Home Home Decor Ideas 80 Stylish Dining Room Ideas By Southern Living Editors Updated on July 8, 2022 Share Tweet Pin Email Trending Videos Photo: Laurey W. Glenn The dining room is one room that isn't going out of style. It's a space to gather with family and friends, whether it's for an elaborate dinner party or quick weeknight dinner. It might take a creative eye to find the perfect space for one in your home, but it's necessary in our book. Dining rooms come in all shapes and sizes, and these ideas will help you think outside the box when it comes to finding the perfect spot. So if you're looking to create a dining room or just give your current place some attention, we've gathered some of our favorite dining rooms for a bounty of inspiration. Whether you prefer a formal setting or a more casual, family-friendly space, we have decorating ideas and design tips that are sure to fit your needs. From the bold and colorful to casual and rustic, you'll find just the inspiration you need in these stylish dining rooms. 01 of 80 Go Coastal Carmel Brantley Designer Kara Miller opted for a banquette to make the most of her small dining space. She paired shades of greens with pops of coral and a few grounding neutrals to give the room a cheery and tropical feel. 02 of 80 Make an Entrance Laurey W.Glenn This delicately patterned Idarica Gazzoni wallpaper with a trompe l'oeil chair rail frames the preppy, coral-hued dining room. 03 of 80 Make a Small Dining Room Look Larger Laurey W. Glenn Visually expand a small dining room by keeping the palette monochromatic and adding height with large art or plants. Furnish with a narrow table and armless dining chairs to maximize space. All of these elements help this light-filled dining room feel airy and open. 04 of 80 Layer Neutrals for a Relaxed Look Laurey W. Glenn "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. She, along with her daughter, designer Destiny Lynch, came together to create this "less-is more" style. 05 of 80 Try a Round Table Hector Manuel Sanchez; Styling: Barbara Schmidt Encourage conversation with a round table. To keep things intimate, your table shouldn't exceed 40-inches in diameter. With multiple doorways, using a round table in this dining room helps open up space as well. 06 of 80 Keep a Low-Profile Photo: Laurey W. Glenn Even small spaces need a designated dining area. Designer Matthew Bees used the nook below the stairs of this Charleston loft to create the perfect space. The addition of a small chandelier ties the nook together. 07 of 80 Opt for Casual Seating Paul Costello; Styling: Howard Christian This space serves as a library and dining area. The room is casually arranged with a mismatched table and chairs and filled with brightly painted bookshelves, which bring light to the space. 08 of 80 Give a Splash of Bold Color Photo: Eric Piasecki, Styling by Heather Chadduck Hillegas The homeowners wanted to have a fresh-feeling dining room, so designer Ashley Whittaker helped them pick a show-stopping lettuce green shade finished in a shiny lacquer for the walls. She complemented the walls with bright coral upholstered dining chairs. Painted lantern sconces on the chandelier play into the welcoming atmosphere established by the color scheme, while the antiques help ground the space. 09 of 80 Mix Color and Style Photography Van Chaplin, Charles Walton IV / Styling Buffy Hargett You can incorporate a mix of furniture styles if you keep color a constant. These red lacquer bamboo-style side chairs add a bold punch of color that coordinates with the cabinet interiors and drapery and upholstery fabrics. 10 of 80 Soften the Space with Linens Photo by: Laurey W. Glenn Simple details like the fabric of your linens help set the tone of your dining space. This round table and antique chairs are covered in simple linen and checked fabrics to create a friendly space. A dainty scalloped edge on the chairs and table topper adds a decorative, layered touch. See this Cape Cod Cottage Makeover 11 of 80 Keep it Simple Robbie Caponetto; Styling: Kendra Surface Designer Lauren Liess kept it simple in our 2020 Idea House dining room, framing the windows with a pop of color and installing a farm table with casual high-back chairs to complement it. 12 of 80 Save Space with Built-Ins Photos by Jean Allsopp For a small space, add a built-in china cabinet for both decorative and practical storage. You'll not only save floorspace, but you'll also create an element that adds depth and character to a wall. 13 of 80 Include a Dose of Tradition PHoto: Laurey W. Glenn Interior designer Leta Foster and her daughter, Sallie Giordano, decorated this breakfast room of an early-1900s Richmond, Virginia, home. It is designed to fit a young family while honoring the original architecture and character of the space. 14 of 80 Create Privacy with Pocket Doors Photo: Tria Giovan, Styling: Olga Naiman Get the free traffic flow of an open plan and the intimacy of a closed dining room by using sliding pocket doors. On the left side of this room, reclaimed heart-pine pocket doors can be closed to hide the kitchen. Tour this Georgia Row House 15 of 80 Use a Calming Palette Photo: Laurey W. Glenn Walls covered in a subtle blue grass cloth create a serene space, while the blush window treatments and slipcovered chairs bring warmth. See more of this classic Birmingham home. 16 of 80 Splurge and Save Jonny Valiant; Styling: Elizabeth Demos Prioritize your spending. When the homeowners renovated this 1,500-square-foot cottage, they used secondhand and bargain-store pieces to complete their desired look on a budget. 17 of 80 Be Playful David Tsay; Styling: Page Mullins Designer Alexis Simpson didn't shy away from making a statement in her dining room, which opens to the patio through the French doors. She used a leafy Cole & Son wallpaper and a botanical-inspired chandelier by Julie Neill to bring the outside in, creating a playful yet elegant space. 18 of 80 Lighten Up with White Photo: Laurey W. Glenn White paint and natural lighting can make a dining room feel bright and inviting, but be sure to use your furniture and accessories to add warmth. This homeowner used books in the built-ins and a mix of vintage chairs upholstered in canvas to bring character to the room. 19 of 80 Mix Upholstery Add textural depth by mixing upholstery fabrics. These dining chairs sport patterned upholstery cushions while the backs are covered in a coordinating solid. 20 of 80 Take Your Cue from the Natural Surroundings Laurey W. Glenn Reflecting its mountainous location, this house is decked out in a variety of natural materials—from rough-hewn beams to rustic furniture made from branches. 21 of 80 Multitask Photo: Laurey W. Glenn / Styling: Anne Turner Carroll Dining rooms can easily be made into multi-use spaces. This cozy room with a large dining table work surface makes this room a perfect place to double as the homeowner's design office. Just be sure to have a space to stow away your work when needed. See this Farmhouse Redo 22 of 80 Add Height Emphasize the height of your dining room with vertical stripes. Floor-to-ceiling windows also help this space feel lofty and light, even with dark furnishings. 23 of 80 Keep It Stylish & Practical Laurey W. Glenn; Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller In this Nashville home, the dining room serves as a pass-through between the living room and the kitchen, so designer Ashley Gilbreath decorated the space to complement both. She used a playful, soft wallpaper with traditional furnishings that will feel stylish forever. 24 of 80 Build a Banquette Built-in banquette seating is a great option if you're short on space. It not only adds seating, but the space beneath the seat can also be used for storage. Using the same upholstery fabric helps tie together the bench and chairs. 25 of 80 Make it Durable Photo: Laurey W. Glenn; Styling: Matthew Gleason Make sure all of your dining room materials and surfaces are spill-proof or easy to clean. These chairs, designed in a modified Parsons style, are upholstered in durable outdoor fabric to withstand upset cups and plates. 26 of 80 Color Your Furniture Alison Gootee; Styling: Matthew Gleason Punch up the energy in your dining room with colored furniture. In this renovated 1960s rancher, Designer Meg Kelly brightened up the dark paneled room with a coat of white paint and added a bright pop of color with a blue painted vintage rattan table. 27 of 80 Hang Plush Drapery Photo Robbie Caponetto / Styling Anne Turner Carroll Set the mood with lush window treatments. Luxurious curtains hung near the ceiling give grand scale to this smaller dining room. 28 of 80 Go Neutral Even if you're not a fan of bright colors, you can still create a striking dining room. This mostly neutral dining room is anything but boring. A variety of fabrics and rich browns punctuated by small colorful accents gives a warm and inviting look to the room. The natural light keeps the dark brown walls from visually closing in the space. 29 of 80 Vary Your Finishes Photo: Laurey W. Glenn, Styling: Matthew Gleason Use mixed finishes for a casual look. These painted chairs are paired with a round mahogany dining table. The mix of finishes on the room's various furnishings provides a collected yet casual appeal. See this 1920s Home Makeover 30 of 80 Double Up Marta Xochilt Perez; Styling: Page Mullins Designer Sarah Bartholomew used the same fabric for the wallcovering and window treatments to create a cohesive space. 31 of 80 Achieve Balance If you have the space, use the layout of a formal dining room. This room highlights the homeowner's preference for symmetry and clean lines. An added built-in china cabinet is designed to look original to the circa-1920s house, adding to the traditional feel. 32 of 80 Design for Durability Photo by: Laurey W. Glenn, Styling by: Elizabeth Demos When selecting your finishes, think about the wear and tear that your dining room may experience beyond spills. The white oak plank flooring with a limed finish in this coastal cottage dining room is perfect for disguising sand tracked in from the beach. A clear wax on top keeps it sealed and hardy. See this Pre-fab Coastal Cottage 33 of 80 Take Advantage of the View Photo: Alexandra Rowley If you want to highlight the view outside of your dining space, keep your furnishings and accessories minimal. This dining table is centered in front of a wall of floor-to-ceiling windows with simple curtains to soften and frame the space. 34 of 80 Plan Ahead for Flexibility Photos by Jean Allsopp Add shelves for greater flexibility. A wall of library shelves in this dining room enhances the cozy cabin feel and offers homeowners the option of converting the space into an office or snug reading nook. Tour this Mountain Getaway 35 of 80 Customize Colors Photography: Laura Moss, Styling: Natasha Louise King Tell a cohesive color story in connected spaces. The wall color in this dining room was custom mixed to match the blue undertones of curtains in the adjoining living room. 36 of 80 Accent with Patterns Photo: Melanie Acevedo, Styling: Olga Naiman Add an unexpected touch to an elegant space by including playful patterns. The jazzy zebra upholstery on these dining chairs keeps the otherwise subdued room from feeling stuffy. See this Calm, Classic Southern Home 37 of 80 Show Off Antiques Photo: Laurey W. Glenn; Styling: Matthew Gleason Instead of refinishing antique pieces, let the natural character shine. Antique iron chairs surround a rustic table in this dining room to lend stylish history to the newly constructed space. 38 of 80 Include Family Pieces Photo: Erica George Dines Formal dining rooms are the perfect place to display family heirlooms and make fantastic conversation pieces when you entertain. A portrait of the homeowner's late mother, who taught her how to entertain, properly presides over this elegant dining room. Tour this Charming Southern Home 39 of 80 Think Outside the Color Box Photo: Laurey W. Glenn Try a nontraditional color scheme. This formal dining room jazzes up a traditional foundation with unexpected color combinations. The graphic green upholstered chairs play off of the distinctive orange-and-gold wallpaper while gilded accents compliment the metallics in the pattern. 40 of 80 Keep it Casual Photo: Roger Davis If you don't have the space for a formal dining room, look for opportunities to leverage another space to do double duty. This center entry hall also multifunctions as the dining room with built-in seating for added storage and a narrow table ensuring ample traffic flow. 41 of 80 Treat a Screened Porch Like a Room Tria Giovan Whether you need a primary dining room or just looking for a second entertaining area, turn your glassed- or screened-in porch into a multipurpose room. This one has a cozy appeal with the natural brick of the home's exterior and fireplace with warm wood tones. 42 of 80 Utilize Corner Spaces Photo: Laurey W. Glenn, Robbie Caponetto A window-filled alcove in this beach house functions like a dining room with a casual table, two slipcovered end chairs, and a pillow-topped banquette. The built-in bench and wall of windows make this small space seem much larger while vintage light fixtures hung with nautical rope instead of standard chains illuminate and ground the space. 43 of 80 Create a Layered Look Photo: Laurey W. Glenn Create a laid-back layered look by mixing and matching patterns - from the linens to the stemware. 44 of 80 Emphasize Architectural Details Andreas von Einsiedel Highlight architectural features with paint. The pastel green of the walls draws your attention to the design elements of the woodwork. 45 of 80 Be Creative with Corners Small spaces are often the perfect place to install built-in storage. An awkward corner becomes a built-in buffet or bar in this dining room. 46 of 80 Add Built-In Bookshelves Photo by Erica George Dines Rows of books in built-in shelves make a beautiful patterned backdrop for the dining table in this space. The repetitive shape of the arches can tie together the room. 47 of 80 Hide Spills Photo: William Waldron Sloshing and splashing are inevitable in a family dining room. A small print rug is a forgiving choice in this kid-friendly space, as it's perfect for camouflaging spills. 48 of 80 Pick a Favorite Historical Period Photo: Lucas Allen Establish a historic style. These homeowners took inspiration from British colonial style, and they limited their color palette to crisp white and ebony. The furnishings in this dining space are classic American or English shapes. See this High Style Lowcountry Home 49 of 80 Create a Relaxed Look Photo by: Tria Giovan, Styling by: Matthew Gleason Just because the dining room is traditionally a formal space doesn't mean you can't try a more casual feel. Mixing high-back upholstered seating with low, slipcovered chairs avoids the predictable formula of a table with matching chairs in this room. Tour this Texas Lake House 50 of 80 Play Up a Fun Color Photo: Laurey W. Glenn Just as gold accessories can complete an outfit, the warm tones of brushed gold flatware and embellished glasses add a layer of warmth to a casual table and cheery room. 51 of 80 Add Character with Salvage Materials Photo by: Helen Norman, Styling by: Rebecca Omweg Salvaged wood offers a distinctive warmth and texture that can't be replicated with new wood. The wood floors in this dining room were salvaged locally. See this Naturally Inspired Georgia Lake House 52 of 80 Rustic Iron and Wood Dining Photo: Laurey W. Glenn Surrounded by a set of Queen Anne chairs scooped up at a secondhand shop in Charleston, this iron-and-wood dining room table crafted by Charles Calhoun creates a relaxed, rustic room. 53 of 80 Highlight the Season Neutral dining spaces are perfect for highlighting seasonal decor. This dining room picks up the personality of seasonal florals and accents. 54 of 80 Repeat Shapes Create some rhythm in your space by repeating the shape of your table in the rug. This rectangular rug is large enough that all four legs of pulled-back chairs remain on the rug. 55 of 80 Separate the Space Separate spaces by using a portier. This dining and living room are adjoined by a large cased opening. Curtain panels make the space more versatile, add softness to the dining room, and provide privacy when necessary. 56 of 80 Focus Your Attention Highlight a grand focal piece by pairing it with neutral accents. A shell-encrusted china cabinet is the star of this dining space; the neutral furnishings don't compete for attention. 57 of 80 Drape the Dining Room Use draperies to bring texture to your dining room. Sheer curtain panels along the wall allow natural light to filter into the space. 58 of 80 Mix Sleek and Ornate Don't feel tied to one style. Modern black dining chairs mixed with traditional armchairs make this dining space eclectic yet elegant. 59 of 80 Mix New Finds with Family Heirlooms Photo: Tria Giovan Supplement your family pieces with furniture found at antique and secondhand stores. For a modern contrast, this homeowner used flea-market-found barrel chairs in white to contrast the dark oak of his great-grandfather's dining table and sideboard. See this Chattanooga Bungalow 60 of 80 Hang a Lantern Choose a lantern fixture for a more casual look. A standard chandelier would overwhelm this laid-back space, but a wrought-iron lantern fixture is just right. 61 of 80 Hang Plates as Art Sure, you've seen plates hung on a wall before, but these rectangular beauties take the concept to the next level. The collection of 10 colorful plates acts as artwork in this dining room. 62 of 80 Repurpose an Unused Room Turn an infrequently used space into a dining room. This conservatory is part dining room, part greenhouse. The open and airy space boasts spectacular views and plenty of natural light. 63 of 80 Raise the Fireplace This dining room fireplace is raised to table height so it can be enjoyed by everyone in the room. 64 of 80 Select a Signature Style Item Have at least one unique conversation piece in your dining room. A whimsical light fixture becomes a focal point over this dining table and speaks to the design sense of the homeowner. 65 of 80 Layer Window Treatments Mix your window treatments for flexibility. Matchstick blinds with curtain panels control the level of light and privacy in this dining room. 66 of 80 Install a Plate Rail A built-in shelf breaks up this very vertical space and offers a place to display plates and other accents. 67 of 80 Select for Scale Select a light fixture that fits the scale of your space. A large rustic chandelier fits both the personality and size of this lofty dining space. 68 of 80 Repeat Shapes An oval table is the perfect companion for this curved banquette. 69 of 80 Cover Your Chairs Not only do slipcovers lend a casual cottage look to a space, but they also make a dining room more user-friendly. These monogrammed covers can easily be tossed in the wash in case of spills. 70 of 80 Repeat a Motif The whimsical botanical wallpaper in this room is mirrored in the organic shapes of the chandelier, and the subtle zig-zag of the chair upholstery is repeated in the rug. 71 of 80 Wrap in Wood Photo by: Helen Norman, Styling by: Rebecca Omweg Think beyond drywall for your walls and ceiling. This dining room is completely finished with wood. A warm wood ceiling and floor treatment paired with painted wood walls adds vintage character to the space. Tour this Modern Dogtrot Home 72 of 80 Set Up a Combination of Seating Arrangements Photo: Laurey W. Glenn Give an everyday dining space a casual vibe with a combination of seating arrangements, like the wing chairs, curvy settee, and burlap-topped benches that circle this dining table. 73 of 80 Limit Materials for Minimalism Tria Giovan The white stained table and modern white chairs echo this home's minimalist vibe. 74 of 80 Historic Simplicity Photo: Helen Norman This updated dining room offers a clean, modern look that is both private and quiet. 75 of 80 Add Pattern with your China Photo: Laurey W. Glenn Let your china shine as the room's color and pattern. It's the secret to classic style that's not overdone. 76 of 80 Take Inspiration from Antiques Photo: Laurey W. Glenn Pairing antiques with natural curiosities, like the modern gold-lined black shades on the chandelier, gives this room a more personal touch. 77 of 80 Mix Shapes and Sizes Photo by Laurey W. Glenn A large round table in a square dining room makes conversations easier, and most have leaves for when you need extra seating. 78 of 80 Create a Sophisticated Family-Friendly Space Photo: Laurey W. Glenn Anchored by a clean-lined Parsons table (left unpolished to stand up to fingerprints), the dining room is both sophisticated and family friendly. Galvanized-metal French Tolix chairs designed in the 1930s and a long bench (which has been known to hold as many as six kids) provide some much needed flexibility and style. See more of this Family-Friendly Remodel 79 of 80 Be Creative Photo: Jonny Valiant Conical baskets, believed to have once been used by fishermen, are now airy pendant shades over this South Carolina pine dining table. 80 of 80 Set the Tone with Flooring A brick floor is a great choice when you want a rustic, farm-style look. The various colors of the brick flooring inspired the color scheme in this dining space. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! 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