THE DINING ZONE

The dream dining space should be convivial, inspiring and stylish to encourage your guests to mingle. Allow room for the party to flow from the dining space to other social areas. Make the furniture layout as open as possible and opt for chairs that are elegant yet easy to move around. If you can’t find a dining table that meets your exact requirements, create a customised set, suggests Woo; he recently ordered a 16-seater custom-made dining table for a family who enjoys hosting frequent gatherings. Make sure your guests are not left stranded in the room while you head to the kitchen to prepare more food and drinks. A solution for this is a bar cart, which will allow you to set up everything that you might need near you; or even better, create a bespoke home bar. “If you are incorporating a home bar, position it near the dining area or lounge as this is where it will be most utilised,” recommends Barratt. “This will also create a focal point, balancing out a big dining table or large sofa.” When it comes to the design of a home bar, Barratt suggests a space-enhancing idea: fuse it with a column to conceal a boring structural element.