Dining Area Decor Ideas

Looking for dining room ideas that will work no matter what size space you are dealing with? Whether you're getting out the special crockery to entertain friends or prefer informal but cozy family meals, a well-decorated dining room design is a great addition to your home.

Even if you don't have the space for a dedicated 'room', maybe you want to squeeze a small dining space into an open-plan area, such as a kitchen/living space?

We've rounded up all of our favorite dining room ideas to get you inspired to choose a style, so that you can make the most of your space.

Dining room ideas to dazzle family and friends

'As a rule of thumb, lighter colors tend to make a space feel bigger, while darker colors tend to advance and bring the wall towards you making a room feel smaller. Paint is a clever way to change the perception of space in a room', says Helen Shaw, marketing director, Benjamin Moore.

'If you are working with a long narrow space, like a hallway, you can use a darker color at the end to draw the eye through the space and make the area feel more spacious. As well as using color to create the impression of a larger space, your hallway connects to each room so the color chosen should feel harmonious with the rest of the house.'

1. Create a dark and dramatic dining room atmosphere

Modern dark dining room with statement leaf lighting and assorted velvet chairs

Forget lights, camera action. If you want to create a dining room fit for a movie star, it's more lights, candles, action. Because the devil's in the detail for this maximalist dining room idea.

Chinoiserie-style wallpaper beautifully clashes floral curtains to create a busy eating area bursting with interest. To stop the room looking too OTT, a simple four-seater round dining table is styled with Art-Deco inspired chairs for comfort and opulence.

And don't forget about your dining room wall ideas! Here, a V&A Crane wall print is the perfect conversation starter at the dinner table, while your warming the plates and serving drinks.

2. Match your crockery to your wall color

Pink floral dining area by George at ASDA

Just as pink and green kitchen ideas have popped up all over Instagram, we've got the scoop on Gelato-inspired dining room ideas, straight from George at ASDA.

Layer candy floss pinks and pistachio greens for a sweet take on dining room ideas. Think creamy pastel cushion covers, colored ceramic vases and iridescent glassware. And of course, bouquets of flowers stop this scheme from looking childish.

By matching your crockery with your walls, it makes the pastel pink in this scheme less sickly-sweet and more chic. Notice how vases in sunshine yellow, sage and lavender also break up the rosewater-colored scheme.

3. Create a members' club look for less

Luxury cream dining area by Soho Home with houseplants and mirror

If there's such as a thing as #diningroomgoals - this is it. And would you expect anything less from the Soho Home interior designers? If you can't afford a subscription to one of their members' houses across the globe, why not create a luxurious dining room that pays homage to their style?

Start off by sourcing an oak and polished marble dining table to create an exquisite scheme that is as appetizing as the chef's menu. Then, accompany with chairs are just as tasteful. You'll want to look for seats that have a deep-sit form for comfort. Enhance this already relaxed look by finding linen cushions that cry for you to take a seat on.

Instead of adopting a glass chandelier light, this scheme uses a much more affordable and eco-friendly coconut material. But if you can't find something as exotic, a light made from string will look just as good to create Boho beach feel. Add a large mirror idea and overarching houseplants to create a grand dining setting.

'Rugs are a great place to start when designing a room as they add instant impact and a focal point to your room. Framing vintage textiles and using them as artwork also works really well and won't break the bank.', adds Martin Waller, founder of global design brand Andrew Martin.

4. Opt for a cozy farmhouse scheme for family meals

Country farmhouse chic dining area by Homesense

Whether it's grandma's peach cobbler, or mom's fried chicken, we all have memories of sitting around the table with good home cooked meals. So when looking to create a dining room scheme, you may want to turn to a familiar interior style that takes you back to the good old times.

This dining room design uses a farmhouse kitchen idea as its foundation with rattan chairs and wooden wall paneling. Note the armchair and leather footstool which is perfect for someone who has finished eating and wants to step away from the table. Style with wooden utensils and wicker baskets for storage.

5. Create a tropical and biophilic scheme with plants

Thomas Sanderson Izmir Roman Blinds in Dining Room with palm plants and Ivy

Mood-boosting and anxiety-reducing, incorporating houseplants into your dining room idea can do wonders for your family at dinner time.

Having greenery around the kids can turn an otherwise chaotic mealtime into a tranquil time to sit, eat and spend some quality time learning about each other's day.

Coupled with a roman blind window treatment idea, you can create a calm atmosphere blocking out sunlight or street lights so there's no distractions or excuses for tantrums at the table. When switched on, the bright light from the chandelier will help create pretty ivy-shaped silhouettes too, so your little tikes can pretend they're Tarzan and Jane when tucking into their food.

6. Layer up on textures for a boho style dining room

There's so much to love about this dining room idea, it's brimming full of gorgeous textural elements, let's start with the table and bench – the chevron dining table above is bang on trend – parquet is going to be the next thing so get on it now.

Teamed with rattan chairs and faux fur cushions, this look is the ultimate in tactile heaven, add in a hint of decoration with patterned bowls and glasses, oh and the stunning lampshade, then sit and enjoy your new boho style space.

7. Create a retro 1970s vibe using warm colors

Seventies inspired dining area with wooden dining table and bamboo motif printed wallpaper design

'Browns, oranges and purples were considered the groovy colors of the 1970s and were often used in bold patterns and combinations,' says Joa Studholme, color curator at Farrow & Ball.

'Mellower and easier to live with than those of the previous decade, their earthy natural tones reflected a connection to nature, with dark brown woodwork being extraordinarily popular.'

Cooing over bamboo motif wallpaper ideas? This exact print It's currently available in 62 different colorways.

8. Choose a round table in a small dining room

We love a round table – it takes up less floor space than a square or rectangular table, which in turn makes a small dining room look bigger. What's more, it's the perfect shape for creating a sociable space, and you can squeeze more people around a round table than one with corners.

But can it work for home and school work? Yes, if there's no more than two of you trying to work on it at the same time and they work particularly well for that WFH life.

9. Paint your dining room white to create the illusion of more space

Before being painted, it's possible that this white dining room idea had dark beams and a dark fire surround. The ceiling is low compared to most rooms so painting it white will really help to give the illusion of space. The windows and double doors allow oodles of light to stream in, keeping them blind/curtain free also creates an airy feel. The balance is created by the warmth of the wooden floorboards, the dining table, chairs and accessories.

10. Colorful dining room ideas? Use paint to zone an open-plan space

How delicious are these colors together? A super pretty color scheme that also cleverly zones an open plan space into a dining area that defines the room. Note how the deeper pink comes up and onto the ceiling? What a great idea! You can do this with some Frogtape and a pair of strong arms. The warm tones of the Mid-century furniture look fab against this shade – pick crockery to match the lighter pink to bring the look together.

11. Use dark walls as a back drop to dining room furniture

This fabulously dramatic wall provides the ideal backdrop for this contemporary dining room. We love how the wall has been split into two, with the black skirting and wall painted around the bottom and the bottle green textured effect above. The bright red shelving adds a splash of color and you can change the accessories on it to add in more pattern and bright shades as and when. Opt for interesting shapes like this modern table and chairs - especially that table, and we love the globe light!

12. Keep everything simple for a minimalist dining room

One of the trends for 2021 is about living in a pared back way, more simplicity, fewer 'things' and having more nature in our homes. We welcome this style as it's all about choosing wisely and buying pieces that have style but will last. Ikea is great at being one step ahead and we love the clean lines of this dining room. The textures make this minimally decorated room very welcoming.

13. Need to squeeze dining seating into a kitchen? Choose benches over chairs

Open plan kitchen diners lend themselves to a more relaxed feel and this is why this double bench option works well. But if your open plan kitchen diner is already tight on space, benches are a practical choice, too. They take up less space visually than chairs – and if you can tie them in with the kitchen's decor, like in this room you can create a cohesive look that feels really put together.

14. Need even more seating space? Go for a bench and chair combo

Benches, on the whole, can squeeze on extra bottoms so they're a great option for small people – kids on one side, adults on chairs on the other side right? This Poise bench from John Lewis sits three and you can match it with the Poise table which is narrow yet long – great for a dining room where space is compromised. Plus, it also extends, which is a win win when everyone is trying to 'work' at the same time! The table top has rounded edges too which is a bonus with young kids careering around.

15. Add accent shades for a happy colorful dining room

Color can be such a useful tool when you're revamping a plain space because it can add instant personality and character. In this dining room idea, these chairs are being used as an accent to pick up the wall color and it looks great! The detail in the curtains and rugs also tie in the blue. Another key element here is that many of the pieces are curvy too – the chairs, table and those fabulous lampshades; it all helps to create a successful and uber stylish look.

16. Go moody for an atmospheric dining space

Only use your dining room at night? We're not all fans of light and airy, in fact, deep shades are visually stunning more often than not and this dining room is spot on. To make a look like this work you need balance – yes, we do mention this a lot, but it's true!

This dining room idea is about light and dark – the inky blue walls are perfectly balanced out by the white tableware, the pale blue of the curtains adds a color layer, as well as pattern and the mahogany table and chairs, give a rustic element as well as adding in texture.

17. Pick narrow chairs to fit in more seats

We're not all blessed with a kitchen AND dining room so your kitchen often has to work doubly hard. Ikea are the masters at dealing with space issues and we love how they've zoned the dining area with the rug and their compact NORRÅKER and RÖNNINGE birch table and chairs. Making sure the chairs neatly fit underneath the table when not in use is key for space-saving.

18. Dining room ideas on a budget? Repurpose existing furniture

Having a little shift around of furniture can work wonders to improve a space – and using a sofa for one side of a table is a genius dining room idea that we'll be considering in our own homes!

If it's not quite the right height for the table then add extra cushions to sit on – this option definitely creates a more relaxed feel and mix and matching different styles of seating creates a more individual look.

19. Keep things relaxed with slubby materials

Looking for dining room ideas so suit your laid back style? This relaxing scheme has a hint of both industrial and modern styling. It is minimal in terms of 'things', the table is contemporary yet softened by the linen tablecloth and the chrome pendant and galvanized chairs give a modern feel. The earthenware adds character and gives an organic element to the room together with the textured rug. This look would work with flat bare walls too.

20. Pick country dining room ideas with a contemporary feel

Jessica's beautiful country cottage in the heart of the Peak District was quite dark inside when they moved in. There are only windows on one side of the cottage and Jessica's aim was to harness what little light they gave to be reflected back into the room. White was the perfect choice for this and she also finds it has a calming effect on her which is always a bonus! Jessica decided to keep the beams natural to match the flooring so the space didn't feel too stark and her minimalist styling gives a modern rustic look to match her country kitchen which we love!

21. Add a touch of pattern to a plain space

There's lots to like about this dining room – firstly, the decorative aspect really lifts the scheme. If you love your main wall color and have some tester pots sitting idle, create a stencil or buy one, and add in some contrasting pops of color. It will give the space a new lease of life! The second element we love is the mismatched chairs and rustic table, both create a lovely relaxed feel which is always a bonus and those copper pendants are dreamy!

22. Go for bolder color in your dining room

It's well known that color lifts our moods and you can have a lot of fun creating fabulous color combinations for your dining room that do just that. Take green for example, you can design a whole dining room scheme using different shades of it as shown here. From the teal shutters, to the bottle green dado rail aspect, to the grass green painted chairs and lime green candlesticks and jug. You can use an item to be your starting point - the rug for example, and base your shades around that - we love the pop of pale pink that can be used as an accent.

23. Create a retro American diner

Do you love seeing American diners in films? Why not create your own? This fabulous dining space ticks all of the super cool boxes – the wood paneling, the bench seating, white Formica table and swivel chairs. The pastel crockery adds extra color and look out for a seventies-style sugar pot and milk jug.

Finish off the room with these fabulous clear glass globe lights that can illuminate your dining experience through to the evening and extend the scheme to your cooking area with a retro kitchen idea.

24. Turn your dining room into a WFH space

With more of us working from home our busiest rooms are having to work much harder. Investing in a good sized dining table will ease the pressure as it can work hard for you and cover all the bases – from breakfast place, to workspace, homework at one end, to a zoom call at the other.

And then family meals to end the day. To add a decorative aspect to an otherwise plain scheme, consider an all over pattern on your floor, we love how subtle this looks and it works well with the white walls and prevents the space from looking too sparse.

25. Create a focal point with wallpaper

We often consider wallpaper for living rooms and bedrooms, but forget that dining rooms also look fabulous with patterned walls. If you have a light and airy dining space then a bold and beautiful design will work really well.

Once you've chosen a design, pull out a color or two from the pattern to inspire your accessory choices – we love the yellow pendant above the table and note how the mid-century modern sideboard and wooden chairs add warmth to the scheme and tie in with the wallpaper shades. Cohesiveness is key to making a room work so keep it simple and let the wallpaper be the focal point.

26. Keep the focus on your accessories with a tablescape

'Create that wow-factor by mixing and matching your dinner plates, side plates and bowls instead of sticking to traditional matching sets. This adds variety and interest to your table and allows you to showcase a breadth of different ceramic styles', says Lucy Ward, creative brand director at Trouva.

'Though the rules are few and far between, I recommend keeping the rest of the elements on your table, like cutlery and glassware, consistent to avoid overloading your table with different styles.'

27. Got a large family? Go for a bench and chair combo

Benches, on the whole, can squeeze on extra bottoms so they're a great option for small people – kids on one side, adults on chairs on the other side right?

This Poise bench from John Lewis sits three and you can match it with the Poise table which is narrow yet long – great for a dining room where space is compromised.

Plus, it also extends, which is a win-win when everyone is trying to 'work' at the same time, making it a perfect modern home office furniture. The table top has rounded edges too which is a bonus with young kids careering around.

Are dining rooms becoming obsolete?

'I do not believe that the dining room is a redundant space, but the kitchen is becoming a dual-functional space for cooking as well as eating meaning open plan living has to be second nature,' says Tom Howley, owner of Tom Howley Kitchens.

'There is a time and a place for formal dining, but the modern kitchen has to be able to accommodate an impromptu pasta with friends, or an unforeseen stir fry with the family. Not only this, but the kitchen is also a homework base, a relaxed office space and a home bar.'

What furniture goes into a dining room?

'From coming together for family dinners, to working from home or even helping children with school work, the dining room is becoming a space that has to be as multi-functional as the rest of our homes.', says Emma Deterding, founder and creative director, Kelling Designs.

'For homes that don't have an open-plan design, keeping that definition for the dining space is essential, with a more casual set up being the go-to choice. It's important to think about who's going to be using the room and what for - will it just be a space where you come together at meal times, will you be working from home or home-schooling the kids in the space, or will it be a space to do arts and crafts with the family? Once you've figured this out, you can make decisions on the key furniture pieces. '

'If the room is large enough, and you tend to have big family get-togethers then will a larger dining table in a statement material such as wood with enough chairs to seat everyone? If space is at a premium however, then it may be better to go for an extending design with a bench seat and additional folding chairs that can be stored away when not needed.'

Dining Area Decor Ideas

Source: https://www.realhomes.com/design/dining-room-ideas

Dining Area Decor Ideas