35+ Ways to Refresh Your Dining Room

You know that room you only use during the holidays? These fun decorating ideas from HGTV Magazine will lure you there all year long.

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February 21, 2023

By: Noelle Paredes

From: HGTV Magazine

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Deck Out Your Dining Room

Pull up a chair and get inspired by these designer dining rooms straight from the pages of HGTV Magazine. Whether your style is modern or traditional, farmhouse or funky, we have all the design ideas you need to make your dining room your new favorite spot.

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From: HGTV Magazine

Lots of Pop

The second she laid eyes on this peel-and-stick wallpaper on Instagram, homeowner Kate Eckert in Brick, New Jersey, knew it was “the one.” “I was redoing our dining room on a budget by surrounding the table and chairs and stone fireplace with vibrant color,” says Kate. She added blue facets with teal art and a rug, then hung coral curtains for contrast. Boston terrier Charlotte is a cute black-and-white touch.

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Raawii Strom Vase

Litton Lane Stool

Starbust Tile

All the Drama

The statement-making chandelier, smoky ghost chairs and a brass-trimmed table from Anthropologie layer on the impact in this modern dining room. The chevron accent wall draws eyes to the tall ceilings.

see more photos: A Custom-Made Home With Chic Style

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Smoke Ghost Chair

A Traditional-Meets-Modern Space

Built-in cabinets and leaded windows make this the most traditional room in the house. For contrast, homeowner Elizabeth Rees brought in contemporary furniture and fixtures, including a mod table from Crate & Barrel, orange velvet chairs from CB2 and a globe chandelier from West Elm.

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Azalea Brown Chair

Walton Dining Table

Beautiful Blooms Abound

Flowery wallpaper from Osborne & Little and abundant natural light make this room feel like the most stylish greenhouse. And that chandelier: Can you say “statement piece?" The teal rattan chairs tie to the hits of color in the wallpaper. They’re from Urban Outfitters.

see more photos: Tour a Glam Home Filled With Colors and Patterns

From: HGTV Magazine

Eclectic Accents

White walls couldn't be farther from bland in this Arizona dining room. A bold brass orbit chandelier has modern appeal, while the Windsor chairs — a Facebook Marketplace find — feature unique detailing that add charm. Abstract designs in the rug and the wall art cover the room with color.

see more photos: 32 Cool Design Tricks to Steal From an Arizona Home

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Abstract Art

Comfortable and Chic

This light and airy dining room includes cozy elements like a reclaimed Douglas fir table and weathered metal medical cabinet, which serves as a help-yourself bar. The clean-lined Room & Board leather chairs are simple and chic, letting the stunning floor-to-ceiling windows steal the show.

see more photos: A Los Angeles Home That Epitomizes California Cool

From: HGTV Magazine

Modern Classic

Some decorating traditions are made to be broken, and this dining room in a historic house in Philadelphia proves it. Designer Mona Ross Berman mixed styles — from charming flowery walls to a mod sculptural chandelier — “that make it personal and unexpected,” she says. Playful winks: the orange trim on the custom curtains and valances and a bright green bar cart.

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Waverly Wallpaper

Robert Abbey Lamp

Nosh Chair

Casual Goes Chic

Nobody has to choose one or the other — think balance, like designer Corine Maggio did in this California home. She paired a laid-back wood bench and yellow mesh chairs with sleek black ones. The simple white board-and-batten contrasts with the dramatic navy border (for a similar color, try Compass Blue by Behr). The oversized pendant has stylish airiness, while the dapper vintage tennis print pulls everything together. Says Corine, “The room feels like a vacation from everyday life.”

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Hot Mesh Chair

Kirch & Co. Pendant Light

Eclectic Accents

How to freshen up classic board-and-batten paneling: Paint all of it, as well as the window casings, dark gray (Porpoise by Sherwin-Williams). The statement head chairs, scored at a vintage store, go beautifully with the color. “They seem grand but not stuffy or formal,” says homeowner Sonal Patel-Cochran. Instead of traditional fabric curtains, Lisa hung fringy macramé ones from RH Teen for an unexpected hit of texture. The rug is from Nourison.

see more photos: Tour an Unforgettably Bold 5-Bedroom Home in Atlanta

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Beautiful Bench Seating

“The built-in bench seats 10, and, not surprisingly, that was a huge selling point for us,” says homeowner and designer Reem Hassaballa. Even though this isn't a formal dining room, the trestle table by RH and cane chairs from Lulu and Georgia lean traditional; the assortment of patterned pillows have contemporary flair. Paintings from a consignment store (on the right) and Target art (on the left) personalize the newly renovated space. A four-arm chandelier by Currey & Company is a sleek take on candelabra style.

see more photos: Tour a Centenarian Home Filled With Charm

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Halet Pillow Cover

Crewel Shapes Pillow

Old Meets New

"I like pairing old with new," says Tamara Day, host of Bargain Mansions. In her dining room, she mixed a vintage table and chairs (from her husband’s parents) with a new buffet from her shop, Growing Days Home, and a modern chandelier by Kichler. Fun fact: The Thibaut wallpaper was left over from another project.

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Stockholm Sideboard

Matthews Baluster Lamp

Make It Muted

Doing muted hues instead of more saturated tones helped homeowner Kathryn O'Neal-Dunham pull off the pattern-on-pattern look: dusty purple and gray color-block fabric by Zak + Fox on the dining chairs with a custom striped rug below. Blush grass-cloth wallpaper by Phillip Jeffries and a painting by artist John Beardman bring all the colors together.

see more photos: A Slew of Hues Make This Renovated Farmhouse Pop

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Fresh Farmhouse Feels

The rustic table, made from reclaimed Douglas fir, keeps this California dining room casual. So does the mix-and-match seating: The blue chairs are covered in wipe-clean Duralee faux leather, and the RH wingback chairs are slipcovered in machine-washable linen. Another rustic touch is the distressed-iron chandelier. The linen drapes with a batik-style print (by Katie Leede & Company) bookend the large three-pane window.

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Mix It Up

Designer Danielle Fennoy mixed in vintage and modern pieces that worked with this Brooklyn brownstone's original details. In the dining room, modern mustard chairs from Blu Dot play off the golden hue of the original pine floors. The antique barrister bookcase (a gift from a family member) feels perfectly at home in this 125-year-old setting, but so does the contemporary globe chandelier.

see more photos: Tour a 125-Year-Old Brownstone In Brooklyn

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Decade Chair

Abstract to the Max

You might think that a busy wallpaper would clash with artwork, but here it’s the perfect backdrop for an abstract painting by Eric Dever. The wallpaper pattern may be bold, but the two-tone palette allows the bright, multihued art to shine.

see more photos: Tour a Brooklyn Home With Wall-to-Wall Wallpaper

From: HGTV Magazine

Florida Meets Farmhouse

Homeowner Christie Walker’s Fixer Upper dreams came true in this coastal-meets-country dining room. Shiplap walls and a large farmhouse table were a must. For a breezy pairing, designer Lauren Leonard chose rattan chairs by Gabby and custom cushions with chartreuse welting. The light blue rug (by Ballard Designs) breaks up all the wood in the room, and a pair of patterned lamps from Layla Grayce and barn art from One Kings Lane bring in more color. “The look is as homey as I’d hoped for,” says Christie.

see more photos: This Coastal Kitchen Has Total Farmhouse Vibes

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Vivian Table Lamp

Contemporary Country

Rustic style got reinvigorated in this Catonsville, Maryland, dining room. While the huge reclaimed-wood trestle table may be pure country, designer Laura Hodges edged it up with grays and black and graphic motifs: the end chairs’ striped fabric, the sideboard’s nail-head design, the rug’s diamond shapes. It still has that old American soul, she says, “but the whole space feels modern.”

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Conical Drum Pendant

Windsor Chair

Loloi Akina Area Rug

Pattern in High Places

Contrary to its name, wallpaper isn't just for walls. Homeowner and designer Kelly Finley added this cool prism pattern (by Cole & Son) to the ceiling to level up her dining room design. The gold statement light by Arteriors helps bring the eye upward to appreciate this daring move.

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Sigrid Dining Table

Layla Chandelier

Scaling Up

“I’d rather fill a room with a few things that pack a big punch than clutter up a space with lots of little pieces,” says homeowner Carissa Fox. For this high-traffic dining area, she chose a supersized, peeled-and-chipped blue sideboard by Four Hands that spans the length of the wall and a 5'-plus-diameter mirror to hang above it. The 25-inch-diameter pendants and the concrete-top table are from RH. For a touch of playfulness, Carissa brought in a pair of cheeky ceramic bust vases from Floral Art in Los Angeles.

see more photos: A Texas Home With a Touch of Fun in Every Room

From: HGTV Magazine

Colorful and Classic

Tons of timeless design ideas, like the upholstered dining chairs, chinoiserie wallpaper and a china cabinet with a pagoda top, come together to create a traditional look that's totally fun, not stuffy. Homeowner Whitney Rainbolt especially loves the peppy color palette. "Even though there are pops of color all over the house, this is my big pop room, and it’s my favorite!" she says.

see more photos: Tour a Dazzling Four Bedroom Home in Oklahoma City

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Zebra Large Scale Fabric

Family-Friendly Design

A family gathering place was homeowner Kara Cronk’s top priority, so she ordered this Thos. Moser cherry-wood table before anything else. It's extendable to 120 inches thanks to two self-storing leaves, so it's the perfect place for post-soccer pizzas, birthday celebrations and weekend breakfasts. Rounding out the room, a trio of prints by Allyson Brown hang on the geometric Pierre Frey wallpaper.

see more photos: This California Home Is Packed With Playful Patterns

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Minimal, But Not Boring

White walls give this dining room an airy canvas for quirky accents. Homeowner Christine Kilpatrick was inspired to buy the big rhino photograph (by David Yarrow) after seeing the photographer’s work on a safari trip in Kenya. The black-and-white spotted rug by Kate Spade New York paired well with it and has inherent oomph to bring to the space. Bright flowers on the curtains (by Osborne & Little) add another layer of interest.

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Maxed-Out Style

Unlike some done-up dining rooms, this one's a regular dinner spot. Says homeowner and designer Jewel Marlowe, “It’s meant for making memories with family and friends.” Jungle-themed paper by Milton & King is an infusion of lively color. "You can’t take life too seriously when there are elephants and giraffes all over your walls," says Jewel.

see more photos: Tour a Fancy and Family-Friendly Colonial Filled With Style

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A Homey Mix

Homeowners Walt and Dana Lukken wanted to add historic charm to their new-build townhouse in Washington, DC. Cue the brick archway and weathered wide-plank hickory floorboards. They layered in furnishings with classic vibes, too. The oval distressed-oak table and X-back chairs, all from RH, take their design cues from the 19th century. A washed-wood Currey & Company chandelier, green lamps from Pottery Barn and a gold mirror add warmth.

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Mesmerizing Design

Layers of patterns from the chevron wallpaper by Schumacher, abstract prints from Four Hands Art Studio and the slatted table base have an almost hypnotic effect. The variation in scale makes the mix interesting instead of dizzying. Breaking up the pattern play: white molded plastic chairs from Industry West and gold touches in the chandelier and bar cart.

see more photos: Before and After: How HGTV Magazine Transformed a Couple's First House

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Possini Euro Chandelier

Schumacher Ikat Wallpaper

Dining Room Meets Playroom

The dining room may be made for meals, but it’s also a prime playspace in this 1,400-square-foot bungalow. The storage units along the wall are filled with toys, and daughters Jade and Isla build fairy houses and magical cities here. “We didn’t want them playing in their rooms behind closed doors — this creates coziness,” says homeowner Nicole Wear. “For us, downsizing freed up family time.”

see more photos: Tour a 1,400-Square-Foot Portland Bungalow With Cali-Scandinavian Vibes

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Super Glammed Up

“The homeowners are all about coming together as a family and wanted loungy vibes,” says designer Veronica Solomon of this Texas dining room. She put in the posh with hot-pink velvet chairs (they have kid-friendly, stain-resistant fabric), whimsical wallpaper with lush colors and golden touches. The result is gorgeous and inviting, without a trace of special-occasion only. “It’s the most regularly used room in the house!” says Veronica.

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Sunburst Wall Mirror

Velvet Chair

Dauphine Table Lamp

Orange Crush

There are plenty of ways to make a space colorful without painting the walls a saturated hue. In this midcentury-style dining room, designer Ellen Nystrom gave the whole space an amber glow with upholstered chairs and Thibaut wallpaper on the ceiling in the same fiery shade.

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From: HGTV Magazine

Unexpected Seating Arrangement

This maximalist dining room takes mix-and-match seating to another level. The leather head chairs are paired with traditional Louis chairs on one side and a colorful settee on the other. “Matching chairs bore me,” says homeowner and designer Veronica Solomon. “An eclectic mix has personality, and the settee lets me relax while I eat.”

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From: HGTV Magazine

Multiple Patterns, Two Colors

Mixing patterns is much easier with a pared-down palette. In this print-happy dining room, homeowner and designer Gretchen Black mixed patterned wallpaper, window shades and seat cushions seamlessly in a blue-and-white scheme.

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Brown, But Make It Bold

Brown grass cloth may not be the expected choice in a color-lover's house, but in this dining room, the timeless wall treatment is a grounding backdrop to the pops of hot pink and navy. “The key is to trust yourself,” says homeowner and home decor shop owner Katie Kime. “If you like it and your eye says it works, then it does.”

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Small Room, Big Impact

The dining room in this 1,600-square-foot house is on the smaller side, but clever design ideas make it feel anything but cramped. Wallpaper on a ceiling draws the eye up to make the room appear taller. Plus, adding a pass-through to the kitchen brings light to both rooms.

see more photos: Tour a Charming 1,600-Square-Foot Cottage in Rocky River, Ohio

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Drum Pendant

Black, White and Boho

Homeowner and designer Laura Thurman made the tray ceiling in her dining room a focal point by painting the inset black and installing a white medallion for contrast. The angular light fixture (by Stilnovo) hanging from it nearly spans the length of the table to give the room extra drama. A concrete-look table is edgy, especially paired with black wishbone chairs. Arranged on the wall, a bunch of woven baskets morphs into art.

see more photos: Tour a California-Cool Dutch Colonial With Mid-Century Style

From: HGTV Magazine

Traditional Meets Trendy

This New Jersey dining room has plenty of classic elements — like grass-cloth wallpaper, a built-in hutch and patterned drapes — but trendy touches balance them out. The marble-top tulip table (a Craigslist score) keeps things fresh, and the funky acrylic chandelier adds a pop of personality.

see more photos: Tour a 100-Year-Old Home With an Eclectic Twist

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America Luxury Modern Chandelier

Marble Dining Table

Unique Finds

Ghost chairs from Overstock let the dining table’s cool, aged green base stand out. “It’s a machinist table from the 1930s that a local department store displayed perfumes on,” says homeowner Stephanie Freeman. “It wasn’t for sale, but I kept going back until the salesperson gave in.” Another one-of-a-kind find is the vintage console. Hanging bold art above it makes it a total conversation-starter.

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DIY It

“We are not formal dining room people, so I wanted fun and playful,” says homeowner and master crafter Rebecca Propes. She made a plain mirror look like a fab vintage piece with ornate wood appliqués and gold wax, revived a thrifted sideboard with Sunset Pink paint by Behr and hung soaring-birds wallpaper from Hygge & West. Propping up art on the sideboard makes rotating pieces a no-brainer, and also helps the space feel casual. She brought in fun cow-print chairs from World Market and a globe chandelier by Mitzi as the finishing touches.

see more photos: Tour a Crafty, DIY-Decorated Home in Arizona

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Splashy Summer Style

It's summer all year long in this Florida dining room. Leafy drapes by Dorothy Draper frame the lush greenery outside for a stunning view. Rattan chairs from Eclectic Goods and a tassel chandelier from Anthropologie give the room quintessential beach-house charm. The papier-mâché orchids on the table (by Stray Dog Designs) are always in bloom.

see more photos: A Colorful Florida Home That Makes a Splash

From: HGTV Magazine

Fun and Fabulous

“I like kitsch and whimsy and color, and I was looking to have all of that,” says Josh Thomas of his California abode. For the dining room, designer Caitlin Murray chose a fab combo with a side of camp: a mod table from Eurway, vintage velvet chairs from Chairish and a zebra-print rug from Etsy.

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From: HGTV Magazine

Charming Details

Homeowner and designer Abigail Braden infused tons of character into this dining room. A custom Parsons table paired with a graphic rug by Nordic Knots and a globe chandelier from West Elm sets a chic scene. The paintings on the walls add color, warmth and charm. Plus, they have nostalgic appeal — the art was made by Abigail's grandma.

see more photos: 21 Fun Decorating Details to Steal From a Colorful Connecticut Home

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Fall Shadows Fall Art

A Happy Mashup

When homeowner Melissa Abdine coped with a chronic health issue, it occurred to her that livening up her family’s home in Austin, Texas, was the remedy she needed. “As I started to feel better, I wanted that reflected in my surroundings,” she says. The juxtaposition of leafy wallpaper by Justina Blakeney and pink and orange elements in the rug and table runner encourages happy meals. Blending antique and new chairs adds to the relaxed flair.

see more photos: Tour a Funky Texas Cottage Filled With Color

From: HGTV Magazine