

Mirrors are a great wall space filler, but think about who might be sitting opposite it, as it can be quite off-putting having to watch yourself eat throughout the evening! How can I make a blank dining room wall more interesting? Opening shelving could be a nice idea too, but again ensure nothing can easily fall and bump heads below. If you have banquette seating, then be mindful of hanging wall art or pictures at a height that won't see guests whack their heads when they get up and down from the table. So while you might want to display those photos of the family on the beach, or the kids naked in the swimming pool, it might be best to reserve them for a more private space, and keep to safer options in the dining room. It's also a space that will probably be seen by many visiting family and friends, dinner party guests and even the kids mates as they come by for tea. What goes on a dining room wall is of course down to personal preference, but always have in your mind, that it is space in which you will be eating, so you don't want anything that might make your loose your appetite. If you're struggling to make your arrangement look freeform, Clare Moreton suggests 'placing your largest item in a central position first and then adding smaller items around it.' What should be on dining room walls?

Proudly display your kids' artwork next to your favourite prints. Avoid the uniform – instead pop your pictures at different heights and mix up your media. Placement of your wall art is key to this look. Painting the wall to dado height is a good way to add a deep block colour without going 'all the way', can make a low ceiling appear higher, and create a feature in a modern home lacking architectural detail. Start with primary colours – choose slightly muted tones of red, yellow, blue and green to elevate your dining space beyond the playroom. A playful approach to dining room wall decor ideas sets just the right note for family tea times, cocktails with the gang, or smiley Sunday lunches.

If any room is a place to have fun with your decor, it's a dining room.
