Throw out everything you know about dowdy dining rooms and get ready to create a space that feels like your own. Experiment with rugs, lighting, and furniture to create the dining room of your dreams. Whether you’re working with what you already have or designing a completely new dining room, get inspired with our 11 easy dining room ideas.

Work with What You Have

Dress It Up with a Patterned Rug

Pair a chair and table setting with a patterned rug to dress up the space. Try to mimic the rug in your space by repeating colors from your rug in your furniture – in this image, the chairs are black and the table is light-colored, while the walls and other furniture are simple. The table setting and rug stand out because the rest of the room is simple. Don’t be afraid to experiment with more vibrant patterns; just try to keep the rest of the room simple or coordinated with the carpet to avoid major clashing.

Decorate with a Table Runner

For a traditional look, use a table runner to elevate or switch up the style of your dining room table. Pick a table runner that complements other colors in the room or that matches the season or holiday for your next big dinner party. You can switch out table runners through the season as you please – a table runner makes it easy to switch up the style of your dining room frequently. Some table runners run lengthwise down the center of your table, while others are round or oval and can be used to frame a decorative bowl or vase in the center of your table.

Draw Eyes to Daring Wall Accents

Draw eyes upward in your dining room with a wall accent that makes a grand statement. You can try out a metal wall piece, a painting, a large mirror, or a gallery wall of family photos. If your intent is to draw attention to your wall decor, keep the rest of the room simple. Try matching the material of your table and chairs to the wall art’s frame to unify the space.

Incorporate Greenery

Relaxing greenery can be a welcome sight in a dining room, which is often a formal and traditional space. Plants are proven to improve mood and relieve stress – they will lessen the formality of your dining room and put guests at ease. Greenery will also add color to your dining room. Try pairing plants with cream, white, black, and neutral colors to let your plants shine. Choose planters that match other accents found in your dining room.

Make a Statement with a Ceiling Light

Use a ceiling light fixture to make a statement in your dining room. Ty a minimalist metal light fixture to tie together a contemporary or industrial theme or an elegant chandelier for a traditional or glam look. A ceiling light can also help define your living room in an open space shared with a kitchen. Place a carpet under your table setting and a light fixture above to separate the dining space from the rest of the room. You can also install dimmable lights to control the ambiance of your dining room for special meals.

Redo the Whole Space

Stick to White

A dining room with white furniture will open up your space, making the whole room feel larger with a pristine and clean look. To avoid washing out your entire space, add neutral, wood, or natural accents like a white table with wooden legs, wooden wall art, potted plants, and neutral lamp shades. This can be especially helpful if you choose to add all-white furniture like the white wicker chairs in the dining room idea above. Keep in mind that a white dining room will need to be cleaned frequently because dust and stains will show up easily.

Mix High & Low Tables

If your dining room is in the same open space as your kitchen, try placing your dining room table near a countertop with stools. The stools will provide extra seating close to the dining table – if you like to host, this option will let you have a stylish kids and adult table setup already built into your home. To tie the two tables together, try to find matching or complementary chairs and bar stools.

Go Contemporary with Wood

Create a simple, contemporary look with a dining table, wood chairs, and side tables. Decorate with light, airy colors like cream, gray, and peach to avoid overwhelming the light wood furniture. Dark wood looks good with light gray, cream, and deep blue accents. This style looks great in a room that gets lots of natural light – light will illuminate the neutral color palette and open up the space. In a space that does not get light, mix in some bright accents through place settings and wall decor to avoid washing out the space.

Center the Room with a Round Table

Draw eyes to the center of the room with a round table. A round table is conducive to conversation and will help your guests enjoy the company of everyone at the table, unlike a rectangular table that tends to separate the group. Pair the round table with a round carpet to create a strong circular focal point, or soften the focus with a square or rectangular carpet.

Try Chrome

Try a chrome theme in your dining room for a modern and unexpected look. Center the focus of the room with a chrome-detailed table and side table, and look for chrome decor like a mirror, vase, or wall accent. Chrome is a distinctive material – if you choose to use chrome elements, you must commit and use them throughout the room. A single chrome end table would look out of place as the only chrome accent in a room. While you should make sure to fully incorporate the chrome theme, try to mix in pops of color with chairs, a carpet, or light fixtures to soften the space. Plush, colorful seat cushions contrast and ease the sharpness of the chrome. Choose furniture pieces that are not entirely chrome, but make use of chrome accents. This may be a glass table with chrome legs or chairs with chrome backs.