40 Dining Room Decorating Styles
Vintage chic [1]
Scandinavian style inspired gray-painted wood floors in this Chicago-area house. The homeowner upholstered a mix of chairs with vintage grain sacks—easy to do with a staple gun. A vintage shutter leans against the wall.
Antiques show [4]
Statement pieces, such as a wine-barrel-stave chandelier and a 19th-century clock, add drama in the dining room of this Ohio home.
Rustic elegance [7]
A welcoming warm palette of taupes and grays steers dinner parties in a relaxed direction in the dining room of this Michigan home. A twig chandelier adds rustic elegance above a farm table dressed up with side chairs in a whitewash finish. Grass-cloth wallpaper brings texture.
Original style [10]
Placing a dining table in front of soaring windows styled like the 1930s originals takes advantage of natural light. Floral-patterned ceiling-high curtains draw eyes out to the landscape.
Bright outlook [13]
It takes a long pendant to light the length of this rustic, white oak table that seats 10. Contemporary green leather chairs add bright color in the dining room of this Lake Michigan home.
Salvaged chic [16]
A mix of chairs looks casual around an old farm table. Vintage—and white—items are the heart of the French farmhouse decorating style in this 1909 Illinois home.
Vivid setting [19]
Bold wall color and fabric choices energize this dining room. Dark wood and light art balance the effect.
Mix and match [22]
Modern chairs pull up to a traditional wood table. Linens, a throw on the booth and unframed art balance the bold yellow wall.
Vintage fun [25]
The dining area echoes the playful, repurposed spirit in the rest of this Minnesota home. A red tool caddy on top of a salvaged cheese-crate side table serves as a beverage bar during gatherings. Large casters elevate an antique farm table to counter height and make it easy to move. A metal laundry pail filled with flowers tops the table.
Earthy elements [28]
Framed botanical prints and tulips are crowning earthy touches in a warm and natural tone established with a wood dining set, soft green walls and hardwood flooring.
Modern aesthetic [31]
The straight lines of the Parsons-style table and leather chairs complement the angular simplicity of this room. A linear contemporary glass light fixture is a unique interpretation of a traditional crystal chandelier.
Cottage chic [34]
A casual cottage look always embraces the great outdoors. Make the most of views and natural light by minimizing window treatments--even dare to go bare where privacy isn't a concern. Supplement the organic mood with wood and other natural materials--in flooring and furniture. Highlight texture, too, with accents such as neatly woven rattan, like on the backs of these chairs.
Dining with collections [37]
Dramatic color works well in this dining room made for entertaining. Playful conversation starters include world globes spilling out of the fireplace and a collection of vintage light bulbs. A boat prow "bar" and contemporary chairs complete the eclectic mix.
Dress up a ceiling [40]
Add detailed richness to an intimate dining room by applying stock molding to a drywall ceiling.
Making new look old [43]
The family who built this new Wisconsin lake home wanted to give it vintage charm. In the dining room, workers scuffed up raw pine floors (later sealed) for a naturally aged look.
Ecofriendly space [46]
Environmentally friendly elements feel right at home in this sunny dining space. The natural twig chandeliers have LED light bulbs; the table top is cement flanking a tree slice; walls sport zero-VOC paint; and the chairs wear organic upholstery.
Lakeside casual [49]
An X-base table reminiscent of an old picnic table, surrounded by simple country-style chairs, invites casual family meals in this lakeside home's dining room. A striped rug, boat oars and local folk art add to the down-home feel.
Open dining [52]
This compact dining area links the living area and the kitchen. The round table takes up less space than a rectangular one, and cream-color chairs with curved backs also keep the space feeling airy. An oversize barrel light fixture adds contemporary style.
Playful gathering [55]
Designed to be flexible for a family with small kids and teenagers, this circular table offers a variety of seating options: a curved banquette sofa, two armchairs and benches. Mix and match fabrics in playful patterns and colors punch up the style and mask wear and tear.
Dramatic pattern [58]
A statement wallpaper makes this dining room a standout. The busy pattern is offset by the dark wood floor, simply framed mirror and clean-lined dining table.
Abstract aspect [61]
A large abstract painting brings all the color and pattern needed to define this modern dining space. A built-in wall-to-wall cabinet buffet makes it easy to serve a crowd. A stone table top and simple leather chairs enhance the sophisticated feel.
Informal flexibility [64]
This dining area next to a kitchen accommodates quick breakfasts, snacks or company for dinner. Built-in cabinetry provides storage as well as an area for a flat-screen TV. Two wicker chairs offer seating for everyday meals, while a banquette love seat goes to work when company arrives.
Simple elegance [67]
Muted colors and a touch of antiqued silver give this dining room its classy vibe. While the colors are understated, the mix of chair styles, finishes and tasteful accents gives the room elegant style.
Country classic [70]
High-back spindle chairs and stained-glass light fixtures put traditional "country" in this dining space. The long dining table accommodates large family meals. The dining room's wood tones warm the adjoining white kitchen.
Multicultural mix [73]
This dining space, carved out of a renovated firehouse, uses French posters and Asian-style chairs around a square table for an eclectic style.
Bringing the outdoors in [76]
A casual, glass-wrapped eating space makes the most of this house's natural surroundings and lake view. A vintage pine table, surrounded by rattan chairs, feels right at home with the scenery. A spherelike chandelier adds a touch of sophistication.
Modern city style [79]
In this condominium dining room, bases on contemporary molded-plastic chairs subtly repeat the X-base wood table. A stark white-and-brown color scheme has a definite city/urban feel. The pass-through to the kitchen, with a serving buffet underneath, offers flexibility for entertaining.
Simple symmetry [82]
This dining room sports an assortment of subdued patterns and textures in a striped cotton rug, leather seat cushions, houndstooth pillows, diamond-embroidered drapes and floral upholstery. Simple ivory pottery pieces provide the only accents needed.
Eclectic style [85]
A glass table and black leather-and-steel chairs offer modern contrast to the mix of vintage poster art and collections of hats and pottery.
Country banquette [88]
This cozy corner banquette, between the kitchen and family room, offers display area in the cabinets to one side and storage under the built-in seating. Country collectibles dot the window ledge and table.
Sophisticated style [91]
This formal dining room is serene and stylish with its soft hues, marble-top table and slipcovered chairs. Contemporary art avoids any stuffiness, and a curvy crystal-laden chandelier creates a focal point.
European country [94]
Sunshine-yellow walls, a vintage pine table and pretty plaid Parsons chairs add a cheerful tone to vintage crystal and silver, an elegant Queen Anne chair and modern art.
Garden dining [97]
Ironwork pieces on the walls make this casual dining spot feel as if it's in the garden. Vintage turnings create a table base for a clear round glass top. Undressed French doors let the sun shine in.
Natural touches [100]
Birch tree wallpaper and a gilded branch chandelier lend a subtle natural theme to this dining room. Damask fabric-covered round-back chairs and a sunburst mirror add sparkle and style.
Elegant country [103]
Slipcovered chairs, flowing curtains and a curvy iron chandelier mix with a dark wood European country table and sideboard to create a tasteful yet relaxed setting.
Keep it simple [106]
Painted Queen Anne chairs and white shutters set the tone for a simple, cheerful dining space. A wooden root bowl filled with wheatgrass and daisies makes a natural, easy centerpiece.
Made for entertaining [109]
A grand multilight chandelier (on dimmers) and huge pillar candles on the table set the scene at dinner parties. Beautiful art and softly draped curtains contribute to the ambience.
On a budget [112]
Light pendants (instead of a chandelier), colorful dishware and an inexpensive DIY slipcovered chair add touches of youthful style to this informal dining room.
Updated Victorian [115]
Give fresh style to traditional Chippendale chairs and an arched china cabinet by pairing them with a whitewashed table instead of the usual matching one. Inject more energy with unusual color combinations, such as the orange and gold that shows up in this dining room's art and two-tone taffeta curtains.
Smooth simplicity [118]
Details enhance this Asian-inspired, Zen-like dining room with its streamlined furniture. Glass and silver accessories, a stone table runner, leopard print upholstered seats, and the nubby natural textures of the rug and captain's chair bring a variety of visual surprises to the space.
Seasonal style [121]
Take your casual table and wicker chairs from summer to winter by adding a to-the-floor tablecloth layered with a knit throw. Re-cover seat cushions, and tuck in back throw pillows. Adding layers of fabric (even at the windows) helps winterize a summer setting.
Traditional formality [124]
Upholstered wing chairs and an Asian-pattern rug soften the dark wood tones of a traditional French-style table and ladder-back chairs. The large china cabinet displays a collection of off-white pottery, and six botanical prints add subtle color.
See-through style [127]
A glass table and wire chairs add visual space to this dining area tucked into a windowed bump-out.
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