Dining Room Design Ideas

Shop the dining sets in six new wooden finishes.

Good design isn’t just for wine glasses and fancy occasions. We like to incorporate it into everything we use on a daily basis, from the rugs under our feet to the lighting above. And that includes our regular tableware. So if you’re looking for beautiful drinking glasses that you can use every day, look no further than these 11 picks.

You are not stuck with a dining table you don’t like, even if you can’t afford to buy a new one or have to stick with the one you have for some reason. There are things that can be done, of the DIY variety, that can spice up a dining table and add a little delight to your dining room. Peruse this list of makeover options and decide if one might fit your dining style!

People ask me about my dining room wall color all the time, and I have no regrets.

You may be surprised how well this youthful decor element works in this setting.

According to real estate pros.

If you’re in the market for new dining chairs, consider what’s in the home office department for a fun, unexpected seating alternative.

Here's how to create a small, functional comfy zone in your own home.

No coasters required!

You can still DIY it though!

Without using a rug or a room divider!

I seriously considered adding a plethora of vintage chairs to my dining table during my last move. However, I found that only having a two-person table didn’t quite have the same effect. If you have a large seating table, adding a hodge-podge of mismatched chairs can have a fun and quirky effect.Chances are, the lone vintage chair at the thrift store is much cheaper than buying a brand new dining chair at a home furnishings store.

One of our favorite ways to add a little excitement to an interior is by mixing old and new pieces. Nowhere is this more true than in the dining room, where an old-fashioned table and modern chairs make an especially attractive pair. Here are eight of our favorite examples. Above: An antique table and modern shell chairs mix in the dining room of a Madrid home spotted on Planete Deco.

The popularity of cocktails is on the rise, and the home bar is making a comeback in the American home. But even if you’re not lucky enough to have a wet bar, you can still set up a dedicated space for mixing drinks, no matter the size of your home. Read on for plenty of ideas from our tours. Above: Marina has a fairly impressive collection of liquor that lives on the kitchen countertop in her New York apartment.

Have you ever been in a home that just feels right? One where chairs pull out easily from the dining table and conversation can be made without shouting across the living room? Well there are reasons for that, and they probably have a lot to do with the spacing and placement of furniture. Following a few simple guidelines on furniture placement will make a world of difference in the functionality of your home’s layout.

Elevate your dining experience.

Make room for this metal on your shopping list.

And you can buy one at IKEA!

If high-end bouclé isn't currently in your budget, you can find a few ways to get the look for less. Typically, that involves smaller pieces, but if you're ready to invest in a more substantial furnishing that won't totally break the bank, the best place to try bouclé may actually be in your bedroom... for your headboard.

This genius design adds more dining room seating that doubles as a place to lounge.

Figuring out the whole dining without a proper dining room situation is really just a matter of going a little 007 with your table.

So she got them all!

It really doesn't get more organic and earthy than this.

Visual interest overhead without all the fuss!

Since I A) live in Brooklyn and B) basically live to eat good pasta, I was naturally very excited to learn of a recent collaboration between chef-designed ceramics brand Jono Pandolfi and celebrated chef Missy Robbins. Missy is the mastermind behind popular Brooklyn-based pasta restaurants Lilia and Misi (be still my heart), so this is one collaboration that feels like a long time coming.

No walls? No problem. You can still have a dining room or a little nook in the middle of your open floor plan.

According to real estate experts.

This may be the cheapest, chicest closet ever!

I'm obsessed with the bright orange three-quart one!

They're all $100 or less.

Work from your dining table—but make it comfy and chic!

Artfully eclectic is the goal!

Snag seats in this style, and you just might be able to use them FOREVER.

If you’re lucky enough to have the space for a formal dining area then we’ll all just be patiently waiting for our dinner party invite. Really though, if you have the space, large or small, it’s great to put the effort into making your dining area memorable because let’s face it, it’s not common these days that we have the time to stop and enjoy a meal together.

The dining room — or in smaller homes, the “dining area” — has become a forgotten, cluttered spot in many homes. With our tables piled with old mail collecting dust, many of us eat our meals in front of Netflix or on the go. But whether you entertain guests or cook meals for one, you deserve a beautiful spot in your home just for enjoying eating a meal.

One item can completely transform a room!

Mindy Kaling is serving fresh interior design inspo a la carte, with a recent Instagram post showing a corner of her dining room.

With the rise of open floor plans, bar stools have taken a more prominent position in the home. Dining tables seem to be going the way of the Dodo in favor of breakfast bars and dining counters. Here’s our look at the best bar and counter stools – both with and without backs – on the market today. Backless Bar Stools • Rig Adjustable Bar Stool from CB2 – Adjustable seat, industrial edge, warm wood and a shock of red. This stool ranks up there as a new favorite.

There is a lot to learn from Liz and John’s 1926 Craftsman, especially when it comes to tossing out the rules and following your gut. While this “eclectic gothic-glam” dining room is constantly evolving, we’re going to break down the space to elements that work, and show you how to get the look: 89″ x 98.

Balancing your plate on your lap and eating over the kitchen sink may work for awhile but at some point you’ll feel better about life if you eat at a proper table. While it may seem like a waste of space, especially in a small apartment, a dining table can become an essential piece of furniture, used for meals, crafts and even serving as a work station. Check out this roundup of dining tables big and small to see if there’s one that will fit in your home.

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Though for some of us they still sound like an impossible luxury of space.

Name: Holley Simmons and Audrey Matthias Location: Mt. Pleasant; Washington, D.C. Size: 1,200 square feet Years lived in: 3 years; Rented In September of last year we introduced you to the beautiful decor and fashion sense of friends and roommates Holley Simmons and Audrey Matthias. The duo recently remodeled the dining room of their apartment in Mt. Pleasant, NW D.C, and we can’t help but admire the mix of modern textiles and vintage furniture.

It's dinner party season.

Give your cozy corner some flair with these easy tips.

You don't necessarily need a refreshing glass of lemonade or blood orange sorbet to enjoy this fruity fad.

You don't need to have a dinner party to create a gorgeous tablescape.

Matching dining room sets are overrated.