar stools can match any style of décor and will suit both modern and traditional houses. The stools complete the look and signal a drinks station, without being too obvious. Functional and comfy, bar stools are extremely useful.
Essential tablescape items
A tablecloth or runner will set the focus for your table setting. Whether you choose a festive colour palette with rich reds or dark greens, or opt for a neutral tablecloth that can be used all year round, these are timeless classics.
Soft and subtle tones allow you to incorporate an accent colour that can be used throughout the tablescape.
Select linens and table décor that are in the same colour range.
These combined with a garland or wreath arrangement using similar shades and different types of flowers will add texture
An arrangement of seasonal foliage will bring a table setting to life but be conscious of using anything too high as this may obstruct people’s view.
Adding light-up decorations that run through the garland running across the surface of the table will create an enchanting atmosphere.
Another good place to start is with a clean slate and keeping it minimal by using white plates and bowls. Simple place settings give you more leeway with your table ideas. You can choose a runner or centrepiece without worrying about clashes.
A white porcelain dinner set is a timeless and versatile option that can be used for everyday dining or on special occasions. It makes it easy to mix and match pieces from different sets while still looking cohesive. Charger plates are optional but many people consider them a staple item for a Christmas table scene.
Placing candles, candlesticks and candelabras onto the table adds further interest to your display while casting an ambient flicker of light that is as flattering as it is atmospheric and cosy.
You can use a large-sized candle as your centrepiece of the table with a generous-sized candlestick. Wrap some seasonal foliage around to add an extra dose of Christmas to your table design.
By grouping items together such as candlesticks and vases in differing sizes and proportions, as well as staggering, you can add depth to your arrangement and it will look beautiful to boot.
Further atmosphere can be created by dressing the surroundings of the room itself with more festive pieces. Decorating a statement piece of wall art or a mirror with some tinsel or a garland around can bring the room together.
If the space in which you are dining has a fireplace, you can even dress the mantelpiece with garlands and candles for a nice touch.
Name card holders are a nice touch to your table and can be useful accessories for implementing seating plans and will give a personal twist to your table.
A dinner table is traditionally set with a water tumbler and a wine glass, so make sure you have plenty of those.
If you want it to be spot on, your guests’ glassware should sit to their right.
Ice buckets and jugs of water are a great idea if there’s space, but if not – these can be popped on a sideboard or drinks trolley for guests to help themselves to. Your table will also look more impressive if you lay out the cutlery for each course in advance too – starting from the outside. Having cutlery in silver or gold accents will add a luxurious touch to clean white place settings.
To get the best from your tableware, ensure that everything is clean and polished. Steam or iron placemats, table runners and tablecloths, polish silverware and glassware and check service ware and plates for chips and cracks. Make sure that you have enough of everything for each of your guests. Tablescaping is becoming an art form- dinnerware, glassware and centrepieces have all become opportunities to show off your personal style.
You can grow your collection over time by adding pieces from different collections, producing an eclectic yet stylish table top.
