Your dining room holds a special place in your home—a sanctuary where cherished memories with loved ones unfold. It offers a luxurious departure from casual meals at the breakfast nook, kitchen island, or couch. While cozy, informal settings have their charm, some occasions call for a touch of elegance and style. However, revamping your dining room doesn't mean it has to be uptight or uncomfortable. If it's time for a refresh, explore these inspiring ideas curated from top designers. They'll empower you to approach your dining room project with confidence and creativity.
Whether you're aiming to impress guests or elevate your family gatherings, these designer dining room concepts promise to captivate. Upgrade your lighting with a sophisticated chandelier, or transform your walls with striking wallpaper that transports you to your dream vacation. Discover a range of styles from farmhouse to modern, Japandi, eclectic, and more, all tailored to suit different spaces—including cozy studio apartments that can still host memorable dinner parties.
Top 90 Dining Room Decorating Ideas
Explore these stunning 90 dining room Decorating ideas below to craft the perfect ambiance and setting for any occasion. With these insights, you're sure to be celebrated as the ultimate hostess.
Go Square for Closer Conversations
Instead of spreading your dinner guests out on a long rectangular table, try a square one. This design by BHDM Design seats eight but keeps everyone close for lively conversations.
Simplify Your Colors
Focus on highlighting your dining room's architectural details by keeping the color palette subtle. Ashley Maddox and Hilary Walker used muted colors in this dining room to showcase the unique ceiling and windows.
Mix Tables for Cozy Gatherings
Create a cozy and intimate dining space with two smaller tables like Jenna Gross did for House Beautiful's 2023 Whole Home. It's perfect for avoiding a crowded feel in a larger room.
Play with Shapes
Jenn Feldman Designs shows how simple shapes and sculptural pieces can create a stunning impact in your dining room. From geometric lights to round tables, it's all about making a statement.
Highlight Original Details
Preserve the charm of older homes like this 1899 brownstone in Brooklyn by showcasing original moldings and medallions, as done by Jordan Slocum and Barry Bordelon of Brownstone Boys.
Add Country Charm
Designer Marshall Watson brings farmhouse charm to life with a traditional plate rack and vintage furniture in this Swedish home dining room.
Design for Everyday Enjoyment
Tamara Honey's West Hollywood townhouse dining room doubles as a gathering spot beyond mealtime, designed to be sophisticated yet comfortable for various activities.
Focus on Unique Details
Gillian Segal's dining room combines a soft color palette with striking black accents and textures like chain link chandeliers and coral table bases, creating a distinctive look.
Bold Colors and Glamour
Hilary Matt's cobalt blue wallpaper and mustard velvet chairs make a bold statement in this dining room, offering a glamorous yet welcoming atmosphere.
Define Space with Grasscloth
Julee Wray uses grasscloth wall coverings to define the dining area in an open floor plan, adding texture and warmth to the space.
Vibrant Color Palette
Jenna Gross uses coral, blue, and green in the dining room of House Beautiful's 2023 Whole Home, creating a lively and versatile space with a custom pedestal table and swivel chairs.
Modern Black and White
Brit Epperson gives a historic San Francisco townhouse a contemporary touch with minimalist black and white decor and airy aesthetics.
Cherished Furniture
Phillip Smith honors sentimental value by incorporating a cherished dining table into his Rhinebeck, NY, weekend house, creating a warm and personal dining space.
Showcase a Bookcase
Sarah Stacey designs a dining room with a focal point on a beautifully styled bookshelf, showcasing curated items and creating a sophisticated ambiance.
Bold Green Walls
Gillian Segal's dining room features deep green walls, complemented by eclectic decor like a sculptural chandelier and mixed material chairs for an inviting look.
Upholstery Upgrade
Garrow Kedigian's Manhattan duplex dining room pairs antique chairs re-covered in velvet with a circa-1900 table, blending traditional elegance with modern flair.
Japandi Style
Joel Wong and Amanda Gunawan's dining room combines Japanese minimalism with Scandinavian warmth, featuring natural materials and a low-profile dining table.
Accentuate Niches with Color
Joe Ireland uses handmade wall coverings to highlight wall niches in a Virginia dining room, adding elegance and depth to the space.
Mix Upholstery and Finishes
Cortney and Robert Novogratz blend different upholstery fabrics and wood finishes for a cohesive yet eclectic look around their dining table in West Village.
Stylish Kids' Table
Alexandra Loew creates a cozy and chic kids' dining area in a Victorian home's dining room, perfect for family gatherings and celebrations.
Dark Woods and Vibrant Colors
Chauncey Boothby's dining room features traditional dark wood furniture paired with vibrant Farrow & Ball Lulworth Blue walls, creating a youthful and sophisticated vibe.
Cozy Banquette Feel
Liz Caan combines a vintage sofa with dining chairs to create a cozy banquette feel in her dining room, offering both comfort and character.
Playful Pink
Nicole Dohmen adds romance and playfulness to Candice van Houten and Guy Pearce's dining room with a pink dining table and striped Roman shades.
Mural Wall Art
Courtney McLeod uses a vibrant mural wallcovering by Voutsa to add drama and personality to the dining room, complementing it with luxurious velvet chairs.
Coastal Grandmother Style
Kari Arendsen designs a dining room with neutral tones, a large wicker pendant, and textured elements, evoking a coastal charm suitable for relaxed gatherings.
Ancient Touches
Lauren Liess incorporates antiques and Jerusalem stone in this Florida dining room, creating an aged and elegant atmosphere.
Bold Red Accents
Cullman & Kravis use cherry red accents against deep blue walls in this formal dining room, enhanced with gold finishes for a luxurious feel.
Tasting Room Feel
Pam Schneider and Pospisil & Brown Architects create a dining room that doubles as a wine-tasting space with built-in cubbies for storage, ideal for wine enthusiasts.
Embrace Texture
Interior Archaeology enhances warmth in the dining room with textured elements like woven wood shades and patterned curtains in neutral tones.
Decorative Trims
Cullman & Kravis elevate their dining room with decorative gold trims on walls and furniture, adding a luxurious and elegant touch.
Unexpected Details
Keita Turner adds unexpected details like a geometric mural and mismatched chairs in this Brooklyn apartment dining room, creating an eclectic and vibrant space.
Built-in Screen
Barrie Benson uses louvered oak panels to separate spaces while maintaining an open and airy feel in this North Carolina beach house dining room.
Warm and Eclectic Nook
Ariene Bethea creates a warm and eclectic dining nook with a mix of matching furniture and cozy fabrics, perfect for casual dining and relaxation.
Ceiling Wallpaper Divide
Halden Interiors uses a sunny sisal wallpaper to separate the dining area from the kitchen and seating area, enhancing the open concept design.
Indoor-Outdoor Dining
Kingston Lafferty Design extends a built-in dining table to create an indoor-outdoor dining experience with accordion glass doors and glossy tile finishes.
Small Space Solution
Heidi Caillier designs a micro dining area with a slim antique table against the wall, versatile for dining, working, or casual activities in small spaces.
Wall-to-Wall Bookshelf
Create a conversation-starting dining room with a custom wall-to-wall bookshelf filled with books and decorative items, designed to maximize storage and style.
Custom Banquette Comfort
Studio Shamshiri designs a cozy dining nook with custom back cushions matching the seats, adding comfort and cohesion to the space.
Functional Dining Table
Heidi Caillier integrates outlets into the dining table for functionality in a multipurpose space, combining practicality with aesthetic appeal.
Durable and Chic
Welsey Moon combines Lucite chairs with outdoor-friendly velvet upholstery around a durable Corian table base, creating a stylish and practical dining setting.
Highlight a Fireplace
This dining room by Studio DB mixes warm and cool tones well. The white walls with light blue-gray trim, a striking chandelier, and a color-block marble table bring energy. Warmth comes from the artwork, chairs, sconces, and especially the fireplace, which adds coziness.
Allow for Movement
In this Chicago apartment by Bruce Fox, the open layout connects the dining and living areas seamlessly. Inspired by a family photo from London in spring, the color scheme features soft peachy paint and a deep pink sofa echoed in the printed armchair at the dining table's head. It all complements the glow of the pendant light.
Revamp Vintage Pieces
Heidi Caillier designed this dining room with contemporary flair and a lived-in feel. Vintage elements like the carpet and light fixture blend with farmhouse touches such as the decorative plate wall and wooden table.
Showcase Artwork
For frequent hosts, a dining room can double as an art gallery. Miles Redd's design highlights a bold Kehinde Wiley painting that sets the tone. It influences the lime green chairs, wallpaper, and molding, creating a cohesive look.
Balance Rustic and Polished
Anik Pearson transformed this Utah dining room into a refined ranch style. Fine craftsmanship and bold colors complement rustic elements like exposed stone, striking a perfect balance without losing charm or elegance.
Upgrade the Basement
Jae Joo upgraded this Boston rowhouse cellar with sleek dark gray-black dining chairs and a simple table. Light gray painted brick and concrete floors, along with a neutral striped rug, complement the space's inherent charm.
Incorporate Storage
Rayman Boozer's family dining room is playful and functional, with a vibrant wallpaper and a playful pendant light setting the tone. A built-in drawer under the banquette provides discreet storage.
Reflect the Setting
Romanek Design Studio's Malibu dining room exudes stylish restraint with modern staples, industrial elements, and natural materials that honor its SoCal backdrop.
Try Unexpected Paint Colors
Suzanne Kasler recommends using unique paint shades with a high gloss finish for a formal yet cheerful dining atmosphere. The deep saturation of colors like Glidden's Seven Lakes, complemented by eclectic traditional decor, adds a dignified European flair.
Go Monochrome
Nicole Hollis Studio alternates seating between benches and chairs in this modern dining room. With white walls and trim, simple black furnishings, and asymmetrical black-and-white art, the space achieves a cohesive and contemporary look.
Hand-Paint Floors
Bold hand-painted floors in the breakfast room of a 1930s home make a modern statement. Matching floral curtains and walls enhance the room's lighthearted ambiance.
Enhance with Raw Materials
Leanne Ford Interiors' dining nook celebrates raw materials like concrete, jute, and wood, with exposed beams adding character. An abstract painting in light clay tones adds a sophisticated touch.
Experiment with Lacquer
Cameron Ruppert Interiors infused glam into a family home's dining room with blue lacquer walls. Upholstered chairs and a beige-cream carpet complement the mood.
Position Near a Window
Arent & Pyke's dining room blends dining chair styles, colored glass vases, architectural framework, and expansive views, ideal for both casual meals and formal gatherings.
Make It Multipurpose
Fitz Pullins chose bold blue for a versatile bonus dining space, perfect for daytime fun and dressier evenings, complemented by a stool for extra seating.
Create Moody Vibes
Anne Pyne's moody dining room pairs rich jewel-tone fabrics and patterns with modern-art-esque elements, achieving a formal yet edgy atmosphere.
Mirror the Walls
Leanne Ford Interiors amplified a dining room with mirrored walls and eclectic artwork leaned against them, creating a laid-back and reflective space.
Embrace Bold Colors
A lavender statement wall contrasts beautifully with turquoise accents and traditional red barrel chairs in this cozy dining room, adding vibrancy.
Match the Kitchen
Jean Liu's open floor plan integrates sleek cabinets and pendants, enhancing the harmony between the dining room and kitchen.
Showcase a View
Corey Damen Jenkins designed a versatile family dining room with rounded edges on chairs, table, pendant light, and planter, balancing the room's angular windows and overall tone.
Utilize Buffet Space
Tamsin Johnson maximized storage and display space with a buffet that matches the dining table, highlighting the artwork above.
Enhance Versatility
Chenault James created a multifunctional table for a family room, converting from a coffee table to a dining table to a Ping-Pong table, perfect for varied activities.
Opt for Minimalism
Elizabeth Roberts Architects achieved a grounded atmosphere in their dining room with earthy colors and materials, complemented by sculptural lighting and clean-lined furniture.
64. Make Everything Count
When space is limited to a small dining area, every piece should be impactful. Designed by 2LG Studios, this setup achieves just that. The dining chairs with curved chrome frames, the round pedestal table, square sconce, and geometric candleholder together create a beautifully designed space focusing on shape and style.
Focus on Dimension
2LG Studios' dining nook expertly uses shapes and design elements—from curved chrome dining chairs to a round pedestal table and square sconce—for a visually striking space.
66. Choose Interesting Chairs
Robert McKinley Studio's small dining space uses a spherical paper pendant light and black-painted window trims, enhancing its circular motif and contrast with a square rug on concrete floors.
67. Mix Old with New
This Catskills dining room features modern chairs against a high-gloss blush ceiling and an Art Deco carpet, blending antique and contemporary elements.
68. Balance Form and Function
Studio DB's dining room combines formality with comfort using a built-in velvet banquette, barrel chairs, unusual lighting, and wallpaper to add character without compromising space.
69. Get Creative
Elizabeth Roberts Architects' brownstone dining room features a painted wooden table with splatter paint, showcasing a free-spirited vibe alongside an organized storage wall.
70. Keep It Cozy
Robert McKinley Studio's circular dining table fosters conversation and coziness, enhanced by a spherical pendant light, black window trims, a square rug, and classic gilt frames.
71. Strike a Balance
Studio DB's modern dining room pairs blush tones and turquoise accents with black elements, achieving a sophisticated yet whimsical ambiance.
72. Have Fun
This dining room embraces boldness with a hand-painted mural, ornate gold chandelier, jute rug, and raspberry upholstered seats, with an accent chair always ready for extra guests.
73. Hang Photography
NICOLEHOLLIS' California-inspired dining room features a casual color palette and material choices with precise detailing and symmetry, creating an elegant aesthetic.
74. Channel Tea Time
De Gournay's tea wallcovering lends a feminine touch to this Connecticut dining room, complemented by a plaster-finished chandelier and antique Swedish chairs.
75. Spotlight Curtains
Arent & Pyke's dreamy dining room relies on rose-colored sheers to create a warm ambiance, softening formal elements throughout.
76. Try a Pop of Color
In Emil Dervish's apartment dining nook, a red accent adds vibrancy, complemented by a steel blue sconce and concrete planter for an industrial vibe.
77. Keep It Clean
This dining room's modern lines and symmetry create sophistication, highlighted by sculptural lighting, large-scale abstract art, and clean-lined furniture.
78. Spotlight Florals
Studio DB's dining room features a cutout table base that provides architectural interest, paired with round-back chairs and a large light fixture to highlight vases and floral arrangements.
79. Embrace Pastels
Soft sage walls provide a muted backdrop for Swedish Rococo chairs and a custom table in this Scandinavian vacation home's dining room, with a banquette adding coziness.
80. Use Year-Round Colors
Tamsin Johnson alternates Kelly green slipcovers with inky navy and dove gray hues, offering vibrant versatility without seasonal changes.
81. Mix Casual and Formal
NICOLEHOLLIS' dining room balances formal elegance with dining benches for a casual touch, creating a versatile and sophisticated space.
82. Get Eclectic
Romanek Design Studio combines organic-lined chairs with natural wood, green artwork, and black tableware in a subtle bohemian dining nook.
83. Choose Dramatic Wallpaper
This Texas dining room boasts a dramatic jungle wallpaper and green molding, transforming the space with high-octane design.
84. Play Up Architectural Quirks
Corinne Mathern's dining room highlights exposed beams in earth tones, complemented by modern abstract art for a timeless yet fresh aesthetic.
85. Keep It Light
A blue-and-white beach house dining room feels casual with lanterns instead of a traditional chandelier, enhancing the wallpaper with a gallery wall.
86. Select Artful Lighting
A Hamptons dining room features modern chairs and a custom chandelier that serves as a focal point and functional art piece.
87. Spotlight a Motif
In this Manhattan apartment, a custom De Gournay wallcovering creates a secret garden atmosphere, completed by rattan chairs.
88. Ensure Comfort
This dining room balances wild wallpaper with matte clay-hued pendant lights, sheepskin throws, and blonde wood furniture for a fun and comfortable ambiance.
89. Embrace Geometric Designs
This small dining space combines traditional and modern styles, featuring houndstooth upholstery, blue-and-white geometric tiles, and classic pendant lights.
90. Display Collectibles
In a San Francisco apartment, dining room doubles as a library with art collection display and a warming zebra-print rug.