Home Home Decor Ideas 78 Stylish Dining Room Decorating Ideas Get design inspiration and decorating ideas to makeover your dining room for everyday, entertaining, and holidays. By Zoe Gowen Zoe Gowen After a notable obsession with yellow houses, historic homes, and glossy magazines as a child that lead to a degree in American Studies from Sewanee: University of the South followed by a jaunt through the Washington, DC art world, Zoë found her way as the Senior Home and Garden Editor with Southern Living. There she crisscrossed the region to produce inspiring interiors, entertaining, and holiday stories while also overseeing the Idea House franchise. After seeing more porches and Christmas trees than any other reasonable person can claim, she ventured out to pave new roads freelancing for various magazines and helping people bring magazine tearsheets to life inside private homes via interior decorating. Southern Living's editorial guidelines and Nellah Bailey McGough Nellah Bailey McGough Nellah McGough runs the day-to-day operations in the Southern Living Birmingham office, responds to reader questions and comments, manages freelancer contracts, and invoices. She is also the co-host (with Steve Bender) of Ask Grumpy Podcast. Southern Living's editorial guidelines Updated on April 10, 2024 Trending Videos Close this video player Photo: Hector Manuel Sanchez; Styling: Barbara Schmidt The dining room is one room that isn't going out of style. It's a space to gather with family and friends, whether it's for an elaborate dinner party or quick weeknight dinner. It might take a creative eye to find the perfect space for one in your home, but it's necessary in our book. Dining rooms come in all shapes and sizes, and these ideas will help you think outside the box when it comes to finding the perfect spot. So if you're looking to create a dining room or just give your current place some attention, we've gathered some of our favorite dining rooms for a bounty of inspiration. Whether you prefer a formal setting or a more casual, family-friendly space, we have decorating ideas and design tips that are sure to fit your needs. From the bold and colorful to casual and rustic, you'll find just the inspiration you need in these stylish dining rooms. 01 of 78 Keep it Fresh, Yet Timeless Alison Gootee; Styling: Kate Malpeli This lowcountry dining room strikes the perfect balance between coastal, but not beachy and casual, yet also elevated. A high-quality Knoll Saarinen table pairs with a woven Serena & Lily light fixture and a simplified version of wishbone chairs for a cohesive feel. 02 of 78 Add A Little Sparkle James Ransom; Styling: Alya Hameedi. An antique crystal chandelier that designer Ashley Hanley scored in an online auction adds shimmering elegance to this traditional space, which she decorated with on-hand items and a table found at a local shop. 03 of 78 Go For a Darker Hue In lieu of a grand chandelier, the designer chose a warm, antique- style lantern from Visual Comfort & Co. Hector Manuel Sanchez In designer Catherine Branstetter's 1920s Tudor home, the dining room was the perfect place to experiment with a mercurial hue. She used Farrow & Ball’s Inchyra Blue (No. 289) and sees it as "its own little jewel box,” she says. The contrast, which benefits from the space’s abundant natural light, also plays up an arch detail original to the home. 04 of 78 Dressed To Impress ALISON GOOTEE; Styling by Dakota Willimon Layers, textures, and mixing old with new are the secret sauce for this spectacular tablescape. The space features a vintage table and cane chairs she scored for a song at a local thrift store. The table is complemented by an Amanda Lindroth tablecloth, Cailíní Coastal wicker place mats, Addison Ross lacquered blue chargers, and Ginori 1735 plates. 05 of 78 Add Antique Elements Cody Ulrich If you're aiming for a farmhouse vibe, adding antiques to your space is a great way to achieve the look. This dining room features antique chairs purchased at a citywide garage sale in Llano, Texas. 06 of 78 Include a Dose of Tradition PHoto: Laurey W. Glenn Interior designer Leta Foster and her daughter, Sallie Giordano, decorated this breakfast room of an early-1900s Richmond, Virginia, home. It is designed to fit a young family while honoring the original architecture and character of the space. 07 of 78 Hang Plush Drapery Laurey W. Glenn; Styling by Lindsey Ellis Beatty The scenic wallpaper and repetition of blues tie modern and old-school together in this cheery dining space. Luxurious curtains hung near the ceiling give grand scale to the room. 08 of 78 No Need For a Separate Space Brian Woodcock To fit the narrow lot and leave room for a screened porch, designer Todd Pritchett didn't build a separate dining room and instead widened the central corridor of the house to accommodate a table and chairs. “When you open the door, you get a fantastic view of the water and mountains through the dining area," says Pritchett. 09 of 78 Go Coastal Carmel Brantley Designer Kara Miller opted for a banquette to make the most of her small dining space. She paired shades of greens with pops of coral and a few grounding neutrals to give the room a cheery and tropical feel. 10 of 78 Keep the Table Small James Ransom While most dining rooms have large, long tables, designer Hannah Maple didn't feel the need to incorporate that in her dining room. “At our old house, we never set foot in the dining room,” says Maple. If you share a similar sentiment, don't be afraid to nix a large table and settled for a smaller, more quaint choice. 11 of 78 Use a Mural to Set the Mood "I felt like I was getting away with something when I bought this table because the price was so reasonable for the quality and craftsmanship," says Williams. Brie Williams Designer Molly Williams leaned into her home’s past to design the dining room. Inspired by Williamsburg, she wrapped a mural around the space. “I like that this one [from Anewall] is an abstract, modern interpretation of a classical oil-painted version,” she says. The murals fits perfectly with the vintage tone and decor throughout the room. 12 of 78 Use Large Pieces Alison Gootee Not wanting the dining room to feel dark and cramped, designer Caroline Brackett used large pieces to decorate her dining room. This includes an 8-seater round dining table, a large mirror atop the fireplace, and tall curtains to enlongate the room. 13 of 78 Keep it Simple Robbie Caponetto; Styling: Kendra Surface Designer Lauren Liess kept it simple in our 2020 Idea House dining room, framing the windows with a pop of color and installing a farm table with casual high-back chairs to complement it. 14 of 78 Double Up Marta Xochilt Perez; Styling: Page Mullins Designer Sarah Bartholomew used the same fabric for the wallcovering and window treatments to create a cohesive space. 15 of 78 Color Your Furniture Alison Gootee; Styling: Matthew Gleason Punch up the energy in your dining room with colored furniture. In this renovated 1960s rancher, Designer Meg Kelly brightened up the dark paneled room with a coat of white paint and added a bright pop of color with a blue painted vintage rattan table. 16 of 78 Emphasize Architectural Details Andreas von Einsiedel Highlight architectural features with paint. The pastel green of the walls draws your attention to the design elements of the woodwork. 17 of 78 Make an Entrance Laurey W.Glenn This delicately patterned Idarica Gazzoni wallpaper with a trompe l'oeil chair rail frames the preppy, coral-hued dining room. 18 of 78 Historic Simplicity Photo: Helen Norman This updated dining room offers a clean, modern look that is both private and quiet. 19 of 78 Mix and Mingle Brie Williams; Styling by Kate Malpeli Mid-century modern and Southwestern pieces join forces for an eclectic style. 20 of 78 Take Advantage of the View Photo: Alexandra Rowley If you want to highlight the view outside of your dining space, keep your furnishings and accessories minimal. This dining table is centered in front of a wall of floor-to-ceiling windows with simple curtains to soften and frame the space. 21 of 78 Add a Personal Touch ALISON GOOTEE From the chandelier above the dining table, interior designer Sara Hillery, suspends ornaments handed down from her mother to add a personal touch to the space. 22 of 78 Go For the Unexpected Erica Dunhill “I saw this piece as a prototype that Erika Powell was designing and immediately thought, ‘This is my dining table,’” says Korinne Belock of the unexpected table tennis showstopper. To let their furnishings, art, and travel souvenirs shine, they painted the stucco walls throughout with Benjamin Moore’s Simply White. 23 of 78 Set Up a Combination of Seating Arrangements Photo: Laurey W. Glenn Give an everyday dining space a casual vibe with a combination of seating arrangements, like the wing chairs, curvy settee, and burlap-topped benches that circle this dining table. 24 of 78 Find The Fun In Floral Touches Laurey W. Glenn This elegant dining room gets a touch of whimsy with floral elements from Pomegranate Inc.’s tableware collection. The classic details of the room including the chandelier, crown molding and brilliant blue details lend this space to any table setting your heart desires. 25 of 78 Make a Small Dining Room Look Larger Laurey W. Glenn Visually expand a small dining room by keeping the palette monochromatic and adding height with large art or plants. Furnish with a narrow table and armless dining chairs to maximize space. All of these elements help this light-filled dining room feel airy and open. 26 of 78 Layer Neutrals for a Relaxed Look Laurey W. Glenn "To give Country French my minimalist spin, I avoid the expected ruffles and plaids and keep it about the painted antiques and white linens," says homeowner and designer Regina Lynch. She, along with her daughter, designer Destiny Lynch, came together to create this "less-is more" style. 27 of 78 Try a Round Table Hector Manuel Sanchez; Styling: Barbara Schmidt Encourage conversation with a round table. To keep things intimate, your table shouldn't exceed 40-inches in diameter. With multiple doorways, using a round table in this dining room helps open up space as well. 28 of 78 Opt for Casual Seating Paul Costello; Styling: Howard Christian This space serves as a library and dining area. The room is casually arranged with a mismatched table and chairs and filled with brightly painted bookshelves, which bring light to the space. 29 of 78 Embrace Practicality Annie Schlechter; Styling: Raina Kattelson An extendable farm table is paired with lightweight wooden chairs to accommodate a crowd. 30 of 78 Give a Splash of Bold Color Photo: Eric Piasecki, Styling by Heather Chadduck Hillegas The homeowners wanted to have a fresh-feeling dining room, so designer Ashley Whittaker helped them pick a show-stopping lettuce green shade finished in a shiny lacquer for the walls. She complemented the walls with bright coral upholstered dining chairs. Painted lantern sconces on the chandelier play into the welcoming atmosphere established by the color scheme, while the antiques help ground the space. 31 of 78 Play With Multiple Patterns Photo: Hector Manuel Sanchez; Styling: Elly Poston Cooper Colorful wallpaper panels combine with the cheetah print chairs to create a unique feel in this memorable dining room. 32 of 78 Mix Color and Style Photography Van Chaplin, Charles Walton IV / Styling Buffy Hargett You can incorporate a mix of furniture styles if you keep color a constant. These red lacquer bamboo-style side chairs add a bold punch of color that coordinates with the cabinet interiors and drapery and upholstery fabrics. 33 of 78 Plan Ahead for Flexibility Photos by Jean Allsopp Add shelves for greater flexibility. A wall of library shelves in this dining room enhances the cozy cabin feel and offers homeowners the option of converting the space into an office or snug reading nook. 34 of 78 Be Creative Photo: Jonny Valiant Conical baskets, believed to have once been used by fishermen, are now airy pendant shades over this South Carolina pine dining table. 35 of 78 Soften the Space with Linens Photo by: Laurey W. Glenn Simple details like the fabric of your linens help set the tone of your dining space. This round table and antique chairs are covered in simple linen and checked fabrics to create a friendly space. A dainty scalloped edge on the chairs and table topper adds a decorative, layered touch. 36 of 78 Create Privacy with Pocket Doors Photo: Tria Giovan, Styling: Olga Naiman Get the free traffic flow of an open plan and the intimacy of a closed dining room by using sliding pocket doors. On the left side of this room, reclaimed heart-pine pocket doors can be closed to hide the kitchen. 37 of 78 Use a Calming Palette Photo: Laurey W. Glenn Walls covered in a subtle blue grass cloth create a serene space, while the blush window treatments and slipcovered chairs bring warmth. 38 of 78 Splurge and Save Jonny Valiant; Styling: Elizabeth Demos Prioritize your spending. When the homeowners renovated this 1,500-square-foot cottage, they used secondhand and bargain-store pieces to complete their desired look on a budget. 39 of 78 Be Playful Peter Murdock; Styling: Liz Strong This signature breezy but sophisticated style in the outdoor dining room is elevated with wicker seats, a vintage peacock chair, and a montage of blue-and-white pillows. 40 of 78 Lighten Up with White Photo: Laurey W. Glenn White paint and natural lighting can make a dining room feel bright and inviting, but be sure to use your furniture and accessories to add warmth. This homeowner used books in the built-ins and a mix of vintage chairs upholstered in canvas to bring character to the room. 41 of 78 Mix Upholstery Add textural depth by mixing upholstery fabrics. These dining chairs sport patterned upholstery cushions while the backs are covered in a coordinating solid. 42 of 78 Take Your Cue from the Natural Surroundings Laurey W. Glenn Reflecting its mountainous location, this house is decked out in a variety of natural materials—from rough-hewn beams to rustic furniture made from branches. 43 of 78 Multitask Photo: Laurey W. Glenn / Styling: Anne Turner Carroll Dining rooms can easily be made into multi-use spaces. This cozy room with a large dining table work surface makes this room a perfect place to double as the homeowner's design office. Just be sure to have a space to stow away your work when needed. 44 of 78 Add Height Emphasize the height of your dining room with vertical stripes. Floor-to-ceiling windows also help this space feel lofty and light, even with dark furnishings. 45 of 78 Keep It Stylish & Practical Laurey W. Glenn; Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller In this Nashville home, the dining room serves as a pass-through between the living room and the kitchen, so designer Ashley Gilbreath decorated the space to complement both. She used a playful, soft wallpaper with traditional furnishings that will feel stylish forever. 46 of 78 Build a Banquette Built-in banquette seating is a great option if you're short on space. It not only adds seating, but the space beneath the seat can also be used for storage. Using the same upholstery fabric helps tie together the bench and chairs. 47 of 78 Make it Durable Photo: Laurey W. Glenn; Styling: Matthew Gleason Make sure all of your dining room materials and surfaces are spill-proof or easy to clean. These chairs, designed in a modified Parsons style, are upholstered in durable outdoor fabric to withstand upset cups and plates. 48 of 78 Go Neutral Even if you're not a fan of bright colors, you can still create a striking dining room. This mostly neutral dining room is anything but boring. A variety of fabrics and rich browns punctuated by small colorful accents gives a warm and inviting look to the room. The natural light keeps the dark brown walls from visually closing in the space. 49 of 78 Vary Your Finishes Photo: Laurey W. Glenn, Styling: Matthew Gleason Use mixed finishes for a casual look. These painted chairs are paired with a round mahogany dining table. The mix of finishes on the room's various furnishings provides a collected yet casual appeal. 50 of 78 Design for Durability Photo by: Laurey W. Glenn, Styling by: Elizabeth Demos When selecting your finishes, think about the wear and tear that your dining room may experience beyond spills. The white oak plank flooring with a limed finish in this coastal cottage dining room is perfect for disguising sand tracked in from the beach. A clear wax on top keeps it sealed and hardy. 51 of 78 Customize Colors Photography: Laura Moss, Styling: Natasha Louise King Tell a cohesive color story in connected spaces. The wall color in this dining room was custom mixed to match the blue undertones of curtains in the adjoining living room. 52 of 78 Accent with Patterns Photo: Melanie Acevedo, Styling: Olga Naiman Add an unexpected touch to an elegant space by including playful patterns. The jazzy zebra upholstery on these dining chairs keeps the otherwise subdued room from feeling stuffy. 53 of 78 Include Family Pieces Photo: Erica George Dines Formal dining rooms are the perfect place to display family heirlooms and make fantastic conversation pieces when you entertain. A portrait of the homeowner's late mother, who taught her how to entertain, properly presides over this elegant dining room. 54 of 78 Utilize Corner Spaces Photo: Laurey W. Glenn, Robbie Caponetto A window-filled alcove in this beach house functions like a dining room with a casual table, two slipcovered end chairs, and a pillow-topped banquette. The built-in bench and wall of windows make this small space seem much larger while vintage light fixtures hung with nautical rope instead of standard chains illuminate and ground the space. 55 of 78 Be Creative with Corners Small spaces are often the perfect place to install built-in storage. An awkward corner becomes a built-in buffet or bar in this dining room. 56 of 78 Add Built-In Bookshelves Photo by Erica George Dines Rows of books in built-in shelves make a beautiful patterned backdrop for the dining table in this space. The repetitive shape of the arches can tie together the room. 57 of 78 Create a Relaxed Look Photo by: Tria Giovan, Styling by: Matthew Gleason Just because the dining room is traditionally a formal space doesn't mean you can't try a more casual feel. Mixing high-back upholstered seating with low, slipcovered chairs avoids the predictable formula of a table with matching chairs in this room. 58 of 78 Play Up a Fun Color Photo: Laurey W. Glenn Just as gold accessories can complete an outfit, the warm tones of brushed gold flatware and embellished glasses add a layer of warmth to a casual table and cheery room. 59 of 78 Add Character with Salvage Materials Photo by: Helen Norman, Styling by: Rebecca Omweg Salvaged wood offers a distinctive warmth and texture that can't be replicated with new wood. The wood floors in this dining room were salvaged locally. 60 of 78 Rustic Iron and Wood Dining Photo: Laurey W. Glenn Surrounded by a set of Queen Anne chairs scooped up at a secondhand shop in Charleston, this iron-and-wood dining room table crafted by Charles Calhoun creates a relaxed, rustic room. 61 of 78 Repeat Shapes Create some rhythm in your space by repeating the shape of your table in the rug. This rectangular rug is large enough that all four legs of pulled-back chairs remain on the rug. 62 of 78 Mix New Finds with Family Heirlooms Photo: Tria Giovan Supplement your family pieces with furniture found at antique and secondhand stores. For a modern contrast, this homeowner used flea-market-found barrel chairs in white to contrast the dark oak of his great-grandfather's dining table and sideboard. 63 of 78 Hang a Lantern Choose a lantern fixture for a more casual look. A standard chandelier would overwhelm this laid-back space, but a wrought-iron lantern fixture is just right. 64 of 78 Repurpose an Unused Room Turn an infrequently used space into a dining room. This conservatory is part dining room, part greenhouse. The open and airy space boasts spectacular views and plenty of natural light. 65 of 78 Select a Signature Style Item Have at least one unique conversation piece in your dining room. A whimsical light fixture becomes a focal point over this dining table and speaks to the design sense of the homeowner. 66 of 78 Layer Window Treatments Mix your window treatments for flexibility. Matchstick blinds with curtain panels control the level of light and privacy in this dining room. 67 of 78 Install a Plate Rail A built-in shelf breaks up this very vertical space and offers a place to display plates and other accents. 68 of 78 Select for Scale Select a light fixture that fits the scale of your space. A large rustic chandelier fits both the personality and size of this lofty dining space. 69 of 78 Repeat Shapes An oval table is the perfect companion for this curved banquette. 70 of 78 Repeat a Motif The whimsical botanical wallpaper in this room is mirrored in the organic shapes of the chandelier, and the subtle zig-zag of the chair upholstery is repeated in the rug. 71 of 78 Wrap in Wood Photo by: Helen Norman, Styling by: Rebecca Omweg Think beyond drywall for your walls and ceiling. This dining room is completely finished with wood. A warm wood ceiling and floor treatment paired with painted wood walls adds vintage character to the space. 72 of 78 Limit Materials for Minimalism Tria Giovan The white stained table and modern white chairs echo this home's minimalist vibe. 73 of 78 Add Pattern with your China Photo: Laurey W. Glenn Let your china shine as the room's color and pattern. It's the secret to classic style that's not overdone. 74 of 78 Take Inspiration from Antiques Photo: Laurey W. Glenn Pairing antiques with natural curiosities, like the modern gold-lined black shades on the chandelier, gives this room a more personal touch. 75 of 78 Add a Modern Touch Jonny Valiant; Styling: Elizabeth Demos For a modern touch, a deconstructed rug and Windsor chairs are paired with a vintage dining room table. 76 of 78 Create a Sophisticated Family-Friendly Space Photo: Laurey W. Glenn Anchored by a clean-lined Parsons table (left unpolished to stand up to fingerprints), the dining room is both sophisticated and family friendly. Galvanized-metal French Tolix chairs designed in the 1930s and a long bench (which has been known to hold as many as six kids) provide some much needed flexibility and style. 77 of 78 Design for All Occasions Marta Xochilt Perez; Styling: Page Mullins Find a happy medium between dressy and laid-back by pairing a farm table with wicker chairs. 78 of 78 Suit Your Taste LAUREY W. GLENN Classic meets beachy design in this dining room, where a traditional dining table, picked up years ago at a Destin, Florida, antiques shop is paired with painted rattan Chippendale chairs. To make the white furnishings really pop, the walls are covered in zippy Netherfield wallpaper from Osborne & Little. Everything in this room is exactly to the homeowner's tastes, even if it doesn't fit into one mold. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit