The dining room is not the place to skimp on style. Regardless of whether you have a small space that's outfitted with a cozy banquette or a formal setup with an elegant set of table and chairs, there's no shortage of dining room decorating ideas.
Think about simple upgrades that can boost your dining room's style factor — a fresh coat of paint (see what's trending for 2022), lively wall art or even a new rug to add some warmth. If you're stumped on how to dress your dining table, we have creative ideas for that as well. Decor accents like elegant candles, floral arrangements or even bowls of fruit that can be switched out from season to season are all no-fail options for your dining room.
Maybe you're guilty of letting paper clutter take over your dining table. If that's the case, there's an easy solution. "You need to figure out the logjams that are creating clutter and handle those with portable solutions," professional organizer Lorie Marrero says. Functional pieces, like a rolling cart, can make it easy to pay bills at the table, and when it's not in use, place it out of sight once it's dinnertime.
Click through for some of our favorite ways to elevate a dining room, whether you're partial to the farmhouse aesthetic or sleek and modern spaces. These inexpensive design ideas have all the inspiration you need to make your dining room picture-perfect and ready for family and friends to enjoy. All you have to do is settle on a delicious meal.
Stacy Zarin Goldberg
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Bright Palette
Don't shy away from experimenting with bright hues. The console's daring fuchsia shade and pastel blue dining chairs steal the show in this trendy space.
A black-and-white palette doesn't have to be boring. Warm wood tones and an oversized patterned rug from Ruggable complement dramatic black wall paneling.
Thomas J. Story
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Parisian Flair
Give your dining area a dose of Parisian style with a brass candelabra chandelier and bistro-style chairs.
Embrace the colors of spring and outfit your dining space with pops of blue, white and yellow.
Tessa Neustadt
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Round Dining Table
If large family gatherings aren't your style, a round dining table might be for you. It's perfect for small spaces and gives a dining space an intimate vibe.
Dining spaces, like the design in this 1980s ranch house, can benefit from contrast. Balance wood details with slipcovered chairs and industrial-style pendants to create visual appeal.
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Mint Green Walls
If you've had enough of neutral walls, embrace a more daring hue. Consider mint green walls — a great complement for a slew of colors like white, beige and teal.
Raquel Langworthy
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Charming Pastels
For an unexpected look, experiment with pastel hues in a dining room. Here, pale blue walls add a fresh touch to this traditional dining area.
The holidays are the time to put your style on full display. Take your dining space to the next level by draping garland across the top of your storage cabinet and layering plaid tablecloths for a festive look.
Wainscoting or a chair rail creates a perfect base to highlight a favorite pattern. Lining just the top half of the wall also lets a pricey pick go further.
A concise color palette will help your first floor decor flow seamlessly. "Neutrals like grays and natural materials like leather and stone are foolproof together," says designer Amber Lewis. Layer in various textures like a rattan pendant and woven rug to add excitement.
It's hard to beat classic white walls. "It’s bright and clean, and it acts as a blank canvas for the rest of the decor," Lewis says. (It also helps reflect natural light, which can help the room feel bigger.) Pick a shade with a hint of gray to make it feel warm and inviting.
Let your chairs set the scene by picking a design in an unexpected color, like this sunny yellow or an inviting blush pink. Your guests won't hesitate to take a seat.
A room full of boxy pieces can quickly feel cramped, so go with a round dining table for a dynamic element. Plus, it’s easier to walk around in tight spaces.
Swap in statement linens to change the look of your dining room on the fly. A brightly colored floral pattern like this one also hides inevitable stains and spills better than a solid color, too.
Partition off the eating area from the rest of the living space with a decorative folding screen and its own rug. By visually outlining various zones, you can make an open area feel more intimate.
Monique ValerisSenior Home Editor, Good HousekeepingMonique Valeris is the senior home editor for Good Housekeeping, where she oversees the brand's home decorating coverage across print and digital.
Caroline PicardCaroline was the Health Editor at GoodHousekeeping.com up until late 2019, where she covered nutrition, fitness, wellness, and other lifestyle news.
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