The dining room is a space that brings families and friends together to share meals and memories. As lifestyles evolve, the way we use our dining rooms does too. Rethinking how to design this special room can help create a stylish, functional, and inviting space for gathering around the table.
Embrace an Open Floor Plan
An open concept living area is a popular way to connect the kitchen, dining room, and living room spaces. Knocking down walls creates a feeling of airiness and flow between rooms. Arrange furniture to designate each zone while maintaining sightlines. An open dining room allows you to entertain more guests at once. Keep the decor cohesive using a unified color scheme, flooring, and lighting fixtures. An open layout also enables conversations to continue uninterrupted from the kitchen to the table.
Select a Statement Lighting Fixture
A stunning chandelier or pendant light can become the focal point over your dining table. Opt for a striking contemporary or modern fixture with bold shapes. Or lean into tradition with a crystal chandelier. Consider the size of the light fixture in proportion to your table. You want it to make an impact without overwhelming the space. Also factor in the style of your home and decor. A sleek chrome fixture can add polish to a modern dining room, while a rustic iron chandelier pairs nicely with farmhouse decor.
Incorporate Banquette Seating
Banquettes are bench seating typically built into an alcove or corner of the dining room. These cozy seats are a smart space-saving solution. Banquettes are ideal when you want to maximize seating around your table. They also provide a casual vibe perfect for family meals. When designing a banquette, pay attention to the height of the seat and the depth from front to back. Include comfy cushions covered in stain-resistant fabric. Anchor the banquette with a sturdy dining table at the center.
Choose Colors That Set the Mood
Paint colors can be used strategically in a dining room to create an ambiance conducive to meals and gatherings. Warm hues like reds, oranges and yellows stimulate conversation and appetites. Cooler tones of blue, green and purple have a more calming effect. For a neutral but inviting palette, stick with creams, taupes and grays. Accent walls in bold, saturated shades add drama. Just be sure the hue complements your decor and furnishings. Also utilize color in window treatments, area rugs and artwork.
Select Durable, Family-Friendly Surfaces
The dining room endures heavy foot traffic and messy mealtime spills. When selecting flooring and furniture aim for durability. Hardwoods like maple or oak hold up well and hide scratches. Stone flooring options such as limestone or slate offer an elegant look and are easy to clean. For furniture, choose wood dining tables and chairs with finishes that resist water rings and stains. Or opt for bamboo or metal pieces for extra strength. Washable slipcovered upholstery is ideal for chairs.
Add Architectural Interest
Unique architectural elements can transform an ordinary dining room into a statement space. These details incorporate texture, shape and dimension. Pillars, columns, and exposed beams add visual interest while also defining the dining zone. Arches and trims showcase classic flair. Interior shutters, wainscoting and paneled walls provide depth. Ceiling details like tray, coffered or beamed effects draw the eye up. Wall niches carved out for displaying artwork or plants personalize the design.
Incorporate Buffet Storage & Display
A buffet sideboard is useful for storing dining essentials and showing off decor. Opt for a sleek console table against the wall or a traditional hutch. Closed cabinet doors keep table linens, placemats and serving pieces organized yet out of sight. Display china, crystal and silver in glass door cabinets or on open shelves. For smaller dining rooms, choose a wall mounted bar unit. On counter space, decorate with floral arrangements, candles, baskets or trays. Allow 8-12 inches for pulling out drawers and opening doors.
Rethink the Table Setting
Creative tablescapes can make dining more festive and memorable. Skip the expected dinner plates and opt for a mix of chargers, bowls, and artful platters. Combine glassware in interesting shapes. Choose napkins in a variety of fabrics like linen, cotton and leather. Display fresh greenery as a runner or scattered leaves and petals as confetti. Use decorative hooks on the wall to hang mugs or utensils. Candles, vases, and bowls filled with fruits offer organic texture. Handmade ceramics bring artisanal style.
8 FAQs about Rethinking the Dining Room
What are some ways to update an old fashioned dining room?
Some ways to modernize a traditional dining room include painting the walls a contemporary color, replacing a chandelier with a sleek pendant light, adding a banquette or bench seating, bringing in midcentury or industrial style chairs, and incorporating modern art and accessories.
How do you make a small dining room feel bigger?
Use strategies like light colors on walls, large mirrors to reflect light, a glass tabletop, floating shelves instead of a bulky sideboard, a small pendant fixture, minimal furnishings, and multifunctional pieces like a storage ottoman or space-saving pedestal table.
What dining room colors are trending?
Trending dining room color palettes include earthy hues like terracotta and rust, deep greens like emerald and sage, navy blue, soft grays, warm metallics like bronze and brass, rich jewel tones like ruby and sapphire, and neutral shades of cream and beige.
Should a dining room and living room be the same color?
Connecting rooms like dining rooms and living rooms don’t necessarily need to be the exact same colors. Coordinate the palette with at least one shared accent color. The flow will feel cohesive if tones are in the same family, like contrasting hues of blue or green. Vary sheens between rooms.
What is a good dining room carpet material?
Wool or wool blend carpets are best for dining rooms because the fiber resists stains, crushing, and everyday wear-and-tear. Cut pile textures like Berber hide signs of traffic well. Avoid carpets made of high-maintenance fabrics like silk or viscose.
How do you decorate a wall behind a banquette?
Some fun ways to decorate the wall behind a banquette include painting a mural, hanging floating shelves filled with decor, displaying a bright patterned wallpaper, lining the wall with framed art and prints, and installing modern wood paneling or shiplap planks for visual interest.
What furniture works well in small dining rooms?
Furniture suited for small dining spaces includes round tables, pedestal tables, tulip tables, banquettes built-in to corners, Parsons chairs with slender silhouettes, upholstered armless chairs, a small buffet or console table, and acrylic transparent ghost chairs that don’t obstruct views.
How do you create an elegant dining room?
For elegant style, use a stately round table, ornate chandelier, patterned wallpaper, crown molding, soothing cool paint colors, upholstered dining chairs, luxe window treatments like silk drapes, decorative serving pieces, fresh floral arrangements, candlelight, and accessories with finishes like marble, brass, or glass.
Summary
Rethinking and redesigning the dining room can completely change the feel of this important gathering place. A dining space should suit your family’s lifestyle while also reflecting your personal style. Whether you knock down walls for an airy open concept, make a small space feel bigger, or embrace elegant details, there are many options to refresh your dining area. Focus on durability and low maintenance alongside aesthetics. This ensures your redesigned dining room will stay beautiful while withstanding daily use. With creativity and careful planning, your dining room can become a stylish, welcoming hub that brings people together for memorable meals and moments.
