70 of the Coziest, Most Inspiring Dining Rooms of All Time

It’s almost November! And for many of us, that means Thanksgiving is close…and the holidays right after that. A time of year when gathering around the table with friends, family and loved ones is a favorite activity. Whether your table is teeny tiny or your dining room big and open, we all want our dining areas to feel like warm, inviting, cozy spaces for our guests (and ourselves!). If you need inspiration, look no further than the 70 rooms below.

I’ve divided the dining rooms below into four different style groups to show that just about any dining room can be made to feel cozy. Find the style that is closest to your current dining room to get tips for how to add even more warmth and comfort to your space — or look through each room for inspiration on the style direction you want to push your dining room to before guests arrive.

Vintage finds, lots of textiles, tactile textures, and plenty of plants…when it comes to one of the easiest — and most affordable — ways to craft a cozy dining room, you’d be hard pressed to mess up an eclectic, bohemian look. Adjust the cozy vibes by how many things you decide to bring into the space. Be sure to layer in decor at different heights to balance the room. Mix together only the elements you love along with lots of natural materials that are soft to the touch, and you’ll have a one-of-a-kind composition that works and that’s casual. It’ll also be a laid-back environment that will allow your guests and you to relax and enjoy the gathering.

→ How to Create a “Dining Room” In Even the Smallest of Homes

Color on the walls can play a huge part in creating a cozy dining room or dining nook. It’s not quite as easy as layering in vintage finds, but if you really want to make a bold impact at your holiday gathering this year, consider a wall color makeover. Whether choosing a dark and dramatic wall paint, a bold and vibrant one, or a even a bright and warm hue, all color has the effect of visually “hugging” the room’s inhabitants. A hue other than white on your walls will bring life into the space and create a colorful backdrop for all the great memories you’ll be creating this year.

Of course, if your style skews more minimal, you don’t have to stuff your space or paint the walls a bold color. Look to Scandinavian-inspired dining rooms to help you infuse your dining area with warmth and coziness. Scandi-inspired spaces manage to do a lot with a little; there’s not always a ton of stuff, but these types of rooms never feel cold or sterile. They manage to feel cozy and fresh at the same time. And because Scandi-inspired dining rooms tend to feature a lot of organic, natural materials, your guests will feel like sinking in and staying awhile.

→ A Foolproof Layering Formula for a Dreamy Rustic Glam Dining Room

There’s a sweet simplicity to dining rooms that use color and pattern as a way to add coziness. These are rooms that are as colorful as a plate of deliciously prepared food. These are spaces with an energy that’s great for conversation. Bold, graphic art adds interest and uplifts. Color is used in furniture and unusual spots. Sometimes the lighting is dramatic, sometimes it’s the rug, or sometimes it’s the floral arrangement. There’s one thing for sure, these types of dining rooms are never boring.