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Whether you use it everyday or you keep it preserved for special occasions, there’s one room of your house that can be slightly tricky to style: your dining room. That’s why we’ve rounded up these best dining room ideas so you can finally figure out what to do with the space. You might want to bear in mind some recent kitchen trends because they could inform how you’d like your dining room to look. Whether you’re going for a minimalist style, or you’d rather implement some cozy farmhouse decor ideas, this huge list of creative dining room decorating ideas are sure to help execute any look you’re hoping to create. There are tips for those who want to have a complete makeover, including fresh dining room paint colors and DIY ideas for your furniture. Or, choose a simpler strategy for a low-maintenance fix by incorporating some antique vases, vintage signs, and elegant table runners. If you’ve already revamped your kitchen with some new kitchen decor ideas, then why not go a step further and use some of these beautiful dining room ideas to build the entertaining space of your dreams?
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Patterned Chairs
James Merrell
Get creative with your chairs, like these thrifty ones made out of old quilts and eye-catching fabrics.
Use a vibrant color to make dining room chairs pop in an otherwise simple room. The bold red chairs around this table look so chic against the dark wood.
It’s the small touches that can freshen up a room. Now you can get dozens of easy makeover ideas you can finish in a weekend with Country Living's new digital guide!
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Mix Patterns
BRIE WILLIAMS
You might think the two different patterns of this wallpaper and tablecloth would clash, but they actually work beautifully together to create a welcoming space.
Photograph by Max Kim-Bee, Styling by Sarah Cave, Design by Thom Filicia
This practical table design dates back to the Middle Ages (it can be spotted on a medieval coat of arms) when it replaced solo dining surfaces with a communal gathering spot for sharing meals.
Photograph by Brian Woodcock, Styling by Page Mullins
This color combination dates back to ancient Persia and has showed up in designs from the Netherlands, England, France, China, Mexico, and India. Infuse your dining room with this universal and timeless palette with pottery, china, linens, and more.
Liven up your space by featuring pretty prints on rugs, window treatments, pillows nad more. Block print dhurrie rugs can command a pretty penny. To get the look for less, use a pretty wall stencil to apply a pattern to a large piece of artist canvas or drop cloth with a foam stencil brush. For an 8' by 10' rug, you'll need about a quart of standard interior paint in a satin finish. Wash stencil every other use to keep paint from clumping and elaving unwanted marks on the rug.
This open dining area feels homier, thanks to a large rustic dining table and chairs that will easily seat a family of four as well as visiting loved ones. Bonus points for the easily cleaned rug.
The owners of this 18-century farmhouse in upstate New York painted the once gilt-gold chandelier with a white primer, and added the understated St. Antoine by Farrow & Ball wallpaper, a 19th-century Danish painting, and antique wall sconces.
Anna Logan is the Senior Homes & Style Editor at Country Living, where she covers design and decorating trends, home features, and gift guides. She also produces home features and styles content for the print magazine. When she isn’t working, can often be found digging around antique shops for the perfect find. Follow her adventures on Instagram!