Another cold snap in Southern Ontario has us thinking that spring will never come knocking at our door. It’s during this frustrating time that I crave the brightness of spring. So if mother nature won’t brighten things up outside, the least I can do is make the inside of my home reflect a brighter and bolder state of mind.

Now I’m not advocating spending money in these tough economic times on what some people would consider frivolous home adornments but I truly believe to get us out of the winter slump as Sheryl Crow might say…"a change would do you good!" And the dining room is the first place I’m going to look to. Such an important space shouldn't sit there year after year looking exactly the same with the same old boring china, glassware and linens. Consider changing things up this year with a new dinnerware set or perhaps a new table cloth or set of napkin rings. You'd be surprised how much a small change in scenery can do for a room and for your spirits!

To help get you thinking where you can make a change, here are some of the top dinnerware trends for 2009, according to experts at Cookware.com

Bright Colors, Bold Statements
Bright colors lift spirits. It's just a fact. That's why interior decorators recommend painting your space with warm colors - yellows, reds, and oranges. The same goes for 2009 dinnerware trends! Vibrant colors are in. Bright oranges, yellows, blues and greens, as well as dinnerware adorned with shimmery metallic accents, help to cheer up your tabletop and, in turn, your dinner guests. Mixing and matching dinnerware sets is also big right now - for instance a black dinner plate paired with a bright yellow side plate. Contrasting colors really pop. Wild vibrant patterns, prints and designs with Native American, African, and Eastern influences can also be seen on tables across the country.

Greener Dinnerware, Greener Environment
Eco-friendly this, eco-friendly that - everywhere you look, manufacturers of everything from rugs to refrigerators are going green. It was only a matter of time before dinnerware manufacturers went eco-friendly. Made from a variety of recycled products from glass to plastic as well as clays and wood - eco-friendly dinnerware is available in all price ranges and many styles and colors.

Shapely Shapes & Sizes
Gone are the days when dinner plates only came in either a round or oval shape. Walk into a fine dining restaurant and you're sure to find exquisitely presented meals served up on square and rectangular dinnerware. Today’s dinnerware trends are definitely leaning more modern than traditional. Don't get me wrong though, every home has room for a traditional bone white china dinnerware set. It's a good idea to at least consider adding splashes of color and creating interesting silhouettes with irregularly shaped dinnerware pieces. it just makes for a more interesting table setting.

Even if you consider yourself more traditionally-minded, a little dining room makeover could be just what you need to lift you out of the winter funk you might have found yourself in for the past few months. Just have fun with it!