With the rise and rise of the open-plan kitchen, there are some who have proclaimed the death of the dining room. But we say it's still alive and kicking, especially as we're now allowed guests over once more. It can be such a delight to retreat from the mess and bustle of a kitchen into the civilised, cocooning world of the dining room, where all you have to focus on are your dinner companions. Even in an open-plan space, we like to make sure that the dining area has an ambience of its own – perhaps a statement piece of art on the walls, ceiling lights hanging over the table, and plenty of candles to give softer light after dark.

The furniture is obviously key: a good sturdy dining table, preferably one that isn't too precious so that it can double up in another function, is at the heart of the room. Make sure you have comfortable dining chairs that your guests will be happy to sit in for hours; no one will want to stay and talk into the small hours if they're sitting on an uncomfortable chair, however stylish it may be. Lots of people also include a sideboard in the dining room as a helpful place to keep tableware and glasses, and as an extra surface when you're bringing in more dishes than the table can handle.

As indoor entertaining is now back, we should all be getting our dining spaces in order, so scroll down for our favourite inspiration from the House & Garden archive.