1. SOFTEN SHARP LINES WITH CURVES

While painted Shaker or Edwardian-style cabinetry is often a key component of country kitchens, it can feel slightly linear. 

In this all-white scheme by Neptune, a sense of softness has been achieved by incorporating a round dining table rather than an oblong one and adding softly sculpted dining chairs dressed with soft calico covers.

2. MAKE ROOM FOR MORE

A small dining table with banquette seating serves two important functions, providing more seating space that takes up less room is of course the most important. 

It can help with storage space, too by incorporating drawers beneath to store table linens, seating cushions and much more. 

3. PULL UP A SEAT

Bar seating at a country-style wooden topped island is the perfect casual eating alternative to a formal dining table. 

While it won’t accommodate all the family, bar stools can be used to give a central island an extra function and then be pushed neatly back under the worktop overhang to make space when they’re not in use. 

4. USE COLOR AS AN ANCHOR

Pair an angular, wooden dining table with rustic, curved-back farmhouse chairs painted in the same shade as a dresser to pull the various elements of a design together. 

Darker shades for the wall panelling, dresser and kitchen doors help to add depth, while paler tones employed on the flooring, worktops and walls and a tall cabinetry bank prevents the darker shades from becoming overbearing. 

5. ALL TOGETHER NOW

Family gatherings are clearly at the centre of this design by DeVol for presenter Zoë Ball. The long built-in banquette that divides the room serves to both zone and bring together the scheme by using soft furnishings and a bold feature wallpaper in similar tones. 

Relaxed bench seating, rather than chairs, on the kitchen side of the table help to make things feel even more homely and is helpful where space is tighter.

6. FRENCH FARMHOUSE CHIC

Situated in the centre of the room in place of a more modern choice of an island, this pale wood dining table with tuned legs is the perfect look for a more formal Gallic-inspired room. Paired with high-backed, upholstered chairs and cool grey cabinetry it exudes grand country house elegance.