New This Week: 8 Stylish Dining Rooms
The formal dining spot is making a comeback. Get yours ready for entertaining season with these inspiring designs
The formal dining room has gone in and out of fashion for decades. In recent years, it has been surprisingly absent from many new-build floor plans as homeowners gravitated toward open-plan great rooms with less formal dining spots. Meanwhile, many people who do have dining rooms have put formal get-togethers on hold for the past 18 months and used the space as a classroom, home office or drop zone for delivered packages.
But we appear to be on the cusp of a dining room comeback as homeowners rediscover its possibilities as a stylish backdrop for an entertaining dinner party. Here, designers share the details of eight lively dining rooms.
But we appear to be on the cusp of a dining room comeback as homeowners rediscover its possibilities as a stylish backdrop for an entertaining dinner party. Here, designers share the details of eight lively dining rooms.
2. Blue Origin
Designer: Andrea Giles of Andrea Leigh Interiors
Location: Austin, Texas
Size: 140 square feet (13 square meters); 10 by 14 feet
Homeowners’ request. “My clients purchased this historic house and brought their existing furniture that was neutral,” designer Andrea Giles says. “We needed to add color while still keeping everything classic.”
Main feature. “The fabric on the back of the chairs was our jumping-off point,” Giles says. “Our client loves blue, but the Rebecca Atwood fabric allowed us to introduce the fun red on the Currey & Co. light fixtures.”
Other special features. The chair rail detail is original to the room. Giles added textured wallpaper to make the detail stand out. The rug is custom.
“Uh-oh” moment. “We definitely dealt with the old original wiring when moving from one dropped fixture to a set of two lanterns,” Giles says. “Our electrician had a good time with that one.”
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Designer: Andrea Giles of Andrea Leigh Interiors
Location: Austin, Texas
Size: 140 square feet (13 square meters); 10 by 14 feet
Homeowners’ request. “My clients purchased this historic house and brought their existing furniture that was neutral,” designer Andrea Giles says. “We needed to add color while still keeping everything classic.”
Main feature. “The fabric on the back of the chairs was our jumping-off point,” Giles says. “Our client loves blue, but the Rebecca Atwood fabric allowed us to introduce the fun red on the Currey & Co. light fixtures.”
Other special features. The chair rail detail is original to the room. Giles added textured wallpaper to make the detail stand out. The rug is custom.
“Uh-oh” moment. “We definitely dealt with the old original wiring when moving from one dropped fixture to a set of two lanterns,” Giles says. “Our electrician had a good time with that one.”
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3. Old Meets New
Designer: Marina Case of The Red Shutters
Location: Warwick, New York
Homeowners’ request. “The homeowners wanted high impact and lots of color,” designer Marina Case says. “I get a lot of requests for this. And we wanted to marry history with style, which is our expertise. This house is a 1767 Georgian that we wanted to look modern, comfortable and up to date.
Main feature. “We went for high-impact wallpaper,” Case says. “Much of it resembles styles that might have been used in the 18th century had they been available. Colors in England, which influenced the Colonies, were often bright because of the rainy and cloudy climate. Also, color was harder to control because of limited supplies, so often it was a bit more intense than the many options and more subtle shades that we have today.”
Other special features. “The homeowner wanted a combination of old and new, so that is how we selected the combination of furniture and accessories for each room. There are some vintage older items and some new items.”
Designer tip. “Be bold in your choices,” Case says.
Designer: Marina Case of The Red Shutters
Location: Warwick, New York
Homeowners’ request. “The homeowners wanted high impact and lots of color,” designer Marina Case says. “I get a lot of requests for this. And we wanted to marry history with style, which is our expertise. This house is a 1767 Georgian that we wanted to look modern, comfortable and up to date.
Main feature. “We went for high-impact wallpaper,” Case says. “Much of it resembles styles that might have been used in the 18th century had they been available. Colors in England, which influenced the Colonies, were often bright because of the rainy and cloudy climate. Also, color was harder to control because of limited supplies, so often it was a bit more intense than the many options and more subtle shades that we have today.”
Other special features. “The homeowner wanted a combination of old and new, so that is how we selected the combination of furniture and accessories for each room. There are some vintage older items and some new items.”
Designer tip. “Be bold in your choices,” Case says.
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4. Black-and-White Beacon
Designer: This was a collaboration between designer Jennifer Strickler and homeowners Stacie and Mike Duke
Location: Tulsa, Oklahoma
Size: 120 square feet (11 square meters)
Homeowners’ request. “They wanted to get their dining room out of the 1990s,” designer Jennifer Strickler says. “The space was dark and heavy, and they wanted a brighter, more airy feel. They host parties on a regular basis and needed the room to be current and stylish but still cozy.”
Main feature. “This dining room is directly off of the home’s front entry, so it was important that it make a big style impact,” Strickler says. “I proposed that they cover the largest wall in the room in a striking statement wallpaper, and they loved the idea. Thibaut’s Herriot Way was the perfect choice because the curvy black-and-white pattern really catches your eye. It’s playful and elegant at the same time. This feature wall ended up being the jumping-off point for the design of the whole room.”
Other special features. “The layered textures of the brass metal tabletop, cane sideboard, antelope pattern rug and woven texture of the wallpaper all add up to an alluringly inviting room,” Strickler says.
Designer tip. “To create a visually interesting space, choose a statement piece as the foundation and use it to inspire your color and texture selections to build onto the design,” Strickler says. “Don’t be in a rush to put it all together at once. Have fun collecting treasures, and if there is a unique piece you can’t stop thinking about, it’s a sign to bring it home.”
“Uh-oh” moment. “The homeowners wanted to keep her grandmother’s china cabinet in the space but were unsure if it would be an eyesore in a room full of fresh new decor,” Strickler says. “They ended up sanding down the deep red mahogany color and painting it in Sherwin-Williams Tricorn Black. They opted to modernize the way they filled the china cabinet, and now the keepsake looks fashionable in the corner of the room.”
Dining table, chairs and sideboard: Four Hands; wall paint: Pale Oak, Benjamin Moore
Designer: This was a collaboration between designer Jennifer Strickler and homeowners Stacie and Mike Duke
Location: Tulsa, Oklahoma
Size: 120 square feet (11 square meters)
Homeowners’ request. “They wanted to get their dining room out of the 1990s,” designer Jennifer Strickler says. “The space was dark and heavy, and they wanted a brighter, more airy feel. They host parties on a regular basis and needed the room to be current and stylish but still cozy.”
Main feature. “This dining room is directly off of the home’s front entry, so it was important that it make a big style impact,” Strickler says. “I proposed that they cover the largest wall in the room in a striking statement wallpaper, and they loved the idea. Thibaut’s Herriot Way was the perfect choice because the curvy black-and-white pattern really catches your eye. It’s playful and elegant at the same time. This feature wall ended up being the jumping-off point for the design of the whole room.”
Other special features. “The layered textures of the brass metal tabletop, cane sideboard, antelope pattern rug and woven texture of the wallpaper all add up to an alluringly inviting room,” Strickler says.
Designer tip. “To create a visually interesting space, choose a statement piece as the foundation and use it to inspire your color and texture selections to build onto the design,” Strickler says. “Don’t be in a rush to put it all together at once. Have fun collecting treasures, and if there is a unique piece you can’t stop thinking about, it’s a sign to bring it home.”
“Uh-oh” moment. “The homeowners wanted to keep her grandmother’s china cabinet in the space but were unsure if it would be an eyesore in a room full of fresh new decor,” Strickler says. “They ended up sanding down the deep red mahogany color and painting it in Sherwin-Williams Tricorn Black. They opted to modernize the way they filled the china cabinet, and now the keepsake looks fashionable in the corner of the room.”
Dining table, chairs and sideboard: Four Hands; wall paint: Pale Oak, Benjamin Moore
5. Sisal Style
Designer: Samantha Heyl Studio
Location: Richmond, Virginia
Size: 195 square feet (18 square meters)
Homeowners’ request. “This project was a gut renovation,” designer Samantha Heyl says. “The homeowners had just moved in, so everything in the space was way too traditional for their taste. The crystal chandelier was removed and the floors were refinished to a lighter, more natural ash tone from their former amber color. Taking a more modern approach with the furniture and utilizing natural materials and finishes created a soft but high-end look. We included more sculptural pieces, such as the sideboard, dining table and chairs, to emphasize silhouettes.”
Main feature. “The most significant detail and the last piece to be installed was the chandelier,” Heyl says. “It was fabricated and designed by a local Richmond artist, Wendy Umanoff, and really ties the room together by adding contrast and interest to the muted backdrop.”
Other special features. “We specified Schumacher Haruki Sisal wallpaper in Mocha to add depth, texture and warmth to the walls,” Heyl says. “The triptych by French painter Francois Bonnel serves as the main focal point, and the hand-woven Italian silk curtains tie all of the elements together.”
The barrel-back dining chairs are upholstered in blue performance velvet. The dining table is reclaimed Douglas fir.
Designer tip. “I highly recommend ripple-fold curtains if you’re opening and closing them on a daily basis,” Heyl says. “They fold evenly and pull smoothly on the track, and it’s especially functional for heavier-weight fabric.”
“Uh-oh” moment. “The home is over 100 years old, so anytime you are working with a historic property you are bound to open up the walls and find something unexpected,” Heyl says. “Not to mention working with original plaster walls that crumble to the touch. It’s a labor of love that requires determination and communication from everyone involved, from designer to client to contractor.”
Key Measurements for Planning the Perfect Dining Room
Designer: Samantha Heyl Studio
Location: Richmond, Virginia
Size: 195 square feet (18 square meters)
Homeowners’ request. “This project was a gut renovation,” designer Samantha Heyl says. “The homeowners had just moved in, so everything in the space was way too traditional for their taste. The crystal chandelier was removed and the floors were refinished to a lighter, more natural ash tone from their former amber color. Taking a more modern approach with the furniture and utilizing natural materials and finishes created a soft but high-end look. We included more sculptural pieces, such as the sideboard, dining table and chairs, to emphasize silhouettes.”
Main feature. “The most significant detail and the last piece to be installed was the chandelier,” Heyl says. “It was fabricated and designed by a local Richmond artist, Wendy Umanoff, and really ties the room together by adding contrast and interest to the muted backdrop.”
Other special features. “We specified Schumacher Haruki Sisal wallpaper in Mocha to add depth, texture and warmth to the walls,” Heyl says. “The triptych by French painter Francois Bonnel serves as the main focal point, and the hand-woven Italian silk curtains tie all of the elements together.”
The barrel-back dining chairs are upholstered in blue performance velvet. The dining table is reclaimed Douglas fir.
Designer tip. “I highly recommend ripple-fold curtains if you’re opening and closing them on a daily basis,” Heyl says. “They fold evenly and pull smoothly on the track, and it’s especially functional for heavier-weight fabric.”
“Uh-oh” moment. “The home is over 100 years old, so anytime you are working with a historic property you are bound to open up the walls and find something unexpected,” Heyl says. “Not to mention working with original plaster walls that crumble to the touch. It’s a labor of love that requires determination and communication from everyone involved, from designer to client to contractor.”
Key Measurements for Planning the Perfect Dining Room
6. Live-Edge Luxe
Designer: Clara Jung of Banner Day Interiors
Location: Oakland, California
Homeowners’ request. “The clients craved a cozy, layered home to welcome their newest addition to their family,” designer Clara Jung says. “The flow of the home felt off with a late-’80s addition to the home. We did something fairly unusual and removed square footage from the home, which allowed the backyard to feel more natural and expansive. We also opened up the kitchen to the dining room to ensure that there was an open, airy feeling throughout the home.”
Main feature. “The live-edge custom table was the jumping-off point for this room,” Jung says. “We went to a slab yard on the coast of Northern California and were able to choose the perfect slab for a dining table that will last for years to come. It’s really nice to know that the homeowners can share family meals there as well as entertain large dinner parties with ease.”
Other special features. Bamboo plywood and American walnut credenza with brass details. Brass six-light linear chandelier.
Designer tip. “Keep it minimal and let the statement pieces speak for themselves,” Jung says. “Homeowners sometimes feel like they need to place an item in every corner and wall. Make room for negative space. It’s needed to really appreciate the room as a whole and give it some breathing room.”
How to Choose a Dining Table Light
Designer: Clara Jung of Banner Day Interiors
Location: Oakland, California
Homeowners’ request. “The clients craved a cozy, layered home to welcome their newest addition to their family,” designer Clara Jung says. “The flow of the home felt off with a late-’80s addition to the home. We did something fairly unusual and removed square footage from the home, which allowed the backyard to feel more natural and expansive. We also opened up the kitchen to the dining room to ensure that there was an open, airy feeling throughout the home.”
Main feature. “The live-edge custom table was the jumping-off point for this room,” Jung says. “We went to a slab yard on the coast of Northern California and were able to choose the perfect slab for a dining table that will last for years to come. It’s really nice to know that the homeowners can share family meals there as well as entertain large dinner parties with ease.”
Other special features. Bamboo plywood and American walnut credenza with brass details. Brass six-light linear chandelier.
Designer tip. “Keep it minimal and let the statement pieces speak for themselves,” Jung says. “Homeowners sometimes feel like they need to place an item in every corner and wall. Make room for negative space. It’s needed to really appreciate the room as a whole and give it some breathing room.”
How to Choose a Dining Table Light
7. Beam Me Up
Designer: Alexandra Ford of Cummings Architecture + Interiors
Location: Hamilton, Massachusetts
Homeowners’ request. “The previous owner had been a professional caterer and had two kitchens — the client didn’t need both,” designer Alexandra Ford says. “The second kitchen became the new dining room and mudroom. The client also wanted more storage for their family of three children and craved rich colors and vibrant patterns. Their aesthetic is influenced by an appreciation for Asian art and love of gardening.”
Main feature. Exposed rough-hewn wood rafters and posts.
Other special features. Reconstituted stone table. Lantern-style light fixture. Rattan-wrapped chairs.
Designer tip. “Custom built-ins not only offer storage options for the family, they also serve to divide large open spaces and create degrees of privacy,” Ford says.
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Designer: Alexandra Ford of Cummings Architecture + Interiors
Location: Hamilton, Massachusetts
Homeowners’ request. “The previous owner had been a professional caterer and had two kitchens — the client didn’t need both,” designer Alexandra Ford says. “The second kitchen became the new dining room and mudroom. The client also wanted more storage for their family of three children and craved rich colors and vibrant patterns. Their aesthetic is influenced by an appreciation for Asian art and love of gardening.”
Main feature. Exposed rough-hewn wood rafters and posts.
Other special features. Reconstituted stone table. Lantern-style light fixture. Rattan-wrapped chairs.
Designer tip. “Custom built-ins not only offer storage options for the family, they also serve to divide large open spaces and create degrees of privacy,” Ford says.
New to home remodeling? Learn the basics
8. Light and Airy
Designer: Michael Moritz of Stonewater Architecture & Interior Design
Location: Westfield, New Jersey
Size: 196 square feet (18 square meters); 14 by 14 feet
Homeowners’ request. “The owner wanted an inviting dining space that feels open, light and spacious,” architect Michael Moritz says. “I designed the dining room to be open on three sides, which provided the airy feeling while at the same time making the dining space appear larger.”
Main feature. “The two-stepped sheetrock ceiling has an Art Deco feel to it and gives this 9-foot ceiling a more grand feel,” Moritz says.
Other special features. Oversize woven-shade pendant. Expandable table. Houndstooth pattern rug.
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Designer: Michael Moritz of Stonewater Architecture & Interior Design
Location: Westfield, New Jersey
Size: 196 square feet (18 square meters); 14 by 14 feet
Homeowners’ request. “The owner wanted an inviting dining space that feels open, light and spacious,” architect Michael Moritz says. “I designed the dining room to be open on three sides, which provided the airy feeling while at the same time making the dining space appear larger.”
Main feature. “The two-stepped sheetrock ceiling has an Art Deco feel to it and gives this 9-foot ceiling a more grand feel,” Moritz says.
Other special features. Oversize woven-shade pendant. Expandable table. Houndstooth pattern rug.
More on Houzz
Read more design stories
Browse dining room photos
Find a design and remodeling professional in your area
Shop for home decor
Designer: Valeria Albino of Dwell Lane
Location: Austin, Texas
Size: 240 square feet (22 square meters); 12 by 20 feet
Homeowners’ request. This was a new-build home for a couple relocating from Chicago.
Main feature. “The chandelier added so much to this room,” says designer Valeria Albino, who uses Houzz Pro business software to manage projects. “We sourced a fun table as well, with a solid oak surface and a live-edge design that showcases the wood’s inherent natural qualities.”
Other special features. Stylish wet bar. Vibrant abstract art. Walnut veneer sideboard with black corduroy wood detailing.
Designer tip. “Make sure you have the correct measurements for adding furniture, area rugs, artwork and lighting in a room,” Albino says. “I see all too often people putting the incorrect size of dining table or fixture in a room and it makes it look incomplete.”
“Uh-oh” moment. “Ask any designer currently in the industry and they will tell you all about the challenges we experience lately,” Albino says. “There were furniture delays, closing delays and many setbacks that we had to navigate during this time, including an ice storm in Texas. At one point, one of the trucking companies lost track of the dining table. We couldn’t locate it anywhere, so we worked with the vendor to locate another one. It was the last one we could find anywhere so we tracked it daily and held our breath that it arrived not damaged.”
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