THE JOURNAL

Dining room

Ideas & guides

Keep plates, glasses, linens and serving pieces close to their task, with manageable stacks and a clear route for setting the table.

Ideas & guides

Plan the route between cooking and eating around serving, chair movement and cleanup, rather than making two rooms merely look connected.

Ideas & guides

Arrange bottles, glassware and tools around preparing and serving drinks, with realistic space for handling, cleaning and closed storage.

Ideas & guides

A cart can carry a complete serving task or clear a table, provided it has a useful parking place and remains stable when loaded.

Ideas & guides

Drop leaves can release floor area, but hinges, supports, stored chairs and everyday conversion determine whether a folding table is useful.

Ideas & guides

Compare extension arrangements by the work of opening, leaf storage, chair clearance and the space needed around a full table.