From statement light fixtures to bright, beautiful paint colors and more, read ahead for more dining room design ideas that make a major impact. Usage of color can really make or break dining room designs, and the cohesion of a matching furniture set allows for colorful decor choices. Whether your style is formal or family friendly, use these design tips and decorating ideas to update your dining room. Is your dining room in need of a little attention?
Beautiful Dining Rooms Designed with Intimate Entertaining in Mind
Unify the dining area with the surrounding spaces by employing similar design characteristics. To show off her client’s beloved collection of art-work, interior designer Tyler Karu forged a salon-style display to give this entertaining space a more intimate feel. When considering a redesign, ask yourself “What about this space stands out the most?” and then expand your ideas from there.
“If you have a fabulous armoire or buffet table, use it as a statement piece and build the room around it,” interior designer Gabrielle Santiago notes. Designer Jae Joo gave this cellar in a Boston rowhouse a sleek upgrade with polished dark gray and black dining chairs and floral vases atop a nondescript table. Interior designer Welsey Moon clustered some lucite tulip chairs with upholstered seats around a casual Corian-topped table base.
In this art deco-inspired interior, designer Katie Hodges added a patterned area rug and mid-century woven dining chairs to warm up the earth-toned décor and make the room feel less formal. The striking Kehinde Wiley painting defines the color scheme in this dining room designed by Miles Redd, from the reupholstered lime green chairs to the wallpaper and moldings.
Small Dining Room Design
“A dining room is a really great place to play with design and test out more adventurous ideas,” interior designer Michelle Zacks says. Designing a dining room can be tricky, but with our 5 dining room design ideas anyone can design their dream dining room.
If your kitchen connects to an open great room, carve out a small dining room in the area in-between with a few design tricks. This small dining room lives larger than its footprint thanks to bright colors, natural light, and a few smart design tricks.
“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. A serene mural of Low Country marshland and reclaimed white oak beams accentuate lofty ceilings, a defining element of this Brays Island, South Carolina, cottage designed by Beth Webb.
Paint the walls a color that invites joy, like periwinkle blue, and then design the dining space around that color, like designer Pamela Harvey did in this space. Clutter is kept to a minimum in this dining room designed by Elizabeth Roberts Architects, and the soothing color scheme ensures a grounded atmosphere.
Blending Design
At the 2020 Kips Bay Designer Show House Dallas, the light-drenched dining room features a refined blend of traditional Dallas style and global influences. Interior designer Kate Lester created clean lines with geometric light fixtures and patterns in neutral and solid black finishes for this California home.
The playful pendant and colorful wallpaper set the tone for this fun-filled family dining room designed by Rayman Boozer. Whether you have a designated room, a corner nook in the kitchen, or simply a blank stretch of wall, you can create a comfortable spot to share everyday meals and entertain guests. “Wall décor is a great way to infuse the space with color or help reinforce an existing color palette,” adds Tiffany Leigh of Tiffany Leigh Design.
