There are so many options when it comes to redecorating a room, but one of my favourite trends at the moment is creating a stunning tablescape that really pops.
In this article, I’m sharing some of my favourite ideas to inspire you and help you create the perfect look for your own dining room.
1. Centerpiece Inspirations
A dining table centerpiece is usually the star of the show, but I love the idea that it doesn’t have to be stuck in one spot. Honestly, a longer tablescape or a little collection of items often looks even better on a rectangular or oblong table.
Using a fabric table runner is a great way to anchor your whole setup, and you can play with its length to match your table’s shape and your own style.
And you don’t have to limit yourself to just flowers or candles for your centerpiece. You could display a gorgeous glass platter or bowl, either on its own or filled with some fruit.
I also think a small sculpture can look amazing, or even a tray lined with cute little potted succulents. Whatever you decide on, just make sure it’s low enough that your guests can easily see and chat with each other across the table.
2. Embracing Rustic Charm
A farmhouse dining room has this amazing way of taking you back to simpler times, blending the best bits of the past and present.
I love that farmhouse decor can feel super casual or a bit more formal, all depending on the kinds of materials you bring into the space.
A farmhouse table should never feel stuffy, though. That’s the key. Try mixing some antique and repurposed pieces to put together a centerpiece that is totally farmhouse fabulous.
When it comes to farmhouse style, a distressed white table can be just as beautiful as a polished wood one. Don’t be afraid to mix and match chairs with different shapes and materials.
It all just adds to that comfortable and welcoming vibe. To soften up the space, you could hang a beaded chandelier but finish the metal with a brushed bronze paint or another weathered look.
3. DIY Decor Ideas
Giving your dining table a makeover doesn’t have to be expensive or a huge project. In fact, I find that table decor and centerpieces are some of the easiest things to DIY, even if you don’t have a lot of crafting experience.
Just take a look around your own home for things you can repurpose.
Glass pitchers can be turned into lovely vases, a collection of seashells can look stunning piled into an antique wooden bowl, and some fresh greenery clipped from your own shrubs makes for fast and totally free dining room decor.
Napkin rings are another super easy DIY essential for your dining room. For a shabby chic look, you could even make each napkin ring a different color.
You can watch the video below to see how to make some really inexpensive napkin rings using supplies from the dollar store.
4. Contemporary Flair
Minimalism is really the heart of modern dining room design. You’ll want to look for furniture that has those clean, crisp lines without any extra fussy details.
When you’re searching for a modern dining table and chair set, sleek and simple are definitely your keywords, but it’s totally okay to mix up textures and materials. A neutral color scheme overall is what really pulls modern decor together.
Midcentury modern is a style that always feels right at home in a modern space. A tulip style pedestal table paired with some Eames inspired dining chairs nails this look perfectly.
It works even in a small kitchen or tucked into the end of an open concept living room. Be a little bold and try using a color you don’t often see as a centerpiece, like a bright purple or chartreuse.
5. Enhancing Ambience
Nothing adds that warm, cozy ambiance to your dining room decor quite like candles. I love tucking candles and pretty candle holders anywhere I can, like on the table, shelves, or the sideboard.
A candle arrangement where each candle is a different height creates a gorgeously glowing centerpiece that’s just perfect for any special occasion.
Tall silver or glass candlestick holders are a classic dining room idea that can seriously fit into any decorating style. To give them a modern twist, you can tuck them into some green boughs laid over a linen table runner.
Just be sure to use unscented or lightly scented candles, because strong perfumes can make it hard to taste your food. Battery powered electric candles look almost like the real thing and solve both the fragrance problem and any fire risk.
6. Elegant and Chic
Glass dining tabletops seem to drift in and out of style, but they’ve pretty much remained a standard dining room feature over the years. People who are fans of glass tables usually lean toward a more modern dining room style.
Glass tops are fantastic as kitchen tables in smaller homes because their see-through quality helps the room feel so much bigger. While some glass tabletops are totally clear, you can find others made of smoky glass or glass with a hint of blue, rose, or green.
If you have some really gorgeous chairs, a glass dining table is such a good idea because it lets every single chair be more visible. A chandelier can also look stunning over a reflective glass table, especially if the chandelier itself has glass or crystal details.
7. Revamp Your Kitchen
A kitchen table is nearly always smaller than one in a dining room, unless you’re lucky enough to have a big country style kitchen. Because of that, your kitchen table decor should be a bit simpler than what you’d put on a formal dining table.
I’d say keep your centerpieces scaled to the table’s size, but definitely don’t shy away from using beautiful placemats, runners, and other pretty textiles.
In a really small space, a kitchen table might just be a little island with stools or a bar set up against a wall. If your kitchen table is truly tiny, don’t feel like you have to add a centerpiece.
Even a small table, though, can look great with some colorful placemats or a tablecloth that ties into your kitchen’s color scheme.
8. Ideas for Styling Your Breakfast Table
A breakfast table is usually a lot smaller than a standard dining table and is typically found in the kitchen rather than a formal dining room. So many older homes were built with those classic breakfast nooks, tucked into a kitchen corner with a banquette or bench seating instead of individual chairs.
In a small apartment or condo, you might only have space for a little breakfast table and chairs.
For a breakfast table, you’ll want to keep the decorations simple. A small glass vase with fresh flowers or a sweet potted plant are such cheerful, easy touches.
To make breakfast time a breeze, I think placing a turntable or lazy Susan in the middle is a game changer. That way, everyone in the family can easily reach the milk, sugar, and napkin holder.
9. Captivating Rustic Touch
Rustic decor often brings in more masculine elements, and that totally extends to the dining room. Furniture in this style usually has rougher textures, and you’ll see delicate linens swapped out for more durable materials like burlap and sisal.
The color palette is all about earth tones, with a big focus on warm wood finishes and a generally darker color scheme.
Candles, either on their own or inside metal lanterns, are perfect for making a rustic dining table feel warm and welcoming. An impressive, industrial style light fixture can be a really eye catching feature in a rustic dining area.
I love the look of a distressed wooden tabletop on metal legs to carry on that rustic industrial vibe, especially when it’s surrounded by dark metal chairs.
10. Creative Decorations
Holidays, parties, and special occasions are the perfect excuse for some festive dining table decorations. Lots of people enjoy updating their dining room decor with the seasons.
For example, you could display bunnies and Easter eggs in the spring, beautiful flowers in the summer, colorful leaves in the fall, and evergreen boughs with pinecones for the winter.
The Thanksgiving table is an amazing place to play around with pumpkins and gourds as accents for your centerpiece. In December, a tiny Christmas tree with battery powered lights makes such a great focal point in your dining area.
You can complete your Christmas table with some pine cone candle holders, your favorite holiday table linens, and other cherished Christmas decor.
