Interior Design Stories

Personal stories and tips from an interior designer

Personal stories and tips from an interior designer

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Decorating Dining Rooms

decorating dining room with minimal decor, leather dining chairs, circular stone table, horizontal droplight, polished concrete floor and ceiling

Off the bat, I’d like to point out that our dining area is barely decorated. It has a solid wood dining table, which is much older than me, covered in a cream-colored tablecloth with ornate red trim, and a black, minimalist mirror hung on the wall. That’s it.

This might be our setup because it is together with the kitchen, and it is always a busy space. Moving decor constantly is not ideal and could be tiresome. We equate a well-decorated dining area to a clean and organized one. This might be the case for us because of our lifestyle, but decorating dining rooms might translate differently for you.

minimalist dining area in wood plank floor, white walls, wood rectangular dining table, mid-century modern wood and leather dining chairs, dark green drop light. handmade pottery, abstract artwork, potted plant decorate the space

It can be challenging to decorate a dining room, as it’s easy for decorations to get in the way of preparing a meal, but it can be important if you’re always entertaining. The goal is not to overload the space and select pieces that have a big impact.

Consider the flow of traffic as you arrange your furniture. Leave enough space between the table and the walls, and make sure there’s enough space for people to move around the room comfortably.

There are several considerations when selecting furniture and decor for dining rooms. These are the things I look for based on the various residential and restaurant projects I’ve designed.

TABLE AND CHAIR LEGS

Consider how the dining table legs and chair will match. I have encountered instances where the dining chairs couldn’t fit under the table due to the table legs getting in the way. This is usually the case when the tables and chairs are from different retailers.

contemporary dining area with white walls and wood floors, minimalist dining table, brown leather armchair, gray area rug, spherical glass droplight, gray drapes

Back then, the carpenter’s table was a trend, and people tried to use it as a dining table, but it didn’t work out. The a-shaped legs and shelf block the diner’s legs from getting under the table.

The dining chair armrests are another thing to think about. Make sure the armrests can fit under the table. You’d want chairs that can be tucked under the table in a small space.

Benches could be nice, but I wouldn’t use them. Benches add a play in height and break the monotony of similar-looking dining chairs, but it could be difficult to sit on them. First, it might be uncomfortable since it typically does not have a backrest. Second, our bodies are different and people might need to be closer to the table, and some farther, and the bench won’t be able to accommodate both.

SEAT DIMENSIONS

Although this is my experience in restaurant design, the learnings from this mistake apply to home dining setup.

A rookie mistake I made back then was to make the banquette seats deep, thinking it would be comfy as the goal is to make customers linger to encourage them to order more. During one of our customer journey observations in the restaurant, we assessed that having a deep seat is comfy if you’re sitting, but people have to scoot and uncomfortably hunch over the dining table to reach the food.

decorating dining rooms with floral wallpaper, potted plant, abstract artwork, sculptural candle holder, and vase with fresh plants, mid-century modern wood chairs, white marble dining table, fabric banquette seat

Wallpaper from Wallpaper Direct (not to scale)

Since then, we’ve carried out further studies and adjustments to the depth of the seats to make it easier for people to eat.

In homes, even though the majority of chairs on the market are standardized, select chair dimensions that meet your needs. When sourcing for chairs, try out the display and mimic how you eat to get a feel of your dining experience.

DINING TABLE SURFACES

Another thing to consider is the dining table material. It’s nice to have a natural wood table top, especially those with visible grains. Yet it is prone to stains. The most common problem is the annoying white spots in wood caused by hot surfaces being placed on top of it.

minimalist industrial style dining area with cement walls, gray epoxy floor, wood and steel dining table, solid wood chairs, built-in wood buffet cabinet, mirrorized wall panels

The usual options are wood, glass, and stone, but they’ve got their issues. Due to their durability and strength, quartz and sintered stone are considered the better options, although they are more expensive.

Some dining table surfaces sold on the market have a protective coating for stains and scratches but wear out over time. Before choosing a table, assess your cooking and eating habits.

DECORATING DINING ROOMS WITH AREA RUG

decorating dining rooms with colorful floral wallpaper, flowers on vase, pastel-colored abstract artwork, wood mid-century dining table and fabric upholstered chairs, red area rug,

Wallpaper from Wallpaper Direct (not to scale)

Similar to my previous posts, decorating dining rooms with an area rug is great for creating zones in an open layout plan and adding warmth. But it can be tedious to clean if used in the dining room. If you’re not a very clean eater, spills are unavoidable. Choose rugs that are easier to maintain, such as synthetic fiber rugs like polypropylene. Nylon and cotton can be options as well.

CENTERPIECE

An accent light fixture, a simple sculptural bowl with fresh fruits, or a handmade vase with fresh flowers might be enough as the centerpiece. Yes, we are talking about decorating dining rooms, but sometimes keeping it simple is the way to go.

decorating dining rooms with classic decor such as blown glass droplights, vase of fresh flowers, minimalist artwork, hardbound books. low back fully upholstered dining chairs in teal color, varnished square dining table, carpet floors, and wood trims

Select decorative objects that are multi-functional if you wish to add accessories. Like this salt and pepper shakers:

When we have fruits that can be stored at room temperature, we place them in a handmade wooden bowl and place them on the table. It’s a nice touch to have the contrast of wood and colorful fruits in our sparsely decorated dining room.

DECORATING DINING ROOMS WITH LIGHTING FIXTURES

Light can alter your perception of the food in front of you. Downlights in natural light are sufficient to illuminate the space and the table.

decorating dining rooms with a gold sculptural droplight over a geometric black wood dining table, brown leather dining chairs, green limewash wall, gray cement floor. sepia abstract artwok on orange bench

You can use statement drop lights or chandeliers if you want to add more personality. Observe enough space between the table and the fixture so it doesn’t create shadows. Another option is to use compact battery-operated table lamps to create a theatrical atmosphere and highlight food.

TABLESCAPING

Even though tablescaping is not my forte, here are some considerations.

Take into account the size of your space, as well as the number of people you wish to accommodate. If you’re hosting a dinner party, you might want to consider a larger table, but if you’re in a smaller space, consider a round table or a leaf extension table.

classic dining room interior design with white walls in wood moulding, wood herringbone floor, classic wood table, bent rattan chairs, arched window, milk glass pendant light

The decor and dinnerware should fit the tabletop and have enough space to move things. Select a centerpiece setup that is not too high. You still want to see and talk to the person across from you. One of the things I am not fond of is a beautifully decorated table where people keep hitting stuff and can’t properly eat.

Use a serving tray or a buffet cabinet to put food and drinks on if you still want to fill your table with decorations. Consider using a bar cart to store glasses, bottles, and cocktail tools, and add some decorative elements such as fresh flowers or a decorative tray.

decorating dining room in mid-century modern style with neutral color scheme, round wood dining table, cantilevered dining chairs, wood buffet cabinet, milk glass globe pendant light, potted plant
dramatic dining area with built-in arched booth seating in brown leather, black stone tabletop, solid wood dining chairs in dark wood stain, polished black flooring, deep green wallpaper accent wall

Ultimately, the key to decorating dining rooms is to make it a space that feels comfortable, welcoming, and reflective of your style.