Skip to content

Top Navigation

Better Homes & Gardens
Better Homes & Gardens
  • Gardening
  • Home Improvement Ideas
  • Cleaning and Organizing
  • Recipes and Cooking
  • Decorating
  • Holidays & Entertaining
  • Rooms
  • Shopping

Profile Menu

Join Now

Account

  • Join Now
  • My Profile
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletter
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Help
  • Logout

More

  • Give a Gift Subscription
  • BH&G Books this link opens in a new tab
My Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • My Profile
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletter
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Help
  • Logout

More

  • Give a Gift Subscription
  • BH&G Books this link opens in a new tab
Login
Subscribe
Pin

Explore Better Homes & Gardens

Better Homes & Gardens
Better Homes & Gardens
  • Explore

    Explore

    • The Only Weed Identification Guide You'll Ever Need: 33 Common Weedy Plants to Watch For

      The Only Weed Identification Guide You'll Ever Need: 33 Common Weedy Plants to Watch For

      Don't let these pesky plants crash your garden party! The first step is to know your enemy. Then you'll know the best way to deal with your weed problem. Read More
    • 6 Small Steps You Can Take Today to Get Organized for Good

      6 Small Steps You Can Take Today to Get Organized for Good

      A professional organizer offers advice on how to tidy up your home without feeling overwhelmed. Read More
    • 5 Anti-Inflammatory Ingredients to Add to Your Smoothie for a Healthy Boost

      5 Anti-Inflammatory Ingredients to Add to Your Smoothie for a Healthy Boost

      Anti-inflammatory smoothies do exist! Instead of blending in boatloads of sugar and artificial ingredients, try these smoothies for inflammation that are packed with ingredients that may help lower your risk for chronic diseases including cancer, heart disease, depression, and more. Read More
  • Gardening

    Gardening

    See All Gardening
    4 DIY Seed-Starting Pots You Can Make With Items You Already Have

    4 DIY Seed-Starting Pots You Can Make With Items You Already Have

    Upcycle old newspapers, junk mail, and other waste paper to make these easy, eco-friendly containers you can use to sprout new plants for your garden.
    • Flowers
    • Houseplants
    • Plant Encyclopedia
    • Garden Pests
    • Trees, Shrubs & Vines
    • Caring for Your Yard
    • Edible Gardening
    • Garden Design
    • Gardening By Region
    • Landscaping
  • Home Improvement Ideas

    Home Improvement Ideas

    See All Home Improvement Ideas
    What Style Is Your House? The 10 Most Popular American House Styles

    What Style Is Your House? The 10 Most Popular American House Styles

    In a world full of so many different house styles, it can be a little challenging just to narrow down your own home's architectural style, let alone edit the list down to your favorite style or understand the distinctions characteristic to each house style. We'll show you the 10 most popular American house styles, including Cape Cod, French Country, Colonial, Victorian, Tudor, Craftsman, Cottage, Mediterranean, ranch-style, and Contemporary.
    • Home Exteriors
    • DIY Home Electrical Tips & Guides
    • Outdoor Structures
    • Home Remodeling
    • Plumbing Installations & Repairs
    • Remodeling Advice & Planning
    • Flooring
    • Lighting
    • Decks
    • Porches
  • Cleaning and Organizing

    Cleaning and Organizing

    See All Cleaning and Organizing
    A Whole-House Cleaning Schedule You'll Actually Stick To

    A Whole-House Cleaning Schedule You'll Actually Stick To

    Cleaning your home doesn't have to be a daunting, time-consuming chore. The key to managing household duties quickly and efficiently is to design an easy-to-follow routine that includes all the most important tasks. Follow these step-by-step instructions for creating a customized whole-home cleaning schedule.
    • House Cleaning
    • Laundry & Linens
    • Cleaning Tips
    • Closet Organization
    • Organization Tips
    • Kitchen Storage Organization
  • Recipes and Cooking

    Recipes and Cooking

    See All Recipes and Cooking
    21 Baking Essentials Every Home Cook Needs (Plus 16 Nice-to-Haves)

    21 Baking Essentials Every Home Cook Needs (Plus 16 Nice-to-Haves)

    Whether you're a beginning baker just starting out or a master chef looking to declutter, we'll help you set up a beginner's baking essentials kit with 21 tools. For anyone who already owns these handy baking tools, this list may finally provide the motivation you need to get rid of that soufflé dish you never use. Building your baking equipment inventory starts here.
    • How to Cook
    • Chicken Recipes
    • Desserts & Baking
    • Fish Recipes
    • Beef Recipes
    • Healthy Recipes
    • Breakfast and Brunch Recipes
    • Lunch
    • Dinner Recipes & Meal Ideas
    • Ethnic Food
  • Decorating

    Decorating

    See All Decorating
    7 Interior Design Trends Everyone Will Be Trying in 2021, According to Experts

    7 Interior Design Trends Everyone Will Be Trying in 2021, According to Experts

    Designers weigh in on the most popular decorating styles, colors, and materials you can look forward to in the coming year.
    • Choosing Color
    • Expert Decorating Advice
    • Fireplace Design Ideas
    • Do It Yourself Magazine
    • Window Treatments
    • Styles & Decor
    • Interior Painting
    • Home Makeovers
    • Small-Space Decorating
    • Traditional Home
  • Holidays & Entertaining

    Holidays & Entertaining

    See All Holidays & Entertaining
    International Women's Day: The Powerful Story Behind This 111-Year-Old Tradition

    International Women's Day: The Powerful Story Behind This 111-Year-Old Tradition

    What began as a small movement, has grown into a global holiday dedicated to celebrating the strong women in our communities.
    • Valentine's Day
    • Mother's Day
    • Easter
    • Father's Day
    • Fourth of July/Memorial Day
    • Halloween
    • Thanksgiving
    • Christmas
    • New Year's
    • Juneteenth
    • Hanukkah
  • Rooms

    Rooms

    See All Rooms
    Living Room Furniture Layout Ideas

    Living Room Furniture Layout Ideas

    Get tips for arranging living room furniture in a way that creates a comfortable and welcoming environment and makes the most of your space.
    • Bedroom Decorating and Design Ideas
    • Bathroom Decorating and Design Ideas
    • Kitchen Decorating and Design Ideas
    • Living Room Decorating and Design
    • Dining Room
    • Home Office
    • Kid's Rooms
    • Baby Nursery
  • Shopping

Profile Menu

Subscribe this link opens in a new tab
Join Now

Account

  • Join Now
  • My Profile
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletter
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Help
  • Logout

More

  • Give a Gift Subscription
  • BH&G Books this link opens in a new tab
My Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • My Profile
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletter
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Help
  • Logout

More

  • Give a Gift Subscription
  • BH&G Books this link opens in a new tab
Login
Sweepstakes

Follow Us

  1. BHG.com
  2. Rooms
  3. Dining Room
  4. Dining Room Styles & Themes
  5. Fresh Dining Room Decorating Ideas

Fresh Dining Room Decorating Ideas

Caitlin Sole headshot
By Caitlin Sole Updated May 13, 2019
Skip gallery slides
Save Pin FB
White table with green chairs
Experimenting with various patterns, colors, layouts, and lighting can give your dining room a fresh, brand-new feel.
Start Slideshow

1 of 19

Save Pin FB
Tweet Email Send Text Message

Monochromatic Style

wood dining room sliding doors into reading room
Credit: Dera Burreson

Pick a theme and run with it. That's what the owners of this dining room did when they chose to cover their walls in wood paneling. A mid-century modern table and matching chairs provide a nonchalant look to the space, and wood floors keep it warm and inviting.

1 of 19

Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 19

Save Pin FB
Tweet Email Send Text Message

Glam Dining

natural dining room with glass and rattan table
Credit: Dane Tashima

If you prefer fancy restaurants over more casual affairs, turn your dining room into a dream dining experience. Load up on gold accents to create that glamour feel of a 5-star establishment. An extra large area rug brings added warmth to the space.

2 of 19

3 of 19

Save Pin FB
Tweet Email Send Text Message

Vibrant Designs

kitchen dining area

Blue and yellow is a common color combination for kitchens and adjacent breakfast nooks, but a little variety can spice up this standby scheme. In this nook, fire-orange leather chairs and bold printed pillows contrast the pale yellow walls and blue accents and bring a burst of energy to the space. The blue medallion-print window valances and the angular design of the table base also add vibrancy to the space.

3 of 19

Advertisement

4 of 19

Save Pin FB
Tweet Email Send Text Message

Vivid Accent

White table with green chairs

A bright, bold color can bring a cheery vibe to a neutral space or a room that just needs a little facelift. This dining room is brought to life with vivid green chairs upholstered with a colorful floral print. Consider updating existing chairs with paint and fabric, or scour for secondhand finds that you can give the same sort of treatment.

4 of 19

5 of 19

Save Pin FB
Tweet Email Send Text Message

Style Shift

large sunny banquette with windows

Dining room sets, with a table and matching chairs, provide uniform style. But mixing and matching asserts personalized flair. Pair a traditional pedestal table with modern seating, such as the clear acrylic chairs in this fresh dining nook. A oil-rubbed bronze chandelier solidifies the room's traditional ties, while the brightly colored pillows bring out the flair.

5 of 19

6 of 19

Save Pin FB
Tweet Email Send Text Message

Try Tile

dining

Wood and carpet are common dining room flooring options, but taking a cue from Spanish casas and Italian villas, where tile flooring prevails, can be just as appropriate. Here, the flooring continues from the adjacent kitchen for a seamless flow, and the shiny finish of the black arabesque tiles reflects light, keeping the room from seeming too dark. Wooden chairs add a warm touch to the room, and white walls bring a modern touch.

6 of 19

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

7 of 19

Save Pin FB
Tweet Email Send Text Message

Bring In a Bench

dining

Adding a bench to a dining room table, rather than more chairs, provides extra room for seating for a large group. Perfect for entertaining, a bench allows more people to sit together at the table and is especially perfect for children. Modern, curved chairs mirror the curved ceiling above and give the space a contemporary look. The neutral and wood tones color scheme accentuate the room’s simplicity and unique architecture.

7 of 19

8 of 19

Save Pin FB
Tweet Email Send Text Message

Comfort in Darkness

dining

Instead of going light and bright, aim for dark and cozy. Use rich colors and deep, saturated finishes, such as walnut. The foundation and scheme of this dining area is dark and solid. The stone wall, wood floor, and wood-paneled ceiling bring a dark tone to the space and also bring varying hard textures. Cushioned chairs and a love seat bring a sense of comfort and a softer feel to the room, but the muted gray and blue upholstery maintains the room's commitment to cozy.

8 of 19

9 of 19

Save Pin FB
Tweet Email Send Text Message

Light and Dark

dining

Another way to mix and match in a dining room is to pair ethereal elements with solid silhouettes. Large windows fill this dining room with an abundance of natural light, giving it an airy and open feel. White paneled walls and a white ceiling, along with the floor-length powder blue curtains, accentuate the light and make the room seem larger. Clear gray chairs give a unique reflection of the light and contribute to the airy tone in the room. The dark wood table and its curvy base contrast the light aspects throughout the room, and the upholstered wooden chairs at the head of the table add a classic, traditional touch. An antique brass-and-crystal chandelier culminates the dark-light dichotomy and crowns the room with grace.

9 of 19

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

10 of 19

Save Pin FB
Tweet Email Send Text Message

Sleek and Solid

dining

Good lighting is essential in a dining room because it sets the mood. Draw attention to the mood with a standout light fixture, whether it's an antique chandelier dripping with crystals or a feat of engineering, such as the tubular wire light fixture in this dining room. A gray color palette and solid, simple furniture and decor complete the modern look.

10 of 19

11 of 19

Save Pin FB
Tweet Email Send Text Message

A Personal Touch

dining

Let your dining room symbolize memories of meals you've shared with people you love and incorporate heirlooms and family treasures. It can be a collection of photos, a treasured china set, or even a single piece of furniture, such as an inherited Windsor chair that can seamlessly fall in line with a collected group of chairs. Personality and personal style come into play in this warm, inviting dining room. Different types of chairs give the room an unexpected punch of variety and contribute to the room’s unique feel. Wood tones with green accents and neutral walls give the space a comfortable and outdoorsy tone.

11 of 19

12 of 19

Save Pin FB
Tweet Email Send Text Message

Incorporate It All

traditional dining room

Play up your dining room's strengths and embrace all of its details. This dining room uses color, texture, pattern and architecture to create style at its finest.  The white wainscoting and neutral color scheme play off the black window frames for a chic look. Yellow upholstery on the chairs brings a subtle touch of color and gives the room a more pleasant, inviting tone. The branch mural on the wall is a unique accent that adds character and a sweet touch to the space.

12 of 19

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

13 of 19

Save Pin FB
Tweet Email Send Text Message

Space Sophistication

101951871

Even if your dining room is just a space off the kitchen, don't be afraid to give it sophisticated style. In this dining space, handsome, substantial furniture and colors set the space apart and make it stand out against the simple white kitchen. The bold yellow print on the back of the chairs contrasts the navy cushions and is a burst of color against the dark wood floor and white walls.

13 of 19

14 of 19

Save Pin FB
Tweet Email Send Text Message

Unique Emphasis

modern dining table

For a unique approach to color scheming, lay a foundation of monochromatic neutral, using the same tone for the walls, floors, and window treatments, then sneak in a surprise with a pop or two of color. In this dining room, sandy beige is invigorated with peacock blue seat cushions and table accessories, as well as a sunset-hue painting. Combining warm and cool colors with natural light gives this dining room a unique yet inviting vibe.

14 of 19

15 of 19

Save Pin FB
Tweet Email Send Text Message

Supersized

Breakfast nook

Make a statement by going overscale. Playful use of scale is a key component in many successful contemporary spaces. An oversize metal drum shade combined with a chest-high buffet rise to the occasion in this dining area. Both pieces comfortably lower the room's tall ceilings while creating drama. A rug peppered with large-scale flowers also does its part to make the midsize table set live large.

15 of 19

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

16 of 19

Save Pin FB
Tweet Email Send Text Message

See-Through Simplicity

Airy dining room

For a clean sweep, forgo the traditional rug under the dining room table in favor of letting gleaming hardwood floors shine. This open approach allows the eye to travel freely through this eating area. The result: a room that feels open and airy. Simple slipper chairs and a centerpiece of see-through glass bottles amplify the effect.

16 of 19

17 of 19

Save Pin FB
Tweet Email Send Text Message

Fresh and Clean

Slipcovered slipper chairs

Instead of infusing color, embrace white as a refreshing palette cleanser in your dining room. This bright, simple dining room is given a fresh and clean look with its white color scheme and pale green accents. The white walls, ceiling, windows, and light fixture all blend together to give the room a bright, crisp foundation. White slipcovers continue the neutral theme and can easily be tossed in the wash. The shapes of the chandelier and the beams on the ceiling create shadows that add depth to the space. Green accents bring energy to the room, and the pastel shade continues the fresh look.

17 of 19

18 of 19

Save Pin FB
Tweet Email Send Text Message

Various Tones

high-contrast breakfast nook with green accent

Don't be afraid to create a varied mix in your dining room. From black to white, gray to tan, tile and carpet, this dining room is made of differing tones and materials that come together to create a cohesive look. The white table juxtaposes itself with a round top and rectangular base. Wooden chairs along with a slate gray couch provide different options for seating -- one a more traditional, practical option; the other a more comfortable, modern option. Floor-length, white, flowing curtains add a light, airy feel to the room.

18 of 19

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

19 of 19

Save Pin FB
Tweet Email Send Text Message

Vibrant Pop

peach room

In a nook or bay with limited wall space and lots of windows, take the plunge and apply a vibrant color to the walls. The "pow" color won't come off as harsh, since it's confined to small areas. In this nook, melon-orange walls are paced with white framed windows. Light blue valances with a complementary orange print bring a cool sense while still tying in the orange color scheme. Wire chairs with orange seat covers are a modern touch and contrast the solid-black wooden table.

19 of 19

Replay gallery

Share the Gallery

Pinterest Facebook

Up Next

By Caitlin Sole

    Share the Gallery

    Pinterest Facebook
    Trending Videos
    Advertisement
    Skip slide summaries

    Everything in This Slideshow

    Advertisement

    View All

    1 of 19 Monochromatic Style
    2 of 19 Glam Dining
    3 of 19 Vibrant Designs
    4 of 19 Vivid Accent
    5 of 19 Style Shift
    6 of 19 Try Tile
    7 of 19 Bring In a Bench
    8 of 19 Comfort in Darkness
    9 of 19 Light and Dark
    10 of 19 Sleek and Solid
    11 of 19 A Personal Touch
    12 of 19 Incorporate It All
    13 of 19 Space Sophistication
    14 of 19 Unique Emphasis
    15 of 19 Supersized
    16 of 19 See-Through Simplicity
    17 of 19 Fresh and Clean
    18 of 19 Various Tones
    19 of 19 Vibrant Pop

    Share & More

    Tweet Email Send Text Message
    • Better Homes & Gardens BHG Logo Products at Walmart
    • Better Homes & Gardens BHG Real Estate Real Estate Services
    Better Homes & Gardens

    Magazines & More

    Learn More

    • About Us
    • Subscribe this link opens in a new tab
    • Books from Better Homes & Gardens
    • Help
    • Advertise
    • Content Licensing
    • Accolades this link opens in a new tab

    Connect

    Subscribe to Our Newsletter
    Sign Up
    MeredithBH&G is part of the Meredith Home Group. © Copyright 2022 Meredith Corporation. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policythis link opens in a new tab Terms of Servicethis link opens in a new tab Ad Choicesthis link opens in a new tab California Do Not Sellthis link opens a modal window Web Accessibilitythis link opens in a new tab
    © Copyright Better Homes & Gardens. All rights reserved. Printed from https://www.bhg.com

    Sign in

    View image

    Fresh Dining Room Decorating Ideas
    this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines.