Dining room UPGRADES

Try these simple ideas for a fresh new look

- ESME CLEMO

1 FILL THE FLOOR

Soften hard floors with a rug positioned underneath your table and chairs to help highlight the dining area especially in a kitchen-dining room or open-plan set-up.

Choose a size that's larger than the position of the dining chairs when they are pulled out.

* Velin Ashen Blue rug, from £159, Ruggable; other items, stylist's own

2 STYLE A CENTREPIECE

Top a tray with a vase of greenery, or a water jug, spare glasses and stack of coasters for a pretty and practical centrepiece. It can stay in place as a display when the table's not in use.

*Spring Hedgerow water jug, £30.99, tray, £12.99, tumbler, £8.99, mug, £7.49, and coasters, £4.49 each, all Gisela Graham