65 Best Dining Room Decor Ideas

Lighting fixtures, paint colors and tabletop decor fit for every interior, from modern to rustic.

A space dedicated to good food and great conversation, the dining room is an essential part of any family home — whether you have a small dining room that's outfitted with a cozy banquette or a formal design with a sophisticated dining set. From simple upgrades to full-on renovations, we've rounded up gorgeous dining room decor ideas that make meal time more enjoyable.

Considering you'll spend hours at a time gathered with friends and family in the dining room, the best decorative pieces should tell a story and strike up conversation. For that reason, accessorize a dining room with statement lighting, stylish rugs, lively wall art (plus DIY wall decor) and striking wallpaper patterns. As for dressing your dining table, you can't go wrong with luxurious candles, impressive centerpieces and fresh greens. If you're looking for a budget-friendly DIY project, you can create a gallery wall, revamp old furniture or give your walls a fresh coat of paint (note: these colors are trending).

There are so many directions to take, whether you're partial to the farmhouse aesthetic, crafting sleek spaces or you're hoping to bring some of the best 2023 design trends into your interior (hint: warm woods, gold accents and statement rugs are popular this year). Since most people swap their tabletop decor as the seasons change, we've sprinkled in ideas for Thanksgiving place settings, cozy holiday table arrangements and DIY centerpiece ideas that are fitting for spring.

Accumulate vintage pieces to make a space feel unique, whether it's with furniture (like dining chairs and a hutch) or decorative items (like vases and a rug). "I love that antiques tell a story," says designer Ashley Montgomery.

A black-and-white palette doesn't have to be boring. Warm wood tones and an oversized patterned rug from Ruggable complement dramatic black wall paneling.

Here, designer Arlyn Hernandez starts with a bold dining bench and Farrow & Ball's Inchyra Blue for the walls. Then she brings the space together with light leather dining chairs, a textured rug and wood dining table from Article.

See more at Style by Emily Henderson »

With an oak dining set and two oversized pendants, this Honolulu home embraces natural materials and a coastal feel.

SHOP PENDANTS

Use your dining chairs to bring in color (we love the red), then add other complementary hues with an area rug and artwork.

The bright kitchen nook in a folk Victorian farmhouse features white wood paneling and a custom quartz-composite tabletop that matches the kitchen counter.

RELATED: Charming Breakfast Nook Ideas That’ll Cozy Up Any Small Space in Your Kitchen

"Take your tablescape to the next level by repurposing lanterns into custom vases for a creative centerpiece," says HomeGoods Style Expert Jenny Reimold, who fills these rattan lanterns with a mix of faux florals.

SHOP RATTEN LANTERNS

Defined by gold accents, vibrant hues and oversized artwork, this eclectic interior proves more is more.

SHOP VASES

Go for a dining room table that takes center stage, like this historic one that's made from decades-old wood and was lightly sanded by artisans.

See more at Boxwood Avenue »

Rather than a traditional hutch, use a rolling bar cart to show off glassware, collectibles and entertaining essentials.

RELATED: How to Design a Playful Yet Sophisticated Dining Room Made for Everyday Living

The small dining space in this traditional Greenwich home opens to the backyard, giving it a bright and nature-inspired feel. Woven chairs add texture, while potted plants make the perfect centerpiece.

SHOP WOVEN CHAIRS

Play up white shiplap walls with black-and-white art, then layer striped accessories like a runner and tablecloth for a nautical feel.

When used in small doses, a citrus-inspired pop of color can elevate an interior. "It's like a punchy-colored throw pillow for the wall," says interior designer Jackie Terrell.

Not only does interior designer Jean Lin of Colony go for a globe pendant light, she also hung a planter from the ceiling. Two green vases complement the green of the fresh leaves.

SHOP HANGING PLANTER

Don't shy away from experimenting with bright hues. The console's daring fuchsia shade and pastel blue dining chairs steal the show in this trendy space.

SHOP FUCHSIA PAINT

Give your dining area a dose of Parisian style with a brass candelabra chandelier and bistro-style chairs.

SHOP BISTRO CHAIRS

An assortment of Windsor chairs bring color and personality to this spacious dining room in Dowagiac, Michigan.

Here, blogger Katie Bowling keeps a dining room's original chandelier and wainscoting, but dresses it up with a vintage-inspired gallery wall and striped dining chair covers.

Navy blue walls stand out against doses of white in this Ginny Macdonald-designed dining room.

SHOP NAVY PAINT

Classic spindle chairs act as a counterpoint to an oval dining table in a light wood finish.

Monique Valeris is the senior home editor for Good Housekeeping, where she oversees the brand's home decorating coverage across print and digital. Prior to joining GH in 2020, she was the digital editor at Elle Decor. In her current role, she explores everything from design trends and home tours to lifestyle product recommendations, including writing her monthly column, "What's in My Cart."

Alyssa Gautieri (she/her) is the associate lifestyle editor for Good Housekeeping, where she covers all things home and interior design. Prior to joining GH in 2022, she wrote for publications including ELLE Decor, Chairish, BobVila.com, Unique Homes Magazine and LODGING Magazine, in addition to crafting product copy for home brands like BrylaneHome and VIGO Industries.

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