Looking for dining room ideas to refresh your space? Whether you're furnishing a formal dining room, creating a dining area in an open-plan home or searching for small dining room inspiration, the right furniture and décor can completely transform how your space looks and functions.
From modern dining tables and velvet dining chairs to space-saving solutions and stylish dining room accessories, this guide is packed with dining room inspiration to help you create a welcoming place to eat, entertain and spend time with family and friends.
Dining Room Decor: What To Think About
There’s a few things to think about when you’re updating your dining room:
- How much space do you have to work with? Consider whether you want to fill the room with a dining table and chair set or keep the flexibility to move things around.
- When do you use your dining room? Is it for every meal or special occasions? Do you need it to work as a home office on occasion?
- What interior style do you want to create? Think about whether you want your dining room furniture to be the focal point, or if you want it to be more minimal.
- If you have an open plan home, do you want your dining room style to match the rest of your decor, or do you want a distinct dining room division?
Mark P's Novara Table and Milan Chairs
Modern glass dining room
A glass dining table looks especially good when it features attention-grabbing table legs (chrome often works nicely). Positioned well and paired with matching chairs, such a table can serve as the focal point of your dining room, naturally drawing the eye.
If you’re looking for dining room ideas for a modern home, you should consider creating a clean and contemporary feel in your dining room with a glass table. It’s also a good choice if you don’t want your dining table to be too imposing, as the glass top will make the room feel more open and spacious.
Gold dining furniture
If you want to add a touch of luxury to your dining room then consider choosing gold dining furniture. Opt for a dining table and chairs with gold legs to make a statement in your dining space. You can add other gold finishing touches like candle holders, lamps or frames to give your dining room a polished level of aesthetic consistency.
Used well, gold features will always look classy, and an array of gold pieces will help make your dining room feel comfortably warm during evenings or special occasions such as Christmas. If you’re a fan of dark and dramatic interiors, you can make a gold dining room look even more stunning with chinoiserie-style wallpaper, clashing patterns and opulent accessories.
Velvet dining chairs
Velvet is a great starting point for modern dining room decor. It immediately adds some glamour to a space (making it perfect for dinner parties) and provides a jumping-off point for experimenting with different fabrics and colours.
For comfort and sophistication, choose a set of velvet dining chairs: the modern mid-century design will provide a blend of elegance and contemporary style. For a subtle look, go for neutral shades (grey always works well). Alternatively, if you want to make your set of chairs a feature, go for bold colouring that complements your other dining room decor.
Bar style dining table
If you’re looking to fit a dining room into a small space, consider choosing a high bar table. This type of dining table is perfect for two people and can fit neatly into a divided dining room area (or even slot into a conventional kitchen). Note that the clean, modern design of this table type fits best with minimalist decor and neutral colour palettes.
Add a couple of bar stools to create an ideal little spot for enjoying breakfast and dinner without taking up too much space. contemporary dining room ideas are fantastic for efficiency because they encourage you to use space for eating, relaxing, and socialising.
Gemma Robert's Pivero Table and Milan Chairs alongside a feature wall
Small Dining Room Ideas
Limited on space? A smaller dining room doesn't mean compromising on style. Choosing the right furniture can help make your dining area feel more open and functional while still creating a welcoming setting for everyday meals and entertaining.
A round dining table is often a great choice for compact rooms as it improves flow around the space and makes seating more flexible. Light-coloured furniture, mirrors and glass dining tables can also help create the illusion of extra space. For particularly compact homes, consider an extending dining table, dining bench or bar table that can be tucked away when not in use.
Rethink Your Dining Room Layout
When redesigning your dining room, it’s a good idea to consider tweaking the layout in addition to purchasing new dining furniture. In a traditional dining room, the dining table is likely to be in the centre as the main focal point, but — though formal dining layouts will always have their benefits — you should configure the space in a way that works for you. For example, moving the table into the corner will create a cosy nook and make the room feel less cluttered.
Space-saving dining furniture
Go for space-saving dining furniture pieces if you’ve got a smaller dining room or simply need to free up space when you can. If you entertain regularly but don’t want a bulky dining room table taking up extra room, space-saving alternatives are highly convenient.
An extendable dining table will be hugely helpful: you can enjoy a modestly-sized table most of the time, then be able to seat everyone comfortably when you have dinner parties. If you anticipate needing extra seats to accommodate guests, you can pick up some folding chairs and simply pack them away neatly when they’re not being used.
Add a feature wall
To add a bit of furniture-complementing personality to your dining room, you can create a feature wall. This will involve painting one wall in a bold colour that matches your dining chairs or the rest of the decor. The result will be a space that’s more visually arresting, with the feature wall contrasting nicely against the other dining room walls.
If you want to stick with white or grey walls for the entire room, you can instead put together a gallery wall with some of your favourite prints and images. Alternatively, if you’re not blessed with a light-drenched dining room, adding a large statement mirror will brighten your dining area and create a clear focal point.
Trending Dining Area Ideas
Don’t think of your dining room as just a place to home your table and chairs. With the right dining room inspo, you can totally change the look and feel of the space to add a touch of style and ultimately maximise its potential.
Here are some top dining area ideas to think about:
Soften the room with curves
Traditional dining furniture (long rectangular tables, for instance) can make a space feel cold and rigid. Taking a more modern approach by using round dining tables can create a softer atmosphere that’s more comfortable and homely. You can also introduce curves into the dining room by adding a circular mirror — and if you have an archway, you can get creative by running with the painted archway trend.
Try tablescaping
If you prefer a more minimalist dining room with simple furniture but you still want to add a touch of personality and colour to the room, tablescaping is a great option. This involves creatively arranging your dining room table with decorative bowls, plates, serviettes, candles and other accessories. Even in the dark of winter, you can instantly brighten up a plain table.
Mix and match patterns
You might think using two different patterns for your wallpaper and tablecloth would cause an unpleasant clash, but it can actually work very well to create an eclectic dining space. When you’re a little unclear on your direction, a great option is to use classic furniture pieces but go bold with everything else (including wallpaper, paint, and even tableware). You can then make small changes to patterns through the year to keep the dining space feeling fresh.
Swap traditional dining chairs
A simple yet effective dining room design idea is to swap traditional chairs for contemporary alternatives. Why not add a bench around your dining table? Not only do they help you save space in smaller dining rooms, but they also make it easier to accommodate family meals. There are plenty of options to suit all dining rooms, including locker room style benches, velvet studded benches, or even repurposed wooden benches for those who enjoy projects.
Popular Dining Room Colour Ideas
Choosing the right colour scheme can help set the mood of your dining room. Soft neutrals such as beige, greige and warm white create a timeless backdrop, while darker shades like navy, charcoal and forest green add depth and sophistication.
If you'd like to make a statement, consider using a bold accent wall or incorporating colour through dining chairs, artwork and accessories. Pair your chosen colour palette with complementary dining furniture to create a cohesive look throughout the room.
Making Your Dining Room The Heart Of Your Home
Remember that your dining room is one of the most important rooms in your home. Facilitating daily dining and hosting events for family and friends, it needs to be equal parts functional and fabulous. Use this dining room inspiration to help you pick out the right dining furniture and create a space that’s perfect for your requirements.
Dining Room Decor FAQs
How can I make my dining room look more stylish?
Adding a statement dining table, coordinating lighting and carefully chosen accessories can instantly elevate a dining room.
What type of dining table is best for a small dining room?
Round dining tables and extending dining tables are excellent options as they maximise space while maintaining functionality.
Are velvet dining chairs still in style?
Yes. Velvet dining chairs remain popular thanks to their combination of comfort, texture and luxury appeal.
How do I make a dining room feel bigger?
Use mirrors, lighter colours, glass furniture and space-saving dining solutions to create a brighter, more open feel.
