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DESIGN 101
Dining Room Design Ideas
The dining room is a central feature of your home, where both beauty and functionality are key. Before settling on the vision for your dining room, consider your space and your own style preferences. No matter where you’re sitting down to eat, the dining room can be both stunning to look at and comfortable to use.
Dining Room Design
There are some standard elements you’ll want to have in your dining room, such as an area to sit and eat. Most spaces also have a rug, chandelier or overhead lighting, and accents that complete the dining room space.
But these are just the minimum. Depending on the size and functionality of your space, you might want to add elements. A large dining area might also have a china cabinet or storage for extra serving items within reach. If you’re decorating a small nook you might want to maximize the light and structure seating near a window, pairing a table with padded bench seating. Collapsible or multifunctional pieces are ideal for a small dining room.
No matter your space, you’ve got an almost endless supply of design options for your kitchen and dining room furniture.
Dining Room Ideas
The style options for your dining room range from minimalist to antique, and you’ve got freedom to choose the aesthetic that works best for you. Before diving too deeply, you might want to take stock of your space and get a clear idea of dining room table dimensions. Once you know what pieces you can functionally arrange in the room, you can go wild with your ideas.
Neutral monochromatic
This style option features clean lines and a simple visual aesthetic. You can stick to a single neutral tone, like natural wood, or go for a bolder black and white. The simple design gives an added sense of space and calm, perfect for an afternoon tea or a quiet breakfast.
Antique
Perfect for a larger dining room space where you have access to large windows, the antique aesthetic brings in wall elements like brass curtain rods to work with a heavy chandelier and upholstered seating. Two-toned and bold colors like emerald green and pure white invoke class and elegance.
Open-concept dining room and kitchen
Flow is the name of the game with an open-concept room. There should be no barriers between the kitchen and the dining room, with seating clustered around a kitchen island. The dining room table should have a stripped-back aesthetic to match the open feel, with lighter wood and modern chairs.
Bright and airy
A bright and airy dining room invites natural light to be the main communicator of the mood of the room. The trick is enhancing the light source through light sheer curtains. A roomy table, set with few pieces, can support this feeling of space and light.
Elegant and formal
A place for holiday dining or other large gatherings, an elegant or formal dining room might have a wider, longer, heavier table. Think high-backed or upholstered seating with adjacent cabinetry for additional storage for serving items, dishes, and cutlery. A large overhead light fixture can accent an arched or heavily draped nearby window or patio entrance.
Mismatched casual
With a mismatched casual vibe, you can combine your favorite pieces into one comfortable dining experience. Arrange four mismatched chairs of different styles and colors around a small, round table. It’s bohemian and artistic, making all who sit there feel at home.
Outdoor dining
A meal outdoors has special considerations, as you might be competing with flies, wind, birds, and the occasional rain shower. Outdoor dining room tables should offer sufficient protection from the elements. Consider furniture specifically designed for outdoor use. Nearby storage for dishes and cutlery can allow for easy setup and take down.
Relaxed upholstery
Part of the enjoyment of a meal is sipping a coffee afterward or lingering over dessert. Soft upholstered chairs offer this sense of comfort, so no one is eager to leave and retire to the living room. Consider comfortable but durable fabrics that encourage extended engagement with the meal while seated at the table.
Organic and earthy
An organic and earthy feel gives you the sense that you’re at the cottage or enjoying a weekend every day. Natural wood tables and chairs add to this feeling, as do fresh flowers in a simple vase. A table runner in thick, knotted wool or tightly woven cotton or hemp can also bring this design vision back to earth.
Minimalist and functional
Most closely associated with the modern design aesthetic, a minimalist and functional dining room has sleek lines with easy access to all the elements you’ll need for a great meal. It’s easy to navigate around the table to serve and clean up while remaining spacious and striking with bold, simple colors.
Dining Room Interior Design Ideas
Knowing what you’re after for the feel and look of your dining room is the first step. Take a look at some common design styles that might fit your objectives for function and beauty.
Coastal dining room
The coastal design aesthetic embraces an open, beachy look with bold colors. It’s typically uncluttered and minimal with plenty of light and access to open air. Consider a white or natural-toned dining room table, with wide seating flanked by comfortable, brightly colored pillows.
Mid century modern dining room
The mid century modern dining room takes its inspiration from the long period between the 1940s and 1970s, where earth tones like browns and mustard yellows coexisted. This retro feel for a dining room is a hip, intelligent take on the contemporary dining room.
Cottagecore dining room
The cottagecore aesthetic emphasizes natural wood and stone but also incorporates the conveniences of modern life. A dining room table might be flanked by simple wooden chairs with checked seating pads. A simple rug in a woven cotton or chunky wool knit might be at your feet.
Traditional dining room
A classic dining room follows a traditional style of high-backed, upholstered chairs around a heavy table of dark wood. Other takes on traditional style incorporate a range of other dark, dynamic colors like forest green or deep blues, most notably on long curtains for nearby windows.
Modern dining room
A modern dining room is an extension of the modern kitchen, mirroring its sleek, clean surfaces of plain white, silver, or metallic tones. Seating is streamlined and simple, offering sturdy comfort while enjoying a meal.
Small Dining Room Design Ideas
A small dining room space need not be a design challenge. Think multifunctionality, with storage chests doubling as seating and collapsible furniture allowing for extra room when needed. Keep clutter to a minimum and accent natural light to emphasize the brightness of a small space.
Choosing a design style for your dining room can help you create a space that is aesthetically coherent and functional. Feel free to mix up the design ideas to make an area that’s as unique as you are.