Many of us have experienced some of the best times around the dining room table. It’s where we come together with family and friends to share meals and swap stories, often late into the night. While you can technically do this anywhere, lounging on comfortable furniture against a welcoming backdrop of designer decor feels much cozier. Here are some dining room design ideas on how to turn your dining room into an inviting space that promises good times.
Deciding on a Dining Room Layout
Traditionally, houses had a dedicated dining room separated from the kitchen and living area by solid walls. The same is not always true today, where open-plan living reigns supreme. This floor plan gives you more flexibility in placing your dining room furniture, but it can make comparing dining room layout ideas trickier.
The first thing to consider is circulation. Good dining room design always leaves enough room for people to move around comfortably. If you have ample space, leaving room for walking isn’t a problem, but making people feel cozy can be. We recommend dividing bigger rooms into smaller activity zones to make them feel more intimate. For example, placing buffet servers against two perpendicular walls creates a cozy dining nook for a small round table.
Small living room-dining room combo layout ideas include tucking a narrow rectangular table behind a sofa or pairing a round table with upholstered chairs that match your couch.
How To Choose a Dining Table
When choosing furniture for your dining room, always consider your lifestyle. The showpieces you see in home decor stores may look exciting, but they aren’t all a good match for everyone. Some are suited for frequent entertaining while others are for everyday use. Always consider how you plan to use the furniture before buying it.
Five points to consider when choosing a dining table:
1. Size
Does it offer enough space for your family and typical dinner party guests? Will it fit comfortably in the room? Always leave at least 24 inches between dining room furniture and the walls or other obstacles.
2. Table Shape
Round tables are best for smaller spaces and often feel cozier. Choose a table that matches your general furniture style. For example, modern dining room furniture usually features simple designs without excessive decoration.
3. Furniture Material
The best dining room furniture ideas for families with children feature durable tables that are easy to clean. Glass, wood veneer, or melamine are all good options. The material should also speak to your interior design style — for example, choosing wicker to match boho home decor.
4. Seating
Dining room furniture sets that come with matching chairs offer a traditional look. If you’re after something more contemporary, consider mix-and-match seating. For example, pair a dining bench with stools or use upholstered armchairs to play with color.
5. Price
If you’re decorating a dining room on a budget, always do quality checks to ensure you purchase affordable, durable furniture. Examine the finish and construction, test for stability, and look for imperfections in the materials before accepting the sale price. You can also buy secondhand, especially if you have vintage home decor.
Selecting a Cozy Dining Room Color Scheme
Dining room trends and color scheme fashions come and go. However, if you want to make the room feel cozy, colors with a warm undertone will always be in style. Terracotta, maroon, peach, coral, mauve, yellow, teal, beige, and khaki are just a few examples.
You can bring these colors into the room through home decor, such as centerpieces, rugs, or furniture. There are generally two ways of generating dining room color schemes: 1) working with shades of the same color or 2) using contrasting colors.
For the first method, you might select yellow as your color family and then choose table runners, wall art, and upholstery with a shade of yellow. For method two, you could choose yellow and blue as contrasting colors and mix and match your decor and furniture to highlight both hues.
Dining Room Lighting
Lighting is key to cozy dining room interior design. While most prefer not to eat in the dark, dimmer lights are perfectly acceptable for after-dinner drinks and late-night chats. One of the best ways to make your dining room feel warm and welcoming is to layer your lighting with downlights, a chandelier, table lamps, and candles.
Luxury modern dining room design often relies on statement chandeliers centered above the table. Glass and metal are top material choices if you want this style. Look for home decor ideas incorporating mirrors or reflective surfaces to give the walls and furniture a warm, inviting glow.
The Finishing Touches: Dining Room Decor
An empty dining table in a bare room is hardly very welcoming. Even if you prefer minimalist or modern home decor, adding some design accents is necessary to make the space feel complete.
Start by choosing a rug for the room, ensuring it’s large enough for the table and every chair (when occupied). A rug instantly makes the space feel warmer and provides opportunities to play with patterns and colors.
Next, work on your tablescape. That means investing in table runners, glassware, napkins, and candles that ramp up the cozy on dinner party nights. Of course, you don’t have to set the table like this every day, but you should at least give it a simple centerpiece. You can even switch up your tablescape in spring and fall — home decor can be seasonal!
Shop Home Decor at Home Zone
Home Zone offers contemporary dining room furniture and decor made from high-quality materials built to last. Contact us for more dining room design ideas or visit one of our home furnishing stores near you to shop our range in person.
