Contrast is key in this open dining room with mid-century elements. A deep gray paint color fills the top half of the walls around the room. The bottom half of the walls are composed of a multi-dimensional picture frame wainscoting that brightens up the space nicely. The mid-century table is surrounded by iron chairs that coordinate with not only the paint color, by the patterned diamond rug that decorates oaky hardwood floors. This is a great transitional l look if you want to go with something bold that isn’t going to overtake your walls.
30 Breathtaking Dining Room Ideas to Wow Your Guests
Written by
July 13, 2023
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If you are lucky enough to own a home that features a formal dining room, these breathtaking dining room ideas are curated specifically for you. Whether you take advantage of this eating space often or designate it for special holidays and events, the table and wall designs are of equal importance. This compilation of photographs is going to take you on a journey through many different aesthetics, some casual and some more elegant, that will inspire not only your dining room color scheme but also your style in tables, chairs, light fixtures, and wall hangings.
A dining room is a space for making memories and enjoying special moments with the important people in your life. Use this time to dive deep into an oasis of formal and informal dinettes that are sure to charm and captivate your future stylings.
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As Scandinavian style grows in popularity, interiors are being stripped down to showcase only the essential elements of a particular room. For example, the black-paned windows are exposed to highlight the simple two-tone table with wicker beech wood chairs in this dining room. There is no wall décor, area rugs, or drapes, just a table and a bar cart that stand under a mid-century modern Sputnik chandelier. This same idea can be procured in your space by selecting the mandatory elements of your home and letting them shine on their own.
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This modern farmhouse dining room prepared itself for fall with the placement of six woven placements on top of a cream runner, surrounding a basket filled with fall foliage and pumpkins. Above the two-tone table with white legs and a wooden top is a linear iron chandelier, a popular light fixture in modern farmhouse dining rooms and kitchens. This look is achieved by selecting neutral decorative pieces with wood and iron materials that resemble traditional American design.
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If a formal dining room isn’t your style, a functional eat-in kitchen like this is anything but compromising. A tall square table has bar-like chairs and a white bench surrounding the sides. Centered above the table is a wagon wheel chandelier with Edison bulbs that is the perfect complement to the bold tabletop. Three hanging portraits of light-colored feathers decorate the wall behind the table to assist in the incorporation of brighter neutral tones.
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Who doesn’t love a corner eat-in kitchen? This white pedestal table looks so chic next to four classic black Windsor chairs and a gray dining bench. The white beadboard half wall adds a nice textured detail underneath a black and white treeline portrait. In a neutral space like this, a vase full of faux greenery in the center of the table offers the best pop of color that will appear so organic against the other natural tones in the space.
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The cross-back chairs with linen coverings steal the show in this shabby chic dining room inspired by French country décor. A long rectangular pedestal table is decorated by a beige runner and DIY metal sphere that stands underneath an oversized candelabra chandelier. Against the wall is a standing antique clock, a great flea market find that ties in flawlessly with the remaining décor, proving that relics like these can completely change the look of a room.
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This dining room is a boho dream come true with a mid-century flair. A little more polished than traditional bohemian décor, the gold chairs with shag cushions beside the amazing sherpa accent chairs are truly giving life to this space. A neutral abstract art piece hangs off-centered on the wall beside a gold-potted interior tree, a perfect component if the architectural elements in your home, like this folding door, do not permit centered wall designs.
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Soft décor is the design of the moment in this bright and airy dining room that doubles as an office space. The white walls highlight the modern minimalist end table and petite corner plants. In the center of the room is a bold black circular table with natural woven chairs. A statement light fixture like this oversized white pendant lamp ensures that the eyes travel upward to adore the organic exposed beams that complete the entire modern look.
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Welcome to this bright dining area with a vaulted ceiling and oversized windows. A medium brown trestle base table is accompanied by black bucket seat chairs on real hardwood floors. On the back wall, a mid-century oak cabinet is elevated by the gallery wall that hangs above it. This is a great wall décor idea if you want to add a personal touch to your dining room while keeping your space modern.
10 of Ethereal Dining Room Ideas

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- thelittledovehome
Faux foliage atop two arched entryways sets the stage for this ethereal dining room. The space consists of a long pedestal table that could comfortably sit 10 guests. The seating arrangement includes eight rattan chairs made of dark wood situated on top of an ornate oriental rug. A magnificent antique-inspired oversized floor mirror stands off to the side of the room emphasizing the mid-century modern gold chandelier that hangs above the table.
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A rustic table with exposed industrial studs stands centered in this farmhouse dining room complemented by mid-century modern white bucket chairs. Though the décor is simple, the warmth in the room is accentuated by vintage wood-trim doors and original hardwoods that lay below the table. Bold details like these accentuate the character of a home that is being renovated to reflect a more modern design.
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Behold this country living dining area that highlights all of the beloved elements of American farmhouse décor. Gorgeous light blue walls surround a repurposed china cabinet with books, jars, clocks, and cake plates. In the center of the room is a two-toned table with chipped white chairs of various vintage designs, a tasteful way to incorporate functional individualized antiques in your home that will last through the ages.
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A crystal and gold chandelier hangs from a tray ceiling in a gray and white dining room. A large tree in a wicker planter sits in the corner in front of a framed mirror. A wooden dining room table rests in the center of the room and is surrounded by white upholstered chairs. White candlestick holders and a clear vase of green flowers decorate the table. A large farmhouse sign embellishes the wall
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The warmth that radiates from this modern circular tablescape is inspiring. Modern leather barrel back chairs surround a white pedestal table with gold and floral table settings. The entire seating arrangement sits atop an orange and black oriental rug, complementing the brown accent walls that are visible through the arched walkway to the living room. Though two separate rooms, the rich decorative themes in the living and dining areas are complementary which makes for a natural flow from room to room.
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Venture into a contemporary dining area that has been catapulted back in time with the use of black antique Windsor chairs, a staple in old cottage-like homes. They are the perfect selection to surround a minimalist light brown table for an aesthetic that is modern and traditional. The seating area stands on a printed area rug, just underneath a linear iron chandelier.
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The black paneled wall with chair rail is the focal point of this moody bohemian dining room with layers of natural textures. Black framed rattan chairs stand around a four-leg French dining table in a very light wood tone. Just above are two bohemian pendant lights made of straw that blend perfectly with the cream drapes lining the windows. If bohemian is your style but you want a more sophisticated look, pairing textured items with polished ones will help achieve that aesthetic.
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The glamorous setup of this dining and office space is made possible by the shag seat covers that elevate the gold-framed chairs. Situated beside white wainscotting with shadow boxes, the contemporary pedestal table is oh-so-chic underneath a circular gold framed mirror. For added sparkle, a standing mid-century lamp illuminates the dining area while highlighting the detailed red oriental rug with black accents that lies on the floor, an easy colorful addition for any space.
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There are subtle touches of multiple aesthetics happening in this dining room. From the farmhouse table to the French-inspired chandelier, to the shabby chic vibes that pour through the accent mirrors, curating a space you love comes from selecting pieces that speak to you no matter their design category. The neutral décor is brought to life by the blue and white area rug that inspires a lively and cozy family space.
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This dining room features a wooden dining table paired with sleek-black farmhouse chairs, and ceramic pots lining the table. Contrasting against the white stone walls is a wooden mantel decorated with potted plants and a horse head bust.
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Mimicking an airy French chateau, this regal dining set from Arhuas is stunning. The decorative table legs, rounded corners, and glazed tabletop is so elegant underneath a French country vintage chandelier. To accentuate the prominent designs of the room, the walls are decorated with shadowboxes underneath intricate crown molding, a feature that will make any dining room appear more regal and impressive.
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A historic harvest table sets the scene for the season in this Fall inspired dining room. The table consists of a barn door top with trestle legs beside horizontal slat chairs, all atop a textured rug. On the wall hangs a 19th-century portrait situated beneath a hunted buck head, a great design tip for those interested in more rustic or masculine décor.
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This gorgeous dining room is visible off of the front foyer of the home, making for a daunting decorative task. A gray and brown oriental rug is the focal point of this space, inspiring the long brown trestle table with black Windsor chairs, while woven brown shades hang on the windows. Selecting a statement rug like this is an ideal place to start when choosing a color theme that will inspire your interior vibe.
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Less is more in this neutral dining paradise. Subtle board and batten walls surround two black framed windows in this corner dining room. The coordinated linen chairs are an ideal accent to the table design that incorporates various wood types and stains, producing a beautifully textured tabletop that is unique to this table design. With a distinctive furniture piece like this, minimal wall and table décor is required, hence the very simple use of potted green hydrangeas and the Scandinavian-style gold chandelier hanging from the ceiling.
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Portraits hang on dark blue dining room walls with white wainscoting. A black wagon wheel chandelier is installed over books resting on a wooden table. Cushioned beige dining room chairs sit on a grey rug on the warm wood floor.
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There is nothing left to be desired in this thrifty dining room with vintage décor galore. Distressed window frames hang on the shiplap accent wall and antique Windsor chairs surround the chipped white table. If you’re interested in decorating the space beyond the table and its settings, consider incorporating an old dresser or hutch to display kitchen knick-knacks or other antiques that go along with the theme, such as the white letterbox and jars filled with rolling pins depicted in this photograph.
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The dining space in this 1930s fixer-upper showcases elements from multiple decades, creating an outstandingly eclectic room. To procure this same design, consider a traditional beadboard wall that was standard in many early 20th-century homes beside a mid-century table with seamless legs and tabletop. Include bucket chairs and modern light fixtures, and you’re on your way to a gorgeous family setting that pays homage to the best periods in design.
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This dining room exudes a cozy and organic interior style by combining simple furnishings and neutral-toned shades to provide an idyllic cottagecore lifestyle. Muted gold room lighting complements rustic wooden floors and décor to inspire a peaceful way of life.
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A contrasting black and white dining scene can be accomplished by combining black chairs with a white table, or vice versa. This designer selected a chipped white rectangular table with classic legs, four black chairs, and a short white bench with a fall-inspired throw and pillow. On the back wall of the room is a similarly chipped china cabinet with shelving to display knick knacks that blend in with the theme.
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A modernized version of the painting “A Girl with a Pearl Earring” inspires the décor in this country living dining area. The transitional style of the space comes through the ultramodern candelabra light fixture that extends from a traditional ceiling medallion. An ode to old country design, painting your window trim in a bold color like this Copley gray will accentuate the bright open windows that pour in natural light, minimizing the need for window coverings. The color presents itself once more in the built-in corner cabinet that showcases antique dishes.
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Signage on shiplap is a staple complementary décor piece for a farmhouse-themed dining space. This dining room also features a rectangular table with a pedestal base, distressed metal chairs, and wicker lounge seats. Achieve this look by playing with seating of different materials. Bonus if you can find chairs at a flea market or antique shop for the perfect rustic look.