How to Design a Sleek Dinner Setting for Your Valentine’s Date
No plans to dine out for Valentine’s Day? You can still celebrate the occasion in style right in your own space. With these quick tips from Interior Stylist Kitty Bunag, you can transform a corner of your home into your very own romantic nook.
First, she reminds us that there’s more to designing a space for the love season than overloading it with cliche elements. The key is to create a mood that sparks an emotional response. So, start with a clear canvas and let go of the usual design concepts tied to the occasion. Envision a space that is special but not saccharine, classy but not overdone. What’s also great about this approach is you can easily customize the styling for other special occasions like birthdays and anniversaries.
DO: Create a mood. DON’T: Over-style.
“Setting up a dinner date should be a sensory experience rather than a set design,” Bunag stressed. “There are many beautiful elements to style with, but too much may become distracting.”
With this in mind, she suggests designing a space with a mood that both you and your date will appreciate and enjoy for the entire Valentine’s evening. The stand-out details or vibe of your favorite restaurants, for example, can serve as an inspiration. What themes or motifs do you both enjoy? What memories or emotions do you want to emphasize for this special occasion?
Even the smallest details, like how you are seated for the dinner, can enhance the mood that you have in mind. “Also, when doing your place setting, I personally prefer sitting next to my date rather than facing each other,” she shares. “It’s more intimate and relaxed but can still be very refined.”
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No need to fill the space with candles and roses.
Going romantic for Valentine’s Day no longer means decking the place with dozens of roses and candles. Instead, Bunag recommends putting all senses into consideration. The goal is to design the space to spark an emotional response through sight, taste, sound, touch. “It must be visually free of distraction, relaxed, conducive for a long conversation, good subtle light, comfort food, and your favorite choice of music.”
Next, pick a quiet spot in the house that can serve as your “canvas.” Work around the textures and hues within that corner. Also, you don’t necessarily have to add anything fancy or involve any major assembly to make this spot look extra special. “Add something from your garden that compliments or contrasts your choice of canvas. See how you can incorporate the patina of a vintage candelabra, or combine sticks and stones with linens and pillows,” she suggests.
Checklist for outdoor spaces
Outdoor spaces are perfect locations for romantic dinner dates. Therefore, if you have a spacious balcony, a cozy gazebo, or a relaxing yard, you already have an advantage. It opens you up to many design options, but there are still a few things to keep in mind.
Bunag reminds that the area should be comfortable, cozy, and organized. “Make sure the area has good ventilation, free of insects, and has provision to create good light. See to it that there’s an area where you can set up your music. Choose the most comfortable chairs. Investing in a nice rolling bar cart can also serve as a tray for extra cocktail glasses, condiments, etc. to keep your dining table clutter-free.”
Styling and photography by Kitty Bunag
