Dining Room Design: Make It Beautiful, Practical, and Truly Yours
Design a Dining Room That Works for How You Live
Ever walked into a dining room and felt like everything just clicked, especially with the right wallpaper and accents? The lighting, the table, even the chairs inviting you to sit a little longer? That’s no accident; thoughtful interior design enhances the dining experience. It’s smart design that gets how you live.
If you’re thinking about redoing your dining room, chances are you’re after more than something that looks good in photos. You want a space that feels easy for everyday meals but still polished enough for hosting.
At Avery Johnson Design, we specialize in creating inviting dining spaces with unique accent pieces, we focus on that exact mix—beauty and practicality. From table size to lighting warmth, every choice is intentional. So your dining room doesn’t just look great—it works for your life.
Start With Purpose: How You Use the Space Comes First
Before you pick a color or shop for furniture, think about what your dining room does for you. Are you hosting big dinners? Sharing daily meals with family? Using it as a part-time office?
Your answers shape everything—layout, lighting, furniture, and even the choice of paneling. Here’s why planning your interior matters in creating a cozy dining space with a beautiful china cabinet.
If your dining table doubles as a workspace or catch-all during the week, you’ll need storage that helps it shift easily back to dining mode. A clear, defined function makes design choices much easier.
Leave at least three feet between your dining room table and the wall so people can move around comfortably. And choose a table shape that fits your room—round and oval tables soften tighter spaces, while rectangular ones anchor larger rooms well.
Designing around your life makes everything feel easier and more natural, especially with thoughtful decor.
The Essentials: Get the Right Furniture, Lighting, and Storage
Once you know how you’ll use the space, focus on three things: furniture, lighting, and storage solutions like cabinets.
Furniture That Fits Your Lifestyle
Your table and chairs are the center of it all in your dining room decor. Love entertaining in your modern farmhouse dining room? Look for an extendable table to maximize your dining room’s functionality. Short on space? A round table keeps things feeling open.
Comfort matters, especially when selecting the right seat for your dining room table. If a chair isn’t one you’d linger in after dinner, skip it. Upholstered options feel warmer and absorb sound. Wood or metal adds structure to your dining room furniture. Here’s why chair design affects comfort in your modern dining setup..
Lighting Sets the Tone
Start with a statement piece above the table—something bold but balanced. Hang it 30–34 inches above the surface for the right glow. Add sconces or lamps to round things out, and always use a dimmer. You’ll want to shift from bright mornings to softer evenings without a fuss. More lighting ideas here, including unique light fixtures..
Storage That Works and Looks Good
A sideboard or credenza holds dishes, linens, and the little extras while adding style to your colorful dining experience. Tight on space? Try floating shelves or narrow consoles.
Find Your Style: Design a Room That Feels Like You
This is where it gets personal.
Ask yourself what feels good to be around. Are you drawn to calm neutrals or richer, darker tones?
Every space we design reflects our unique dining room ideas. Avery Johnson Design starts with personality. In one project, pale wood and custom furniture created a quiet, modern feel. In another, dark walls and sculptural lighting set a moody, refined tone. Both worked because they matched how the owners live—not a trend.
Collect what you love—photos, fabrics, finishes. Notice patterns. Are you pulled toward wood, stone, linen, or metal? Each adds its own feel.
Color anchors everything in your home decor, including the wallpaper you choose. Earthy neutrals, navy, and forest green are big for 2025 in home decor, but go with what feels like home in your farmhouse style. And don’t be afraid to mix styles—an old dining table with modern lighting can be the perfect combo.
If sustainability matters to you, material choices can make a difference.
What’s Trending Now (And Won’t Feel Dated Later)
Curious about what’s in? These trends in dining room furniture have staying power:
Textures you can feel — Wood, linen, and stone bring warmth and depth
Lighting as sculpture can enhance your dining room design ideas and highlight your china cabinet. — Think expressive, not just functional
Soft edges can be complemented by colorful dining accessories. — Rounded furniture makes layouts feel more relaxed
Mixing styles — Combine old and new design ideas for a layered, personal look in your cottage dining room.
Nature indoors can be beautifully incorporated into your cottage dining room decorating ideas. — Plants, natural materials, and organic shapes add calm to your home decor.
Read more about biophilic design
We used many of these ideas in our dining set design for the Upstate Kitchen Retreat project, blending wood, brass, and simple lines for a space that feels timeless and grounded.
Layout Basics: Flow Comes First
Good design needs breathing room. Measure your space and leave about three feet between the table and walls or other furniture so guests can move around easily, especially when using a bar cart. More on layout planning.
In open spaces, define the dining area with a rug or standout lighting to complement your dining room design ideas. Small room? Use mirrors or reflective finishes to make it feel larger.
Sound matters too. Upholstered chairs, curtains, and rugs soften noise, making the room more inviting and enhancing the overall decor. There’s even research on how decorating your dining space improves dining experiences..
The Final Details That Tie It All Together
Now for the fun stuff. Set your table with a linen runner, interesting dishes, and a simple centerpiece to enhance your dining room decorating ideas. Layer in curtains, cushions, or wall art that echo your color scheme and complement your dining set. Add plants or fresh branches for movement.
Candles change the mood instantly—use them to decorate your dining room.
Seasonal refreshes keep things feeling current, especially when incorporating a bar cart. Swap out art, change your linens, or rethink your centerpiece now and then.
Avoid These Common Design Mistakes
Even a well-meant design can go sideways. Watch out for:
Furniture that’s too big for the dining space can disrupt the flow of your interior.
Lighting that’s too small—or too high—can detract from the ambiance of your dining space, so consider a stylish chandelier.
Ignoring comfort or sound can lead to a less enjoyable dining experience in your modern farmhouse dining room.
Matching everything instead of mixing textures can limit your colorful dining room furniture options.
Designing for trends instead of how you live
This room isn’t a showroom. It’s where people come together to enjoy meals and create lasting memories in a beautifully decorated formal dining room.
A Room That Works Because It’s Yours
A great dining room isn’t about perfection—it’s about how it feels and the decor, like a cozy fireplace, that enhances it. When the space fits your life, such as with a functional dining set, you naturally spend more time there.
At Avery Johnson Design, we create rooms that are elegant, practical, and personal. Whether you’re redoing a single space or a full home, we’ll help you get there—with clarity and care.
Let’s design a dining room that feels made for you. Book a consultation Today!
