Think separate dining rooms are going out of style? Think again. Those seemingly trending open-concept floor plans—combining dining spaces with the living room or kitchen—are now less popular among homeowners and apartment renters. Instead, more people working remotely and spending more time at home have created a rising demand for separate rooms. Yet that’s not the only reason formal dining rooms are returning. Others prefer them for hosting guests, with the Austin American-Statesman finding that the dining room is the number one spot in the home for entertainment.
If you are wondering how to furnish yours, here are 10 of the most compelling ideas you can try.
10 – Work with your home
You can start by choosing pieces that mesh well with the architectural design of your home. Wooden dining chairs, for example, would significantly enhance the rustic aesthetic of farmhouse architecture. If you live in a modern city apartment, you can opt for more industrial dining tables with metallic accents. You can also work with how the room is built. Does it come with a window-lined nook? Consider placing your dining table there rather than in the center of the space so you have a cozy spot to eat meals and entertain guests.
09 – Mix design styles
Avoid giving your dining room a monotonous look by choosing complementary pieces in different styles. For instance, you can place intricate light fixtures like chandeliers above your run-of-the-mill table and chairs. You can also mix the old and new. If you’ve got a hand-me-down cabinet that looks more antique, it’ll look great paired with a more minimalist dining room set comprised of a glass-top table and metal chairs.
08 – Take advantage of dining room sets
Furniture sets are a cost-efficient way to achieve the look and functionality you want with a single purchase, making them perfect for effortlessly furnishing your space without sacrificing style. That’s why you should consider dining room sets with bench and chair options, which come with different features to suit your specific needs. If you love hosting guests, Living Spaces’ Felix has an extendable table to accommodate even larger groups. Looking for something fancier? The Lola and Vanya come with sleek marble tops that can suit the quiet luxury appeal of neutral-colored interiors. Browse your options and take advantage of these sets if they can bring your dining room’s appeal to the next level.
07 – Choose your centerpiece
A formal dining room gives you more opportunities to display your interior design chops and play with the look of your space. If you’re looking to do just that, centerpieces can help. The right one will draw the eye to a single focal point, set the mood for your dining experience, and ultimately enhance the room’s overall aesthetic to showcase your personal preferences.
First, consider the size of your dining table. It might be too large if your centerpiece obstructs people from eating and passing dishes around. You’ll also want to look at texture. Centerpieces like burlap and pine cones will go well with rustic table settings while opting for smooth glassware can be great if you have a sleek and modern dining room. Finally, think about who you’ll be eating with. Well-presented yet interactive centerpieces like mason jars with crayons are great for kids, especially when paired with placemats made of craft paper.
06 – Anchor your dining table
By anchoring the center of the room with a rug, you’ll create a sense of cohesion and relaxation that’ll enhance its overall aesthetic appeal. Rugs also provide a texture and warmth that add visual points of interest to your dining space. You can start by picking the size you want to go with. Furnishing your dining room with a too-small rug can pose tripping hazards, while one too-large can clash with other pieces in the area.
As a general rule of thumb, it’s best to use one big enough to cover your chairs and benches when pulled out from under the table. You’ll also want a dark-colored or patterned rug with low piles or a flat weave, as lighter ones with longer fibers will show stains more easily, trap food particles, and be more challenging to clean. Finally, rugs that mimic the shape of your table will better bring design harmony to your dining space.
05 – Reconsider your light fixtures
According to various home stagers, choosing light fixtures is one of the most common dining room design mistakes homeowners make. Many often don’t consider how light placement can impact how well their guests can see what they’re eating. For example, fixtures that present light harshly can momentarily blind diners when they look up from their plates to pass the salt. That’s why it’s vital to furnish your space with the kind that diffuses light by obscuring part of the bulb—or redirects it so it bounces off the walls. You’ll also want to consider natural light since you use the dining room during the day. Place your table directly in the path of any available windows so sunlight infuses the space and makes it more welcoming.
04 – Incorporate more storage
Adding more storage to your dining room will give you more places to place your tableware, linen, and other personal belongings. That means you can more easily keep the space free of clutter and thus more presentable for entertaining guests. One of the best ways to sneak in that extra storage is by using dedicated dining room furniture like sideboards. Aside from coming with built-in cabinets, models like the Vironika and Whisnant from Wayfair showcase stylish designs featuring complex woodwork and patterns. Opting for such pieces can add more visual appeal to your dining room.
03 – Decorate your walls
Wall pieces are among the most popular home décor items for a good reason: they can make any space more welcoming by breathing character and personality into a room. You can decorate your dining area with photographs and mirrors, personal ornaments, and paintings. Consider creating a gallery wall or even installing some shelves to place knickknacks and add even more storage—the possibilities are endless!
02 – Add some greenery
Placing a few plants can bring life into your dining room—literally! Infusing greenery can make the space more relaxing and even energize you, your family, and your guests as you enjoy your meals. Doing so can be as simple as using bouquets as your dining table centerpiece or putting a taller shrub into the corner by the window. If you have the space for it, add a head-turning “living wall” of hanging plants or moss for more texture and visual interest.
01 – Create a versatile space
Formal dining rooms are no longer just for dining. According to House Digest, they’re also multipurpose spaces. Here, you can work from home, help your kids with their homework, read a book, try your hand at art, or even play board games on family night. You can furnish your dining room to support this versatility. Add a writing desk. Install some bookshelves. Make your sideboard into a coffee station—or put a turntable on it so you can enjoy music. With the right pieces, you can turn your dining space into a room everyone will want to spend time in, even between meals!