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Whether formal or casual, here's how to upgrade your dining area.
A separate formal dining room is perhaps less common nowadays (and for those who have one, it's most often underused), but for 2025 we're seeing the 'undoing' of the dining room; this hub of family activity is working double duty. In an open-plan layout, the dining area is multifunctional, paving the way for casual dining experiences for entertaining and flexible living spaces that can easily transition into a lounge, study area, or reading nook.
What remains evident is that the most important function of any dining space is the social cohesion it creates—a designated spot to gather, eat, and converse with family and friends. To gain more insights into the top dining room trends for 2025, we asked design experts to share their predictions.
Casual dining furniture is on the up. The focus for 2025 is on dining nooks with banquette seating, ideal for compact spaces or for those who require more flexibility when hosting.
'Whether freestanding or built in, banquettes can provide a sophisticated solution for smaller or unused spaces – it not only looks stylish, but it’s also a comfortable area that will function as the hub of the home,' says Lena Gierasinska, head of product and displays at Barker and Stonehouse.
Alternatively, replacing a few dining chairs with a bench is great for squeezing in extra guests (especially small children, as many can sit alongside each other) and they can be topped with cushions for comfort. Benches can also be easily tucked away when not in use, so it’s space-saving too. Low-slung armchairs are also an option for regular entertaining.
To embrace casual dining, opt for extra comfort with padded back and seat cushions and patterned upholstery to bring character to your dining space.
Project: Dining room design by Studio Duggan
Choosing a table that blends aesthetics with functionality is essential, even more so if space is limited.
'Tables with an extending mechanism are the ideal solution for these smaller spaces. Their neat proportions at original size will fit comfortably, yet they can also be lengthened whenever required to accommodate a larger number of guests, like Christmas and other special occasions,' says Shelley Cochrane, accessories buyer at Furniture Village.
Pictured: Heart n Soul extendable oak dining table, Black By Design
Lighting is the jewellery of a dining room, and if you want to add visual drama to your space, nothing beats the effect of a layered lighting scheme.
For 2025, consider a statement overhead pendant light or chandelier suspended above the table to instantly transform and bring a dose of glamour to your space. Don’t overlook floor and table lamps either – the soft, low light will help to create a cosy and inviting ambience.
Personalisation is a big trend for dining areas in 2025. Forgo plain walls for art and posters, textured frames, and small decorative hanging plates. Layer individual pieces to find your own signature style – it'll make your space feel welcoming and inviting too.
Pictured: The Collector glass collection in blush, Mustard Made
2025 will welcome a mix-and-match aesthetic in favour of traditional matching dining furniture sets. To add character, combine colour, pattern, and texture for a maximalist effect. 'This emerging trend embraces contrast for a modern, eclectic design that creates a visually appealing dining area,' says Sam Deeble, furniture and home interiors expert at Woods Furniture.
The dining room is evolving into a flexible space for 2025. 'A dining room trend we expect to see grow in 2025 is kind of the undoing of the dining room,’ says Linda Eyles of Linda Eyles Design. ‘It’s family friendly and in tune with a more casual lifestyle.’
Working double duty in an open-plan layout, the dining area can easily transition into a work or study area or a reading nook or lounge.
'For those who have multifunctional living spaces that include a dining area, I’d suggest creating distinct zones within this,' says Lena. 'Open shelving can function as a divider or screen, clearly separating living and dining areas and providing an opportunity to display your favourite pieces, creating visual interest too.
'Within this zone, the dining table will be the focal point, so I recommend that you choose a statement piece — whether it’s a unique reclaimed wooden dining table or a piece with a sculptural silhouette. Ground the space with a boldly patterned rug to add texture and warmth underfoot and to inject colour into the room.'
Pictured: North London dining room, Studio Duggan
A recurring interior design trend for 2025, vintage and retro influences continue to dominate living spaces. For dining areas, look for vintage furniture, such as teak dining tables and retro-inspired chairs, mixed with contemporary touches.
The inclusion of sustainable materials in dining rooms is expected to soar in 2025. An increase in searches for ‘sustainable dining tables’ signals a desire to invest in beautifully crafted furniture with a conscience, whether it's stone, glass, bamboo, or wood.
'Low-carbon output, FSC-certified timber and minimal waste are all key eco-friendly USPs that are highly sought after,' says Lena.
Ambience is a big part of the overall dining experience, so how do you make an intimate dining space come alive in the evening other than using dimmable lights or candles? Look to your walls.
Brown, heralded as the 2025 Colour of the Year from Pantone and Graham & Brown, is a great alternative for a bolder neutral that stands as a strong focal point in all different rooms within the home, including the dining area.
'A dining room is a great space to try an accent wall – it creates a focal point, enhances the ambience and brings a sense of style and sophistication to a room you want to show off to guests,' says Helen Shaw, director of marketing (International) at Benjamin Moore.
Pictured: Leather Saddle Brown, Benjamin Moore
Nicola Breen, design director at Caroline Gardner, explains how dinner parties and get-togethers will continue to enthral social media feeds: 'Consumers are increasingly seeking to create Instagram-worthy, restaurant-quality dining experiences at home, so the tablescaping trend will continue too, all reflecting the ongoing influence of cooking shows and social media chefs.'
This ties in with Pinterest's Surreal Soirees trend, influenced by modern surrealism, with curvy candlesticks, fantastical flowers, and gravity-defying centrepieces all set to dominate table displays this year.
Smart technology is a popular feature for dining rooms in 2025: set the mood with smart lighting, turn on built-in speakers for background music and embrace hidden wireless charging when working from home.
'Integrating smart tech into a dining area creates a contemporary and convenient space, allowing you to get the most out of the room,' explains Sam. 'From app-operated sound systems to voice-activated lighting, this futuristic trend allows you to adjust the room to maximise the dining experience.'
Bringing nature indoors continues to dominate in 2025, with biophilic design influencing how we decorate this space. Position a dining table near a window or garden to foster a connection to the outdoors, and blur the lines between indoor and outdoor living with bi-fold doors that can open out onto a patio. Fill your dining area with large indoor plants; wood, wicker, and rattan furnishings; and earthy colour palettes like soft greens, warm terracottas, and rich browns.
Pictured: Teramo dining table, Heritage loveseat, Windsor chairs, all Ercol
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