There is nothing more to a Dining Room than the table and chairs. The table may have a bar cart or a display cabinet for dinnerware, but it is still the room’s focal point. The dining is the main gathering area and the first thing people see when they enter the room. Decorating it is essential! Your dining table deserves the same attention as the style of your coffee table. Find over a dozen tips and ideas, then replicate your favorites.
Garden Figurines
Hadas Dembo of Mise en Scene Design designed this large farmhouse dining table. The vintage French chandelier, which hangs where the hayloft once was, sets a delicate tone. Durable furniture gives it a sense of sophistication. The tabletop is made from a marble fragment from a Vermont chocolate factory. A pitcher of freshly-cut flowers will fit perfectly in a formal yet cozy and storied farmhouse dining room.
Metal Figurines
A prominent rosegold egg figure dominates Shawn Henderson’s vintage Hans Wagner table. Henderson’s use of bronze candlesticks, pendants, and sconces shows that mixing woods and metals (dark oak cabinets, distressed beams overhead, whitewashed floors, rosewood screen) while keeping a simple color palette can deepen a room.
Floral Collection
This classic dining table by Alexandra Kaehler is made alive and vibrant with a collection of vases. The floral arrangements are coordinated, and the vases come in various heights and sizes for cohesion and variation.
Miniature
This dining room, designed by Juan Carretero, features a figurine in a glass display case. The circa-1790 dining area in the Catskills Region of New York has us swooning. The ceiling has been painted in a blush-colored high gloss, giving the room an ambiance of candlelight and enhancing the Art Deco carpet. The contrast between the modern dining chairs and the gilt-framed portrait is even more extraordinary.
Big Catchall
In this case, the boat motif draws the eye up and leaves the middle of the table free for a large catchall and matching glasses.
Statement Tablecloth
Augusta Hoffman, the designer behind this project, explains, “The Bauers were looking for a home which was elegant and practical but also fun.” They are always entertaining and want a place to host large gatherings. The dining room table can seat up to 25 people. The fun tablecloth will warm up any hard surface, whether or not there are guests.
Decanter
The large-scale art anchors and sets the mood in this dining room designed by RM. The artwork is classic, but the bones of the dining room are modern. The room is ready for entertaining with a decanter and a simple vase.
Place settings with Sculptural Sculptures
The tableware displayed in the corner inspired the entire design of this dining room by Cara Fox, including the color scheme and prints. Even the ceiling and floor paints were traditional. The scalloped-edged placemats, ruffled dishes, and round bowls set the tone at the dining room table.
Collected Ceramics
Use your table in a minimalistic dining room to display your favorite ceramics. Bowls, vases, and other ceramic pieces add character to this dining room by Worksteads.
Colorful Glasses
Brittney Bromley, a designer and homeowner, filled several smaller silver vases with florals to match the color scheme of her tablecloth instead of using one sizeable central vase.
Sculptural Objects
The moody dining area designed by Anne Pyne shows that formal does not necessarily mean fussy. The rich jewel tones and layers of patterns are a great way to add a sophisticated touch, but the fabrics and designs should be used sparingly to have an art gallery feel still. The tabletop decor is accented with color to add a touch of contrast.
Circular Tray
Robert McKinley Studio emphasized the circle motif with a spherical pendant light made of paper. They also added contrast to the room by painting the window trims black, placing a square rug over the concrete floor, and hanging an old-fashioned gilt frame. A lazy Susan in the middle of the table gives it personality and makes getting salt easy.
Planter
A sunny shade of sisal wallpaper connects this beautiful room’s kitchen and dining area, designed by Halden Interiors. It also separates them. The marigold centerpiece and large planter perfectly match the overall color scheme.
Assorted Candlesticks
Martha Mulholland and Jacey Dupree designed this dining table. It is decorated with a bouquet and a collection of candlesticks. This dining room table strikes the perfect balance between formality and informality.
Mini Plants
Why use floral arrangements when succulents and other plants can be used instead? The surrounding trees inspire the dining table decor in this Caroline Turner dining room.
