1 If you get a chance to design your dining room from scratch, make a case for windows all around, not just at the rear of the house. Then it almost doesn't matter where you sit for your eye will always be drawn to the beauty outside. You may need to green-up your side passage, or invest in a few pots of colour or an attractive water feature.

2 Add a cosy touch to an otherwise unused corner of the room with a modern chaise. It gives you a great place to get a few minutes of peace while dinner is on the stove. If you wish to enhance your floral fabric's striking blue blooms on a white background, stick to the same limited colour palette for the main furniture pieces. However, it's okay for a complementary colour like fuchsia-pink to work its way into your scheme through soft furnishings. Go for cheery combos of prints, plains and textures - mostly featuring floral or leafy designs - to create just the right air for relaxation.

3 Scatter floor cushions about and, once you've eaten, you'll have comfortable seats you can move outside into the sun or shade.

4 Plan for your dining room to overlook the garden. A light-filled room is a wonderful place for entertaining any time of year, whether for casual drinks, lunch or an elaborate dinner. Its location means food can be cooked inside or out and guests can wander between the house and garden. Bring the freshness of spring to the space by dressing your windows with fabric panels - or blinds if you wish - featuring today's florals. Give your space a modern edge by using an array of large-scale, full-blown blooms in cheerful colours. However, if you fancy a touch of nostalgia, go with delicate, slightly faded blossoms.