Working Neo-Classic Style into a Light, Airy Dining Room

Much like contemporary furniture designs, neo-classic designs usually feature clean, rectilinear lines, perfect circles, and other geometric shapes that are easily defined and rigid. In a bright, open dining area, this can be hard to incorporate, since you are essentially marrying two styles: The dark heavy look of neo-classic style with a more modern, light airy ambiance. However, working neo-classic style into a light, airy dining room is not difficult when you know what to look for and how to mesh the classic nature of the furniture with the modern, airy feel you desire.

Defining Neoclassical Furniture

Although neo-classic designs often look much like the oversized antiques that we see in Renaissance paintings and medieval artwork, the similarities end at size. They can be bulky pieces, but are not always thus, and sometimes they are very petite or dainty pieces that look great as dining room chairs in a formal or casual space. The heavier pieces are perfect for formal spaces, but will quickly overwhelm a light, airy dining room unless you are working with a large space.

On occasion, neoclassical furniture will be very detailed, such as the intricate carved pieces that you see in modern castles and mansions. Look for dining room pieces that are overlaid with gold accents, such as a leafy pattern or floral arrangement, in order to introduce a springtime feeling to heavy furniture. In a light, airy dining room, it can add a feel of the outdoors if the pattern is leafy and bold, and it offers a stunning and exquisite contrast to light, bright colors as well. If you are going to paint or stain the furniture a lighter color, consider carefully how to preserve the gold filigree, as it adds something special to the piece that could be very difficult to replicate if you change your mind and would like it back.

Wood Finishes

Since most Neo-classic furniture designs sport beautiful traditional wood finishes, you can lighten the look by painting the wood white or staining in a very light shade; this is one way to avoid dealing with an easily-marred wood surface. This also brightens the furniture, helping it to coordinate a bit better with an airy, light dining room design, tying that look effectively to neo-classic furnishings. Adding things that help coordinate the light with the heavy is also a big help, such as pastel shades on the tablecloth and table linens with darker shades at the windows and rug. You can also try wooden art and metal wall art in light or dark tones to create balance.

There are a few wood finishes that are light enough naturally, without having to sand and stain a new lighter shade. Consider ash and blonde pine, for example, as shades that can easily be incorporated into a light, airy dining room while still offering the benefits of the neoclassical design style. Add distress or antiquing to the furniture to achieve an old, worn look, which works perfectly with neoclassic designs and light, air spaces alike. Any item or method that can unify the two distinct looks and bring them together to form one, new, modern look without losing anything from either design is really important.