These once-formal rooms are having a resurgence.
A lot of things have led to the return of the formal dining room: closed floor plans, nostalgic design, “grandmotherly” styles, and a love of hosting, of course. While these gathering spaces have always been around, since they were really last “in style,” plenty has changed. Bar additions, mismatched chairs, transportive murals, sculptural tables, and a focus on functionality are just a few aspects that make today’s dining rooms different from those that were popular years ago. If you need a little help coming up with chic and timely inspiration, check out the designer dining rooms below.
The modern designer dining room doesn’t feel stuffy or precious; it’s designed with a larger focus on conversation, experience, and frequent use. Though not every family meal necessarily needs to be enjoyed in this space, don’t think of your formal dining room as just a place for special occasions anymore. The rooms below are playful, elevated, and inviting, while still having separation from other parts of the home.
If your home could use a refresh, check out the 87 designer dining rooms below before you get started—we guarantee you’ll find something you love.
Additional copy by Medgina Saint-Elien, Kelly Allen, and Kate McGregor.
Give It a Hotel-Like Feel
In our 2025 Whole Home, designer Kim Lewis decorated the dining room with a fashion-forward aesthetic. A custom rug, white concrete table, and automated sheer curtains add brightness to the space, while the velvet drapes and intriguing chairs give it that boutique vibe.
Round It Out
To ensure good conversations among your dinner party guests, opt for a round dining table, as Marie-Joe Bouffard of JFY Designs did in this Nashville new-build. The curved banquette was custom-made for the space, but it’s a worthy splurge.
Pick Out Wood Paneling
This warm dining nook by Alexander Design makes a statement with the mahogany dining table and mohair banquette, but it's the wood paneling that really ties it all together. It’s so unique and custom to the home, you really can’t find anything like it elsewhere.
Paint a High-Gloss Ceiling
If you know you’re not going to use your formal dining room for everyday meals, do what the team at Studio D Interiors did in this Denver home and turn it into an eye-catching space. They painted the ceiling in a high-gloss oxblood hue, completely engulfing the room in the drama.
Envelop It In a Mural
Designer Cynthia Ferguson chose a transportive wallpaper mural for this sunny dining room, lending it a more tranquil atmosphere. The painted blue ceiling adds to the immersive vibe.
Add a Bar
A home bar is all the rage, especially in the pantry or home library, if you have one. But what about a bar in the dining room itself for easy access? Cashmere Interior revamped this built-in cocktail cabinet, adding even more charm to the pattern-filled space.
Install Sconces
If you love setting the mood through candlelight on your dining table but want a bit more lighting that isn't directly overhead, install a few sconces on the walls, like Sugarhouse Design & Architecture did in this Hamptons home. The soft glow will enhance the welcoming atmosphere while adding a pretty accent.
Opt for an Oversized Pendant
In Krysta Gibbons's own home, the designer arranged the floor plan so that this formal dining room would be on display from the front door. A big lantern light stands out in the space, which is wrapped in a custom mural by Paul Montgomery.
Keep It Airy With Glass Doors
Allow light to flow into the dining room–without compromising on room separation—by enclosing the space with glass pocket doors. Outfit the space in a serene, neutral color palette with sculptural wood chairs and a statement-making chandelier, as designer Gabriela Eisenhart did in this dining room.
Split It Up
In this Jeremiah Brent-designed Vermont home, there are two dining tables instead of one. For larger groups, the tables can be pushed together. When it's just the owners, one piece allows for a more intimate meal.
Move It Outdoors
When the weather allows, there are few things nicer than dining outdoors. For this alfresco setup, designer Lauren Nelson used a dining set from RH made to withstand the elements, which means it's nearly always guest-ready.
Tuck the Space Away
In a small layout, a large dining table can impede the flow of traffic and look bulky. To avoid this, designer Meghan Shadrick opted for a corner banquette instead. “Banquettes work wonders when the dining area is small and interferes with traffic flow in and out of space,” Shadrick says.
Add Casual Elements
Here, designer Minnette Jackson chose a woven wallpaper to soften the formal dining room, which is adjacent to the outdoors. “The room opens right out onto our back patio, so I felt it called for an organic element to temper the more formal pieces,” Jackson says. “I used a neutral paper weave to add an earthy element, while the silk DeGournay panels and vintage stools give a luxe factor. I do love to entertain, and we eat here often!”
Ground the Patterns
Perfecting the art of mixing prints requires using different colors and scales, something designer Colleen Simonds knew she would need to calm the busy wallpaper in this dining room idea. “The color and glaze on the lamps help balance the tones in the wallpaper,” she explains. The brown rug, chosen for its pops of color, grounds the entire room.
Double Your Lighting
If your dining table is long rather than round, odds are you're going to need more light fixtures to ensure everyone can see their plate. Rather than recessed cans, designer Janelle Patton, founder of Lark Interiors, chose a pair of matching, dramatic chandeliers.
Create a Focal Point
Outside of the dining table, which is usually centered, dining rooms often lack a grounding element. In this dining room idea, designer Alexander Reid chose a contrasting, black china cabinet to draw the eye. "I love a touch of black," Reid says about the custom cabinet. "It makes everything around it pop."
Create a Cozy Vibe
Recreate your favorite dining establishment by mimicking hospitality design in your own home. Key elements include moody paint colors, low lighting, and soft seating. Take a note from the team behind Of Place Studio and combat a dark wall hue with light wood tones.
Mix Design Styles
In this dynamic dining room by Lauren Nelson, botanical wallpaper is the star of the show. To offset its formality, she paired it with a midcentury light fixture and a modern marble table. You don't have to adhere to strict design styles when you mix and match eras skilfully.
Listen to Your Architecture
If you're lucky enough to have a floor plan with personality, like Serena Dugan's New York home, let it inform your design choices. In this dining room idea, the painter allowed the fireplace to take center stage, keeping the rest of her furnishings minimal and in line with the home's slightly '70s aesthetic. A tonal painting on the mantel ties every element together.
Let Your Seating Shine
It's not every day that dining chairs can be a focal point in design. In this dining room by Palmer Weiss, the room's fixtures were kept neutral to allow the green pattern to get its moment. Brass cabinet knobs mirror the brass nail detailing on the upholstery.
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