Category Archives: Dining Room

Design Trends for 2025: Fresh Ideas for Your Arizona Home

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As 2025 begins, homeowners in Arizona are reimagining their spaces to reflect modern trends that blend functionality, sustainability, and aesthetics. Living in a desert climate comes with unique design opportunities and challenges, and this year’s trends are perfectly suited for Arizona’s vibrant, sun-drenched environment. From embracing natural elements to integrating cutting-edge technology, these ideas will inspire you to create a stylish, comfortable, and functional home.

Let’s explore the top design trends that are making waves in the Arizona market this year.

1. Earthy, Desert-Inspired Color Palettes

Arizona’s breathtaking desert landscape serves as the perfect inspiration for 2025’s trending color palettes. Homeowners are moving toward earthy tones that echo the natural environment, such as terracotta, sandstone, sage green, and soft clay. These hues create a calming, grounded atmosphere while harmonizing with the region’s unique beauty.

How to Incorporate These Colors:

  • Use warm neutrals like beige or taupe for walls, creating a versatile backdrop.
  • Introduce accent colors like sage green through furniture, throw pillows, or rugs.
  • Experiment with two-tone kitchens by pairing terracotta lower cabinets with off-white upper cabinets.

Pro Tip: Combine earthy tones with natural materials like wood, rattan, and leather to create a cohesive, desert-inspired design.

2. Sustainable Materials for Eco-Friendly Living

Sustainability is no longer a trend—it’s a way of life. In 2025, Arizona homeowners are prioritizing eco-friendly materials that are both durable and beautiful. The desert climate demands materials that can withstand extreme temperatures while minimizing environmental impact.

Popular Sustainable Materials:

  • Reclaimed Wood: Perfect for adding warmth to rooms as accents or custom furniture.
  • Clay and Terracotta: Tiles, pottery, and decorative elements.
  • Metal Accents: Copper and bronze decorative details, nodding to Arizona’s mining history.

Why It Matters: Sustainable choices reduce your home’s carbon footprint and often lead to long-term cost savings through energy efficiency and durability.

3. Luxurious Outdoor Living Spaces

Arizona’s weather invites outdoor living, and in 2025, homeowners are maximizing their exterior spaces with luxury and functionality. Outdoor areas are no longer just patios; they’ve evolved into fully equipped extensions of the home, complete with kitchens, seating areas, and even entertainment zones.

Design Tips for Outdoor Living:

  • Shade Solutions: Pergolas, retractable awnings, or sail shades provide relief from the sun while maintaining an open feel.
  • Outdoor Kitchens: Include a grill, sink, and refrigerator to create the ultimate entertaining space.
  • Desert Landscaping: Use xeriscaping techniques with drought-tolerant plants like agave, succulents, and desert marigolds.

Pro Tip: Install string lights or in-ground lighting to create ambiance and extend the use of your outdoor space into the evening.

4. Energy Efficiency as a Design Priority

Energy-efficient homes are a necessity in Arizona, where cooling costs can soar. In 2025, homeowners are turning to smart design features and innovative technology to reduce energy consumption while keeping their homes comfortable.

Must-Have Energy-Efficient Features:

  • Low-E Windows: Reflect heat while letting in natural light.
  • Cool Roofs: Roofing materials designed to reflect sunlight and reduce indoor temperatures.
  • Smart Thermostats: Automatically adjust your HVAC system for optimal efficiency.
  • Solar Panels: Harness Arizona’s abundant sunshine to power your home sustainably.

Pro Tip: Combine energy-efficient features with passive cooling techniques, such as planting shade trees or installing window overhangs, to further reduce energy use.

5. Open-Concept Living with Multifunctional Spaces

The open-concept trend continues to thrive in 2025, with homeowners seeking flexible layouts that cater to modern lifestyles. In Arizona, open spaces provide a sense of airiness and facilitate indoor-outdoor living, which is ideal for the region’s climate.

Open-concept living in Arizona is more than a design choice—it’s a lifestyle. By breaking down traditional barriers, homeowners can enjoy spaces that flow naturally and adapt to various needs. In the desert climate, open layouts blur the line between indoor and outdoor living, creating harmonious transitions perfect for entertaining or relaxation. Large sliding glass doors and windows not only maximize natural light but also provide easy access to shaded patios and courtyards, encouraging year-round use of outdoor spaces. To enhance functionality, consider zoning areas within open layouts using rugs, furniture arrangements, or partial walls. This approach maintains the open feel while subtly defining areas for work, dining, and play.

For busy families, combining elements like a kitchen island with built-in charging stations or a media nook transforms a space into a true command center. Similarly, small touches such as collapsible partitions or plant walls can provide privacy when needed without sacrificing the expansive atmosphere. To tie the look together, use cohesive materials like stone or wood for a seamless, grounded aesthetic. In Arizona, where the desert landscape inspires creativity, open-concept designs reflect both the beauty of the environment and the flexibility of modern living.

Ideas for Multifunctional Spaces:

  • Combine a home office with a guest room by using a wall bed or convertible desk.
  • Create a family hub with a large kitchen island that serves as a dining table, workspace, and social area.
  • Use creative room dividing solutions to seamlessly connect indoor living areas with outdoor patios.

Design Insight: Emphasize natural light by incorporating large windows to make open spaces feel even larger and more inviting.

6. Biophilic Design: Bringing Nature Indoors

Biophilic design continues to gain traction as homeowners seek to connect with nature. For Arizona homes, this trend often involves integrating natural elements that mimic the desert landscape, creating a seamless blend between the indoors and outdoors.

Elements of Biophilic Design:

  • Indoor Plants: Succulents, cacti, and other low-maintenance greenery add life and color to your interiors.
  • Natural Light: Letting in as much natural light as possible is a simple way to connect with nature indoors.
  • Organic Materials: Incorporate stone, wood, or woven textures into your furniture and decor.

Pro Tip: Use natural textures and colors to complement views of the surrounding landscape, making your home feel like an extension of the environment.

7. Smart Home Integration

Smart technology has become a staple in modern homes, and in 2025, it’s about creating seamless integration for enhanced convenience and efficiency. Arizona homeowners are leveraging smart systems to improve comfort, security, and energy use.

Top Smart Features for Arizona Homes:

  • Smart Irrigation Systems: Conserve water while keeping your desert landscaping healthy.
  • Voice-Activated Assistants: Control lighting, temperature, and appliances hands-free.
  • Smart Appliances: Energy-efficient refrigerators, ovens, and washers that can be managed remotely.

Why It’s Trending: Smart homes not only enhance daily living but also offer significant energy savings, making them a practical choice for eco-conscious homeowners.

8. Statement Walls and Bold Textures

While neutral palettes dominate, 2025 also welcomes bold textures and statement walls that add depth and personality to interiors. These design elements serve as focal points, allowing homeowners to showcase their unique style.

Ways to Make a Statement:

  • Use textured plaster or 3D wall panels for an accent wall.
  • Incorporate artisanal tiles with intricate patterns in kitchens or bathrooms.
  • Add woven or macramé wall hangings for a bohemian touch.

Pro Tip: Keep bold textures confined to one or two areas to maintain balance and avoid overwhelming your design.

Designing Your Arizona Dream Home

2025’s design trends offer exciting possibilities for creating a home that’s stylish, functional, and uniquely suited to the Arizona lifestyle. From embracing earthy palettes to maximizing outdoor spaces, these ideas can help you craft a home that reflects your personality while catering to the desert environment.

If you’re ready to explore these trends in your next home, our team is here to help. Contact us today to learn more about our floor plans, design options, and customizations https://www.fultonhomes.com/. Let’s bring your vision to life and make your Arizona dream home a reality.

How to Create Tabletop Vignettes

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While nice furniture and quality flooring can add style to your home, it is also the smaller details that matter. Perhaps one of the most effortless ways to add sophistication to your home’s decor is by stylishly arranging vignettes on the tabletops and shelves. Creating such grouping is a form of art that, when done correctly, can be eye-catching.

You can use all kinds of accessories to form eye-catching vignettes. Plus, vignettes can be reinvented as the season changes or when you find a new piece or simply at your whim. To help you master vignettes, here are some tips for putting together great arrangements?:

Select an Anchor Piece

Start off by selecting an anchor piece. Your anchor piece is what makes a bold statement. Since this will serves as the center of interest, you must select an item that has value to you. Choose an item that has some visual width and height. Mix up the texture of the items as well. That means hard and soft, shiny textured items can all be displayed together.

Give Consideration to Visual Structure

Visual structure is everything; therefore, arrange items into a form. This type of structure will prevent things from looking thrown together. The shorter objects should be positioned at the outer edges. Linear arrangements only work if there is a relationship between the selected pieces. There should also be a hint of contrast.

Use Odd Groupings

To make a dramatic impact, try arranging similar objects in odd number groupings. For instance, objects arranged in groups of three and fives are more visually appealing.

Do Not Forget the Background

The background plays a vital role in the display. Busy wallpaper can cause the arrangement to look chaotic. It is vital that the background complements and unify the vignette. White walls are a neutral background. If you want to dress things up a bit, mirrored backgrounds can increase visual interest by magnifying light and color.

Build Around a Lighting Source

Your vignette will likely go unnoticed if you build it in a dark corner. Therefore, it is best to select a location that is well-lit so that your guests will be able to get the full effect of your arrangement.

We hope you found these tips and tricks helpful! Be sure to subscribe for more expert advice.

Ideal Measurements for the Perfect Dining Room Layout

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Are you in the midst of decorating your dining room? The key to creating the perfect dining area that is both highly functional and well designed is having the appropriate measurements for the space. In fact, taking the ideal measurements for the dining room ensures that you do not form a layout that is uncomfortable and awkward to navigate. Keep in mind that you will be having meals with your family and entertaining in this area, thus understanding the dimensions of the room will help you create an enjoyable dining experience.

Understanding Dimensions

Planning for the perfect dining area requires that you are aware of the dimensions of the dining area. You will need to select furnishings that allow for clearances to maneuver, and you should also focus on purchasing pieces that are proportionate to the size of the dining room. Here are some standard measurements for the average dining table:

  • Rectangular Dining Table: Of course, the contour and size of the dining area should determine what type of table that you select. Rectangular-shaped dining tables will fill up narrow dining areas. If you desire a rectangular dining table, then you should consider one that goes with the dimensions of the room. Start off by measuring the length and width of the table. A standard size rectangular dining table measures about “36-40” inches wide. Depending on how many people you want to seat, it measures as much as 60” inches long to seat up to six people.
  • Round Dining Table: Round dining tables are a space-saving option because they often lack square corners. Round dining tables are ideal for smaller-scaled spaces. An average round table is approximately 48 inches in diameter. If you are considering adding a round table to your dining room, you will want to select something that can accommodate your desired amount of diners.

Walking Room

Whatever type of table you select, to furnish your table, be sure to leave at least 36 inches between the table area and the walls. This will give you enough space to move throughout the room.

Place Setting

What about the diners? When eating at the table, it is essential to make sure that there is enough space between each place setting. Each place settings should be at least 24 inches apart. This gives the diner elbow room and at least 20 inches of legroom underneath the table.

We hope you found this article helpful and for further assistance, be sure to check out our other blog posts here.

Purchasing The Perfect Dining Room Chairs

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From casual breakfast nooks to elegant formal dining spaces, dining rooms come in all shapes, sizes, and styles. Everyone knows that one of the most essential elements of a dining room is the dining chairs. From traditional dining sets to mix-matched dining chairs, the design possibilities are endless. But before you invest in dining chairs, it is important to consider these essential factors:

  • Is it the right height for your dining table?
  • Is the fabric durable and easy to clean?
  • Is it comfortable enough for the type of entertaining you like to do?

Digging deeper, we created a guide for choosing the best dining chairs for your dining space. Let’s take a look!

Design

While it has become trendy to pair a contemporary with traditional chairs and vice versa, focus on finding pieces that share a common design element. For example, if you have opted for a square-shaped dining table, you will want to make sure the chairs feature the same shape. Or if the table has an intricate design on the legs, you should consider purchasing chairs with a similar look on the legs to create design consistency.

Dimension

The standard size of a dining chair is approximately 18 inches in height while the average dining table sits at 30 inches. As a general rule of thumb, you will want at least 12 inches between the top of the seat and the bottom of the table. Also, the chairs should match the scale of the table. So if you have a grand dining table, you will likely want to invest in bigger chairs.

Avoid purchasing chairs that are less than 17 inches narrow. Why? Really, cramped seating will not provide an adequate amount of support for your guests and will likely be uncomfortable. To create the ultimate comfortable experience, look into chairs that are 20-24 inches deep.

Surface

Deciding whether to invest in an upholstered chair or select something with a natural, easy to clean surface can be difficult. With upholstered chairs, you can expect someone to spill something on it sooner or later; therefore, the question regards to maintenance and upkeep. If you want that upholstered feel but low maintenance, consider leather chairs. Fabric chairs tend to be more challenging to clean than leather seating.

For more professional decorating advice, visit us weekly at Fulton Homes. Thanks for reading!

Decorating The Dining Room

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Since the dining room is where you share meals and quality time with your family during the week and where you host your dinner parties, it is essential for this area to be inviting and full of warmth. As you take a look around your current design, is it time to breathe a new life into your dining room? If you said yes, you would want to consider several factors such as color, style, and function. Below are some tips that can inspire you: 
 
Lighting Scheme
Modernize the dining area by updating the lighting scheme. If you are interested in trying something edgy, try installing industrial-style lighting. You can then balance the look by using furnishing that embraces natural materials such as a distressed wooden dining table combined with wicker chairs. 
On the other hand, if you are set on embracing a more classical look, then it is time to go chandelier shopping. Chandeliers are a great way to create an area of interest. The width of the chandelier should be approximately ½ to ? the width of the table and at least 30-34 inches above the table. You will find that chandeliers help create a focal point in underwhelming spaces and instantly add elegance with their charming demeanor. 
 
Chairs
If you already have a set of chairs, you can merely freshen them up by adding slipcovers overtop of them. Chair slipcovers allow you to easily change the look of a chair without taking away from the design. If you want to get fancy, you can have custom slipcovers made with monograms on them. You can even purchase standard slipcovers in all kinds of styles from popular furniture shops. 
 
Add Just A Pop of Pattern
A touch of a pattern is great for brightening up dull spaces. You can add a bit of pattern to the windows with some modern Roman shades that feature a modest pattern. You can also opt to add a design to the walls with a striped paint or even consider installing a wallpaper. Today’s wallpaper is a far cry from your grandmother’s dull wallpaper. These days they are manufactured in fun graphics and geometric patterns to add flair and creativity. 
 
Colors
Do not be afraid to use bold colors. In fact, by doing so, you can make a big statement. Dark colors can help portray an elegant feel whereas softer, neutral tones can create a homey atmosphere. Whatever look you are trying to achieve, you can accomplish it with the right paint palette. 
 
For more tips and tricks, check back weekly!
 

Ideas for Decorating a Vaulted Room

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Decorating a vaulted room can be an exciting undertaking. A few key things to consider when decorating spaces with vaulted ceilings are artwork, curtains and lighting. Here are a few tips for each category.

First, hanging artwork is a great way to decorate a room with vaulted ceilings. There are a few tricks for hanging artwork in a room with an arched ceiling. First, it is important to mimic the ceiling line to complement it. Also, keep wall art around eye level. Finally, vertical rather than horizontal artwork works better with a vaulted ceiling.

Next, curtains are excellent for rooms with vaulted ceilings. There are many options for how to hang them from covering the whole wall or framing windows. There are also many choices when selecting curtains like color, fabric style, and length. Fabric styles vary and have various benefits. For example, polyester is affordable, sturdy and long lasting. Cotton curtains are another option; they drape well, and go well with a modern décor. You can choose sheer cotton for an airy feel or a tightly woven cotton for more privacy. Silk curtains also drape well, and are heavier than cotton. Silk curtains can be damaged by too much sun exposure, so it is important to protect them; they also require dry cleaning, which is something to consider. Linen curtains are also dry clean only, and drape nicely. Natural light easily seeps through the fabric, as it is sheer. Velvet curtains are always a classic choice. They look elegant, and insulate well. Velvet is a heavy fabric, and is a good option for drafty rooms. Finally, lace is another option. Because of the sheer nature of the fabric, lace curtains provide an airy light feel to a room.

Finally, lighting a room with vaulted ceilings is another key feature to make the space look its best. There are several options to choose from, and it is recommended that one layers the lighting by choosing several options. For starters, pendant lights work well. They are often suspended by chains or rods. There are a wide variety of sizes and shapes from which to choose. Another option is track lighting; track lighting is often used with a sloped ceiling. This option allows for greater control over the direction of the light source. The lights situated on the track can be manipulated to face multiple directions at one time. Recessed lighting is also a good choice. Recessed lighting is an excellent choice for adding ambiance to an environment. It can be used to spotlight artwork, or a specific area of the room. Finally, wall lighting is also effective. Wall sconces are an excellent choice in a room with a vaulted ceiling as they can direct light in multiple directions highlighting the height and depth of a room with a vaulted ceiling.

These are a few ideas to help you decorate a room with vaulted ceilings. Please contact us if you have any questions!

An Inviting Dining Table

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wWarner-Groves-at-Morrison-Ranch-065 - CopyWhen you’re planning the look of your dining area, there are a lot of elements that make the space inviting. Here are a few tips to make your dining area catch people’s attention.

The perfect chandelier: More even than the table itself, the right chandelier makes a dining space stand out. You want something that reflects the style of the space. You also want to make sure that it is the right size for your dining area and your table. It should also hang at the right height – not so low that it shines in your diners’ eyes, but not as high as most ceiling-mounted fixtures. Generally a chandelier should hang 32-40 inches above the table. It should be just large enough to light the table’s surface without lighting the diners.

The right dining chairs: If you want your guests to linger after dinner for an enjoyable conversation over dessert and coffee, pay careful attention to your dining chairs. Make sure they will be comfortable for at least an hour or two. Look for nice padding on the seat and maybe the back, and make sure the backs lean so that people aren’t forced too upright. Be sure to sit in any potential dining chairs for more than a few minutes before you make your choice.

Accessories that add interest: When you are not actually dining, look for a table centerpiece that helps link the table to the chandelier. These tall flowers do the trick in this photo. But when you have guests for dinner, put this arrangement on your island and keep any centerpieces low enough to converse across the table.

Colorful table linens and white plates: This rule is not written in stone, but many chefs swear that food looks better on white plates. Color in your table linens adds interest and personality to your table.

Daring Lighting Makes a Room

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wWarner-Groves-at-Morrison-Ranch-009The dining area often provides the best opportunity to showcase daring lighting. If you are tired of the classic chandelier look, today’s light fixtures offer you plenty of interesting and contemporary alternatives. This light is a good example.

In the past few years, shades have grown in popularity. They help keep light evenly distributed and provide the opportunity to add a fabric element among all the metal. But this shade is far from standard.

First, the proportions are unusual. Only about six inches tall, the wide circle feels almost sculptural. This is helped by the dramatic rectangular design elements in the light itself. There’s an echo of some mid-century modern fixtures but with a styling that stays true to today.

Notice the second lamp just like the first one in the game room. Having two of the exact same lamps with almost a mirror look adds to the daring feel of this lighting choice. This particular light has a dramatic impact when viewed from a distance.

Lighting is a good way to bring style into a room. When you choose just the right light for each space, your choice can add a strong element of design. In this case the light is clearly the focal point for this dining area.

Fulton Home models provide a great venue for viewing some of the best of today’s lighting choices. Visit our new models at Warner Groves in Morrison Ranch to see this and other interesting and unusual lighting options.

Inviting Space for Family to Gather

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inviting-space-for-family-to-gatherwWhen you’re choosing your next home, be sure to look at more than room size, the number of bedrooms and bathrooms, and the amount of storage. Take the time to think about how you and your family will really use the home.

Do some members of your family work from home or have demanding school requirements? Then be sure that you have planned for space that allows them to work or study quietly with minimal distractions. Do you and your spouse enjoy having a cup of coffee together in the morning to discuss the day’s plans or maybe a quiet conversation in the evening to relax before getting ready for bed? You may want to take the time to scope out where you can comfortably have that rendezvous.

And if your family values its together times around meals, this kitchen and dining area may be ideal for you. With island seating for quick short-order-cook breakfasts and a roomy table near the kitchen for full-scale family-style dining, this space is suited to whatever meal patterns your family finds comfortable.

Does everyone gather, working together to get dinner ready? There’s plenty of room and counter space for lots of helpers. Maybe some of the younger ones are up for after-school snacks. That island is the perfect place to munch while sharing highlights of the day with other family members.

There’s plenty of space, plenty of light and plenty of seating for everyday eating and larger holiday events. How about staging a buffet on that lovely island? Take a closer look at this kitchen, designed with socializing in mind, at Fulton Home’s Cooley Station community.

Balance Formal Casual Traditional Contemporary

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balance-of-casual-and-formal-traditional-and-contemporarywIs this dining room formal or casual? Traditional or contemporary? Actually, it has elements of all four. Let’s take a look at how it’s put together and why it works so well.

Formal: The basic chandelier has classic lines, even crystal pendants, to maintain a formal traditional theme. The table also shows its formal roots with the dark-wood finish, turned legs and detailed edging around the top.

Casual: the choice of placemats and napkins in bright colors and patterns rather than the more classic white tablecloth approach says casual. Also, choosing a simple fabric for the dining chairs’ upholstery maintains a more casual feel.

Traditional: The dining table and chairs as well as the chandelier’s basic lines are classic and traditional but…

Contemporary: Choosing the circular frame around the chandelier takes it out of the last century and bumps it firmly into this one. The stoneware is also modern in line and glaze.

Overall, this dining room combines many design approaches into one cohesive whole. It works for several reasons. The proportions fit well together and there is a nice mix of dark and light. It takes courage to blend these different approaches to décor together, but when it works – as it does in this case – it is a pleasure to see.