The dining room is coming back in a big way, but many people aren’t really sure what to do with this space. Today, I’ve put together some great dining room decor ideas to fit any budget. Decorating your dining room – whether you go for a more casual look or take it up to formal – doesn’t have to break the bank! 

Follow these fabulous tips to create a dining area that’s big on style.

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Find the Right Furniture

Your dining room furniture is rarely only ever used for eating. The area tends to become a gathering place, where kids do homework after school or where baking cools on the weekend. As such, you want to pick just the right set.

The most important thing you have to keep in mind when shopping for dining room furniture is the size. It’s so easy to fall in love with the “perfect” set and it ends up being too big or too small for the space. Trust me on this, I speak from experience…

You must make sure there’s room for the chairs to actually be able to pull out without hitting the walls, and that there is room to walk around. You don’t want to be trying to set the table and only be able to access it from one side!

On the flip side, a table that’s too small creates an awkward vibe in the room, leaving everyone feeling slightly off. You also end up with that weird echo-y sound, and who wants that?

A longer, rectangular table does well in a space of the same dimensions. Look at a round table for a nook to maximize the space without having awkward corners.

Lastly, remember to think about additional items you might need in the space, like a china cabinet, buffet, or bar space. With all of this in mind, ensure you measure and plan out your room before shopping! There are some great room planning apps out there to help you out.

Transform Your Furniture

If you aren’t buying a brand-new set, you can go DIY – either on your current set or one you’ve found a bargain on. If you’re planning to hit the thrift stores, look for solid wood pieces that are well-constructed and functional. Find those hidden treasures in pieces that may, at first glance, appear to be lacklustre.

Dining chairs can easily be reupholstered with fabric colour-coordinated to match your existing or new decor. For example, a brightly coloured floral seat can add new life to a Queen Anne chair frame. Check out this video on how you can upcycle a dining room chair seat:

For a more formal look, cover seats in a rich fabric like midnight or cerulean blue velvet, heavily embroidered brocade, or intricately textured tapestry. 

You can also paint your chairs – mix and match your perfect paint could with the exact fabric you’ve fallen in love with. This video uses chalk paint on the furniture and I love the finished look (I’m happy she left the back open!):

DIY gives you a ton of options, and you don’t have to be a master carpenter to get a new-to-you dining room set. Just make sure you use a durable fabric.

Don’t Like Match-y? Choose an Eclectic Mix

If you like the vintage look, a matching dining room set can be difficult to find. Ditch the desire to match and select interesting pieces that create an eclectic mix that’s totally you!

Why not use four different styled chairs all painted in the same colour to create a unique dining set? High gloss black enamel chairs will look chic and glamorous – perfect for a formal dinner on a dime.

Or find some Windsor chairs – they’ll have the same overall style but each with their own unique design. You can play with colours for paint and add a cushioned seat; this idea can add some fun but still give you a united theme. 

You could also do a bench seat/banquette seating in a super fun or bright fabric on one side, making it a stand-out piece. Then add chairs to the other side of the table in a complimentary colour. Everything doesn’t need to match, just tied together so you avoid the messy look.

Wallpaper Makes it Perfect

Wallpaper is one of the least expensive ways to take your dining room walls from boring to indescribably beautiful! Wallpaper comes in a myriad of textures, colours and designs that bring instant style. Choose paper finishes in sumptuous satin, grosgrain, smooth silk, velvet flocking, stately plaid or a bold floral. 

If you’re going bold with your furniture and fabric choices, use a neutral coloured paper with a texture. If you’re a fan of wainscoting or the chair rail look, don’t fret! These decor elements create a wonderful frame for wallpaper., 

Go Bold With Lighting

The dining room is the PERFECT place for a statement lighting piece.

Some fabulous dining room decor ideas for your lighting include:

• A brass chandelier adds a romantic Parisian touch
• An oversized pendant allows you to play with the scale in the room
• A trio of pendant lights looks amazing over a long rectangular table

If that’s not your thing, another idea to look at would be sconces. A sconce is mounted on the wall, allowing you to highlight specific areas of your dining room, like a gallery wall (more on that below). I think these iron & barnwood finish sconces are perfect if you’re going for an antique look.

Recessed lighting is inside the ceiling, and it’s a good option if you want your lighting to be more subtle, rather than a focal point of the room.

Focus on Flooring

The flooring in your dining area may not seem like a big deal, but it’s the setting for all of your other decor. 

This doesn’t mean your floors have to be boring! The main thing to keep in mind is you want them to last, which is why you should pick as durable of a material as possible.

But before you decide on the style or colour you want for your flooring, consider the elements that will tie the look of your dining room together. You want to choose something that pairs nicely with your table and accent wall if you have one. This way you’ll avoid clashing patterns or a floor that’s too dark for the room. Ask a flooring specialist for advice on the options that will work best based on the options you like.

Bring the Outdoors In

You can save big bucks by using less expensive patio furnishings indoors. Transform a rattan patio set by giving the chair and table frames a metallic facelift. Lightly sand rattan frames and apply one or two coats of metallic silver or gold paint for a luxurious look your guests will love. Metallic paint adds an air of formality and one-of-a-kind high-end style to otherwise mundane outdoor furnishings.

Another option is to do the indoor-outdoor look with folding glass doors. An extending table can increase your table space, giving you the option for a larger dinner party. Using a cohesive colour scheme ties the two areas together.

Add in Your Accessories

Accent your dining room with accessories with reflective surfaces that add a special touch. Strategically placed mirrors, lamps, placemats, candle holders, and wall hangings in silver, gold or copper add textural interest and eye appeal to create a formal setting fit for a king or queen. 

You can dress up your table with a beautiful centrepiece and table runner, or an eye-catching tablecloth. You can switch these out seasonally and for holidays too, which gives you the opportunity to tweak the feel of the room without spending a lot.

Clever Candles

Nothing creates a formal air like candles. Craft a luminous focal point by grouping one-colour candles of all shapes and sizes. Imagine the impact of an assortment of white candles of every size and shape illuminating a formal dinner by candlelight.

If you have a fireplace in your dining area, place the candles on your mantle and then double the visual impact by placing a large mirror behind your candle grouping for a simply exquisite look!

Artistic Flair

Create a gallery wall in your dining room. Use a set of prints, whether that be food, plants – whatever you like. This set of botanical prints has images on both sides, letting you pick exactly what you want to show.

If it’s a more casual dining room, display your favourite family photos! You can also go with mirrors, which help a smaller place look larger and help reflect light throughout.

Whatever you choose for your gallery, make sure to use the same frame style for each piece to keep it looking elegant.

Wonderful Windows

Don’t forget about window coverings! While your main furniture pieces set the stage, the treatments you choose for the window play a very important part.

Figure out what kind of look you want to go for. Fun and floaty? Playful and pretty? Dark and dramatic? You don’t want your windows to overpower the room, they’re meant to be complementary and enhance the decor you’ve already got.

Save Big at Thrift Shops and Markets

Local and online flea markets, thrift stores, and yard sales can yield a treasure trove of high-end, budget-friendly buys on furnishings and accessories for your dining room.

Decorating your dining room doesn’t have to be expensive. Flea market finds, re-purposing outdoor furnishings, papering or painting walls and ceilings with custom touches all make a huge difference. By adding reflective surfaces and a creative use of candles, you increase the ambiance of the room. These are just some of the ways you can make dining at your home an unforgettable delight for your guests.

Originally published Oct 10, 2017; updated Jan 20, 2023

Author: Sereena S.

Mom of two, wife to one, and a dog lover. Although cats can be okay too, but only sometimes...