Dining room design ideas, inspiration & pictures l homify

What makes the perfect dining room?

The notion of a ‘perfect’ dining room is actually quite misleading, as what suits one person isn’t going to suit everyone. If you have a large family and enjoy entertaining guests, the dining room will probably be a focal point in your home, whereas if you have a smaller home and like to maintain an informal, cosy atmosphere, it’s likely your dining room will be an extension of your kitchen. Whether you like to embrace the sleek, modern style, or prefer to stick to traditional, classical designs, at homify, there are plenty of suitable dining room design ideas on offer to help you create a dining room which is perfectly tailored to your tastes and requirements. At homify, we have many dining room images you can browse from.

Dining room ideas & inspiration

Everybody needs a bit of inspiration now and again, especially when it comes to decorating the house. It can be overwhelming when you’re faced with such a wide variety of available designs and styles, but if you take a look at all the options out there, you’ll soon realise what should be included in your perfect dining room, and you can be sure that you’re getting the design right. homify makes it easy to browse through hundreds of dining room ideas, from chic and modern dining room designs to eclectic dining room decor and classical dining furniture. There’s bound to be something which catches your eye, and thanks to the clever ideabook function, you can save the example for later and come back to it whenever you like. 

How do I design my dining room?

When it comes to designing the dining room, you need to give plenty of thought to the layout, and how all of the dining furniture will work in the context of the room. It’s important to take measurements of the room so that you can guarantee the furniture you choose will fit perfectly. Furniture which is even just a little bit too big can look clunky and awkward, whereas furniture which is too small for the room will make it appear sparse. You should also consider which colours to use: larger rooms can carry bold or darker colours, whereas small dining rooms will benefit from a neutral colour scheme. In addition to the colours, lighting should also be a key consideration. Utilise natural light by placing the dining room table beneath or near a window, and opt for spotlights or wall lights which will disperse light throughout the room, rather than focusing it all on one area. 

What to watch out for when designing my dining room

It’s easy to get carried away when designing and decorating the dining room, but remember: less is more! Avoid crowding the room with furniture and ornaments, and stay away from too many bold colours unless you’re aiming to achieve a quirky, eclectic look. It’s likely you want your dining room to be a place where family and friends come together to share a nice meal and perhaps a few glasses of wine, so make it a cosy and welcoming space that facilitates this. There should be a balance between style and functionality—you want your dining room to look good, but you also want your guests to be comfortable.

Which colours for my dining room?

As mentioned, it’s best to avoid mixing too many bold colours in the dining room. Browse through homify’s dining room images for some colour ideas. If you want to make a statement, consider designating one wall as the feature wall and painting it in a bold shade, leaving the other walls white or cream. Dining room decor should help create a warm and welcoming atmosphere, however, and a few restrained flourishes of pastels or primary colours will help to achieve this. For a classical look, warm tones can be introduced through oak furniture or polished wooden cabinets. Dining room tables can also be decorated in colourful and patterned tablecloths to inject some personality into the room: when you want to tone it down, you can simply remove the tablecloth. Rugs are also a good way to introduce some colour without going too overboard—which colour you choose is entirely up to you.   

Tips for decorating my dining room

The best advice would be to stay true to your own tastes and your personal style, whilst keeping in mind the general rules about the size and positioning of the dining furniture, the moods that can be achieved with various colours, and the importance of the correct lighting. You can implement any style you like: modern, scandinavian, industrial or classical—the possibilities for what you can do are only limited by your own imagination! Kick your creativity into gear by browsing through all the dining room ideas available on homify, as well as utilising other sources such as design magazines, and even drawing inspiration from the dining rooms of friends and family members. If you do this, you’ll enter the design process fully prepared with a clear idea of the look you want to achieve, which will make decorating a stress-free and much more enjoyable experience. 

What to watch out for when buying dining room furniture

When choosing your dining furniture, you should always consider the design of the dining room as a whole. Make sure the style of any piece of furniture you buy is the same, or at least complements, the style of existing furniture. Also consider how the dining furniture will look in the room in terms of size, and make sure the measurements are appropriate. One single piece shouldn’t dominate the whole room, although dining room tables do tend to be the focal point. With that in mind, don’t rush into buying a dining room table, or settling for the cheapest option. Shop around to find the perfect one for you, and view it as an investment, as a good quality table should last a lifetime! 

Decorating ideas for small dining rooms 

Though you might think it’s trickier decorating a small dining room, small dining rooms actually tend to be better resolved than larger ones, as a savvier and more innovative approach to design is required. There are plenty of small dining room ideas on the homify platform to give you some inspiration, from clever storage solutions to folding dining room tables and chairs. You can even find multipurpose dining furniture that also doubles up as storage. Light colours and a minimalist approach work best in a small dining room, as they make the room look lighter and brighter, and create an illusion of space. You should avoid busy patterns or heavy materials, as these will always have the opposite effect. 

Which style for my dining room? 

How to: Country style dining rooms 

A country style dining room incorporates traditional furniture, usually made from oak or sturdy timber, as well as traditional white cupboards or cabinets, and wooden flooring. The walls are usually white or cream, and the overall colour scheme should be neutral, so avoid bright or dark colours. Add a few soft furnishings such as curtains and upholstery, opting for floral or vintage style prints, and you will achieve the perfect country style dining room in no time!

How to: Modern dining rooms 

Modern dining rooms often have a minimalist design, with only a few focal pieces of furniture occupying the space. It’s good to play around with texture and materials in a modern dining room. For example, you could choose a glass dining table, colourful chairs, and strip back the floorboards for a layered and tactile effect. However, don’t mix too many different design elements. The overall design should be sleek and complementary. Keep the walls white, with only a few modern prints or pieces of art that fit in with the rest of the dining room decor.

How to: Eclectic style dining rooms 

Dining room design ideas for fans of the eclectic style are endless, because when it comes to eclectic interior design, anything goes! Give your imagination free reign and let your creativity dictate the design scheme. Introduce animal prints with floral patterns, choose mismatched retro furniture and combine it with ultra modern dining room decor, and break the boundaries by painting the room in clashing colours. Eclectic style dining rooms are for the bold and adventurous, and really say a lot about the homeowner!

How to: Scandinavian style dining rooms 

Be inspired by Scandinavian design, and embrace the laid-back, fresh and natural look so commonly associated with this style. In a Scandinavian style dining room, natural hardwoods should be combined with white walls and simple but stylish furnishings. A few pops of colour here and there will bring the design to life, but keep things to a minimum for maximum effect.

How to: Minimalist dining rooms 

Minimalist dining rooms follow strict design guidelines. Pastel colours or too many bold shades are a no-go, and intricate patterns or vintage style prints are to be avoided. Minimalist dining room decor should be simple and clean: think exposed brick walls, well integrated storage systems, white walls and white or glass furniture. For a perfect minimalist dining room, the decor should be kept simple and elegant.