Imagine your dining room turning into a lively, Thai-inspired space that makes you feel like you're going through a busy market street in Bangkok or a peaceful garden in Chiang Mai, but without spending a lot of money. The eating room should be Thai-inspired. This is a cool way to add some warmth, culture, and exoticism to an Australian home. It will show you some cheap ways to bring out Thailand's heavy looks, whether you are having dinner with close friends or family or just want to fill your home with spicy smells during meals. Let's look at some small and big ways to make your dining room look beautiful, from the bright lights of the day to the golden glow of the Thai sunset.
Make a focal point with your wall art.
One easy way to make your dining room look better is to hang framed art that tells a story. Guests think of rice fields, the country, beautiful temples, and a floating market when they think of Thailand. All of these images take them right into the heart of Thailand. There is no need for rare works of art. You should instead keep an eye on thrift stores in your area or eBay Australia sales for cheap prints. If that sounds like too much of a hunt, get some free high-resolution stock pictures, print them out, and put them in used frames from Salvation Army or Vinnies.
For above the dinner table, put together your wall art in a way that looks like a gallery wall. To get the feel of Thai street markets, mix frame sizes and styles that give off a carefree, hour-away vibe. You can make your own frames if you don't have a lot of money. You can use painted wood or, for a truly unique touch, weave bamboo strips. Pick one really striking piece to stand out, like a few really bright pictures of Thai events, and put smaller prints around it to give it more depth and layers. Everyone is really interested in this, and it makes for good conversation at dinner parties.
Mix textures to make a cosy atmosphere.
Texture is very important for making a dining room feel warm and welcoming, like a traditional Thai space. Rattan, bamboo, and silk are some of the natural materials that are often used in Thai interior design. They add beautiful texture without making the space look too small. Another good way to do this would be to use cheap textures that are easy to find in Australia and put them on top of each other. Take the eating chair as an example. Instead, choose a rattan or wicker chair, which you can easily find at stores like IKEA and Bunnings, for something much more open and airy. If the price of new chairs is too high for you, you can cover the ones you already have with seat pads that have pictures of Thai people on them.
Adding layers of plates is another way to add texture. You don't have to spend a lot of money on Thai silk runners. Instead, you can find elegant cotton or linen runners with big prints at local markets or shops like Target. Pair these with bowls made of clay or wood that you can get at a discount home goods store. For a more authentic look, put a small Buddha statue or carved wooden figure in the middle of the room. For the best deals, shop at Asian grocery stores in the areas of Sydney, like Cabramatta or Richmond. This mix will create a physical, all-around experience that is both high-class and down-to-earth.
Thai-inspired music will light it up.
The right amount of light can make or break your eating space, and Thai design focuses on soft, warm light to make people feel welcome. Picture that warm colour coming from the sun into a garden with Thai lanterns. Creating a cosy atmosphere at home is easier and cheaper if you string fairy lights or paper lanterns around the dinner table. You can get it at your neighbourhood Big W or from Kogan online. To make it look like candlelight, choose warm light bulbs. This is a real reflection of Thai hospitality.
For an extra fun activity, make your own Thai-style lanterns with cheap bamboo sticks and rice paper. You can find these items at stores like Lincraft. They give off a dreamy vibe and soft lighting when hung above the dinner table or set on side tables. You could also group several candles together in decorative holders; just be sure to find ones that are made like lotuses in Asian import stores or online. In order to keep everyone safe, you should never leave a candle unsupervised. Lighting will give cheap Thai magic shows a much-needed touch of charm.
Add plants for a tropical look.
If you want to find eating rooms that are inspired by Thailand, all you have to do is think of the country's beautiful outdoors. Adding plants, which are easy to find in Australia, is the best way to add some colour and life to the dining room. You can find cheap tropical plants like peace lilies, ferns, and even small banana plants at the Bunnings store closest to you or at the seedling pots in the neighbourhood. If you don't have much luck with plants, you could buy fake plants from Kmart or Spotlight. They look just as good and don't need any care.
It would be nice to make a kind of Thai garden around your sitting area by placing plants in the right places. A big plant in a pot can make a part of a room look stronger, while smaller pots on tables and window sills make the space feel more natural and fresh. Add some fake orchids, which are Thailand's national flower, for a nice touch. You can easily find them at craft shops or online. These small patches of green will help you bring the charm of eating outside in Cebu to your home.
While Putting the Whole Theme Together
Thai diners are magical places where the little things that tie everything together have a life of their own. Think of the atmosphere you’d find in a Thai restaurant: warm lighting, lush greenery, and a sense of harmony that makes every meal feel like an event. You could look at any way an element can make you feel good in every way. For instance, some soft Thai instrumental music is all you need to set the mood. You can stream these songs for free on Spotify. Another big one is smell. Candles with lemongrass or jasmine smells would make you feel like you're in Thailand for a moment. You can get these scented candles for a low price and easily find them in stores like Priceline or shops.
Serve food in a way that makes people feel like they are part of a Thai community. For dishes like pad thai or green curry that you want to share, use big platters. Sharing makes people talk to each other and is similar to how families eat in Thailand. If you're having a dinner party, place cards written by hand in Thai-style writing will add a personal touch. You can get free calligraphy templates online and print them at Officeworks on paper. These little things don't cost much but help you connect with others in a big way.