Dining room design ideas that will get you inspired
Dining room design ideas that will get you inspired
From colour palette ideas to the best décor styles, here are some dining room ideas to get you inspired.
Open plan or standalone, dining rooms come in many styles, colours and sizes. Whether it’s the décor, lighting, or layout – your surroundings have an impact on your dining experience.
Your dining room needs to suit your lifestyle. If you have a small dining room, you need to choose a dining set that fits, or if you regularly entertain, choosing the right wall colour that will set the mood.
From colour palette ideas to the best décor styles, here are some dining room ideas to get you inspired. Once you’re done reading, check out our bestselling dining sets to get started.
As an interior décor style, modern farmhouse has constantly been evolving but has stayed true to its core themes. This is an ideal style if you have an open plan kitchen and dining room area and you want to give it a cosy, approachable charm.
Choose an oak dining set with a contemporary finish like black accents and clean lines. Make sure there’s a lot of natural lighting for a refreshing ambience. Create a soft, textured environment with wooden accents, woven rugs and stone finishes to complete the look.
Going green is always a good idea, especially in the dining room. As a colour, it brings us closer to nature and gives the room a fresh, natural feel. Whether it’s a soft mint tone or deep mossy green, it brings a sense of calm to your space.
Picking green also invites you to decorate with other natural textures. Picking a wooden dining set will complement the green tones and match the flooring if you have wooden tiles. If you want to introduce other colours to the dining room, go for light neutrals like cool greys, beige or wood tones to keep the tranquil vibe.
As a palette that matches a glass of wine, a red dining room is inviting and is the perfect setting for an intimate dinner party. Many restaurants use red as part of their décor, as studies have shown that it increases appetites. Red is a good colour choice if you enjoy date nights at home or if you regularly entertain at home.
A deep red like oxblood sets the mood for warmth and sophistication, while ruby red or crimson gives the room vibrance and intensity. If you’re looking for the perfect dining set, we recommend a dark wood one as it will complement the romantic mood of the walls.
If you prefer darker colours like black and grey, using them in small doses is best, as too much of these tones in the dining room can make it feel depressing. This can be done through furniture like table legs, window frames, or painting your kitchen cabinets instead of your walls. A good tip is to bring in lighter colours to break it up. Wood tones or beige layers lighten the room and stylishly contrast with the black and grey accents.
If you’re thinking about breathing new life into your dining area, introducing mismatched chairs is an easy way to do so without changing your dining room’s layout. This eclectic arrangement is about combining different materials, designs, and colours in a thoughtful way to create a look that’s unique and well-coordinated.
A great way to start styling the mismatched look is to focus on a common element that ties all the dining chairs together. This could be a similar colour palette, material, fabric, or design. For more tips on how to nail this look check out our guide.
Art Deco is having a revival thanks to its bold, timeless style. One way to pay homage to this style is with a statement dining set in the dining room. Choosing a marble dining table sets the room's vibe, especially if you enjoy entertaining. Stylishly contrast the table with equally glamorous dining chairs in velvet or plush fabric upholstery. Round off the look with sophisticated accessories like a chic fabric rug and framed artwork.
If painting your walls isn’t enough, introducing wallpaper with wall panelling will add character and depth to your dining room. If your panelling is on the bottom half of your wall, wallpaper the top half for a layered look.
Decide what patterns you like – florals, botanical or geometric patterns are great for the dining room. You can choose the same colour palette for both to make the space more cohesive or a neutral tone for the walls to complement the wallpaper and doesn’t clash with the space. Since the walls are the focal point of the room, choose a dining set that will ground the room, preferably in colours like black, grey or dark brown.
Orange is another way to shake up your dining room interiors with a burst of colour. Its warm, inviting tone creates a cosy and welcoming vibe, especially for a space that’s all about gathering round. Just like red, it stimulates appetites and taste buds, setting the mood for cosy meals. Choose an orange tone like burnt orange or a hue closer to terracotta as its earthy undertone will ground the room.
Tropical style brings a relaxed and soothing feel to the dining room. Sky blue walls create that cheerful, sunny feeling and invite natural light in. A stylish oak and glass dining set complements the relaxing blue walls and allows you to bring in more natural accents. A jute rug and rattan lamp highlight the tropical feel and showcase the laidback elements of this style.
When done right, yellow is a zesty choice for the dining room. It brings joy, brightness and warmth, especially if you want to invite the natural light in. When choosing the right shade of yellow, think about the interior style of your dining room — lemon or sunbeam tones are great for Scandi interiors, while buttery yellows work for cottage or classic styles.
If you’re worried about yellow overwhelming your space, introduce cool neutrals like grey, white or wooden tones to bring balance. You don’t have to use yellow on the walls if you think it's too much, you can introduce it through artwork, curtains or cushions.
Decorating with earth tones helps create a soothing ambience in the dining room. Muted brown tones like beige, camel or latte on the walls create a soft but luxe feel. Play with texture to prevent the room from looking one-dimensional. Choose plush fabric for dining chair upholstery and bring in black accents to break up the neutral tones. Picking the right lighting will also brighten the room – warm bulbs will set the mood for relaxation and create specific zones.
As one of the most popular buzzwords, the ‘quiet luxury’ trend is about appreciating well-crafted and designed interiors in all parts of the home. To achieve this discreet yet luxurious vibe in your home, muted colours, bespoke furniture, and timeless décor are key. Instead of projecting luxury in a loud or bold way, focus on subtle, refined materials. For example, a marble dining set in neutral tones like white or grey makes a statement but doesn’t shout or overwhelm the room.
We hope you enjoyed reading our dining room design ideas. Looking for more dining room décor ideas? Read our small dining room ideas guide.
