Get design inspiration and decorating ideas to makeover your dining room for everyday, entertaining, and holidays.
Hector Manuel Sanchez; Styling: Barbara Schmidt
The dining room is one room that isn’tgoing out of style.
A large shell chandelier fits both the personality and size ofthis high-ceiling costal dining space.
Credit:Hector Manuel Sanchez; Styling: Barbara Schmidt
The funky light fixture served as a jumping point for the rest of the room’s decor.
Double Up on a Print
Carmel Brantley
Don’t be afraid to repeat a motif.
The tall walls are bookended with a light gray trim and wainscoting that is softened with a subtle wallpaper.
Credit:Laurey W. Glenn; Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller
Small blue and green-hued accents and natural light give a warm and inviting look to the room.
A strikingpiece of artof interesting light fixture are a great way to anchor any size dining space.
She also anchored the dining spot with a jute rug to distinguish it.
Credit:Photographer: James Ransom; Styling: Christina Wressell
She used Farrow & Balls Inchyra Blue (No.
- and sees it as “its own little jewel box, she says.
The space features avintage tableand cane chairs she scored for a songat a local thrift store.
Credit:Carmel Brantley
Thisdining roomfeatures antique chairs purchased at a citywide garage sale in Llano, Texas.
It is designed to fit a young family while honoring the original architecture and character of the space.
Luxurious curtains hung near the ceiling give grand scale to the room.
Credit:Amy Neunsinger
Go Coastal
DesignerKara Milleropted for a banquette to make the most of her small dining space.
At our old house, we never set foot in the dining room, says Maple.
Inspired by Williamsburg, she wrapped a mural around the space.
Credit:LAUREY W. GLENN; Styling: Page Mullins
The murals fits perfectly with the vintage tone and decor throughout the room.
Color Your Furniture
Punch up the energy in your dining room with colored furniture.
Emphasize Architectural Details
Highlight architectural features with paint.
Credit:Markus Wilborn of MW Concepts
The pastel green of the walls draws your attention to the design elements of the woodwork.
Mix and Mingle
Mid-century modern and Southwestern pieces join forces for an eclectic style.
Furnish with a narrow table and armless dining chairs to maximize space.
Credit:HECTOR MANUEL SANCHEZ; Styling: KATHLEEN VARNER
All of these elements help thislight-filled dining roomfeel airy and open.
Try a Round Table
Encourage conversation with a round table.
To keep things intimate, your table shouldn’t exceed 40-inches in diameter.
Credit:Robert Peterson; Styling: Francis Bailey
With multiple doorways, using a round table in this dining room helps open up space as well.
Opt for Casual Seating
This space serves as a library and dining area.
Embrace Practicality
An extendable farm table is paired with lightweight wooden chairs to accommodate a crowd.
Credit:Alison Gootee; Styling: Page Mullins
She complemented the walls with bright coral upholstered dining chairs.
Plan Ahead for Flexibility
Add shelves for greater flexibility.
This round table and antique chairs are covered in simple linen and checked fabrics to create a friendly space.
Credit:Eric Piasecki
Adainty scalloped edgeon the chairs and table topper adds a decorative, layered touch.
On the left side of this room, reclaimed heart-pine pocket doors can be closed to hide the kitchen.
Splurge and Save
Prioritize your spending.
Credit:KATIE CHARLOTTE; STYLING: TAYLOR HILL
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.
Add Height
Emphasize the height of your dining room with vertical stripes.
Credit:Alison Gootee; Styling: Kate Malpeli
Floor-to-ceiling windows also help this space feel lofty and light, even with dark furnishings.
She used a playful, soft wallpaper with traditional furnishings that will feel stylish forever.
Build a Banquette
Built-in banquette seating is a great option if you’re short on space.
Laurey W. Glenn; Styling: Lindsey Ellis Beatty.
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.
Vary Your Finishes
Use mixed finishes for a casual look.
James Ransom; Styling: Alya Hameedi.
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.
A clear wax on top keeps it sealed and hardy.
In lieu of a grand chandelier, the designer chose a warm, antique- style lantern from Visual Comfort & Co.Credit:Hector Manuel Sanchez
Customize Colors
Tell a cohesive color story in connected spaces.
Accent with Patterns
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.
Credit:ALISON GOOTEE; Styling by Dakota Willimon
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.
The repetitive shape of the arches can tie together the room.
Credit:Cody Ulrich
The wood floors in this dining room were salvaged locally.
Repurpose an Unused Room
Turn an infrequently used space into a dining room.
This conservatory is part dining room, part greenhouse.
Credit: PHoto: Laurey W. Glenn
The open and airy space boasts spectacular views and plenty of natural light.
Wrap in Wood
Think beyond drywall for your walls and ceiling.
This dining room is completely finished with wood.
Credit: Laurey W. Glenn; Styling by Lindsey Ellis Beatty
A warm wood ceiling and floor treatment paired with painted wood walls adds vintage character to the space.
Add Pattern with your China
Let your china shine as the room’s color and pattern.
It’s the secret to classic style that’s not overdone.
Credit:Brian Woodcock
To make the white furnishings really pop, the walls are covered in zippy Netherfield wallpaper fromOsborne & Little.
Credit: Carmel Brantley
Credit:James Ransom
“I felt like I was getting away with something when I bought this table because the price was so reasonable for the quality and craftsmanship,” says Williams.Credit:Brie Williams
Credit:Alison Gootee
Credit: Robbie Caponetto; Styling: Kendra Surface
Credit: Marta Xochilt Perez; Styling: Page Mullins
Credit: Alison Gootee; Styling: Matthew Gleason
Credit: Andreas von Einsiedel
Credit: Laurey W.Glenn
Credit: Photo: Helen Norman
Credit: Brie Williams; Styling by Kate Malpeli
Credit: Photo: Alexandra Rowley
Credit:ALISON GOOTEE
Credit:Erica Dunhill
Credit: Photo: Laurey W. Glenn
Credit:Laurey W. Glenn
Credit: Laurey W. Glenn
Credit: Laurey W. Glenn
Credit: Hector Manuel Sanchez; Styling: Barbara Schmidt
Credit: Paul Costello; Styling: Howard Christian
Credit: Annie Schlechter; Styling: Raina Kattelson
Credit: Photo: Eric Piasecki, Styling by Heather Chadduck Hillegas
Credit: Photo: Hector Manuel Sanchez; Styling: Elly Poston Cooper
Credit: Photography Van Chaplin, Charles Walton IV / Styling Buffy Hargett
Credit: Photos by Jean Allsopp
Credit: Photo: Jonny Valiant
Credit: Photo by: Laurey W. Glenn
Credit: Photo: Tria Giovan, Styling: Olga Naiman
Credit: Photo: Laurey W. Glenn
Credit: Jonny Valiant; Styling: Elizabeth Demos
Credit: Peter Murdock; Styling: Liz Strong
Credit: Photo: Laurey W. Glenn
Credit: Laurey W. Glenn
Credit: Laurey W. Glenn; Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller
Credit: Photo: Laurey W. Glenn; Styling: Matthew Gleason
Credit: Photo: Laurey W. Glenn, Styling: Matthew Gleason
Credit: Photo by: Laurey W. Glenn, Styling by: Elizabeth Demos
Credit: Photography: Laura Moss, Styling: Natasha Louise King
Credit: Photo: Melanie Acevedo, Styling: Olga Naiman
Credit: Photo: Erica George Dines
Credit: Photo: Laurey W. Glenn, Robbie Caponetto
Credit: Photo by Erica George Dines
Credit: Photo by: Tria Giovan, Styling by: Matthew Gleason
Credit: Photo: Laurey W. Glenn
Credit: Photo by: Helen Norman, Styling by: Rebecca Omweg
Credit: Photo: Laurey W. Glenn
Credit: Photo: Tria Giovan
Credit: Photo by: Helen Norman, Styling by: Rebecca Omweg
Credit: Photo: Laurey W. Glenn
Credit: Photo: Laurey W. Glenn
Credit: Photo: Laurey W. Glenn
Credit:LAUREY W. GLENN
