Home » Misc » Formal dining decorating ideas

Formal dining decorating ideas


51 Formal Dining Room Ideas With Tips And Accessories To Help You Design Yours

Like Architecture & Interior Design? Follow Us...

Sure, we take snacks at the kitchen island and light lunches in the dining nook, but there’s nothing quite like laying the table in a formal dining room to really set a festive mood. The formal dining room may be used frequently by a large family or mainly for momentous get-togethers and special holidays, but always for making memories. With that in mind, this room deserves a special kind of attention. It should be a space that feels magnetic, to draw family members and friends to it and make them want to linger awhile. This collection of 51 formal dining room ideas provides inspiration, tips and accessories to help you design yours.

Define your best features. This formal dining space draws attention to a set of elegant arched window frames by using a defining black paint finish that contrasts dramatically against soft white surroundings.

Use screens to set the scene. These arched window frames are softened by fine lattice screens, which lightly shade the influx of natural sunlight to make a mellow mood. The modern dining chairs bring in contrast to the scheme with their deeper shades.

Eclectic glamour and golden accents. Assorted upholstery covers these dining chairs with creative, eclectic flair, whilst gold coloured accent pieces introduce a luxe aesthetic.

Ensure even distribution of light. In large spaces with long dining tables, it‘s important to supply good light to the diners situated at each end of the table. These two elongated sputnik chandeliers spread illumination far and wide.

Earth colours. Despite their formality, chic dining rooms can still feel connected to nature. Select rich earth colours to complement a lush garden view and elevate with metallic accents, like this eye-catching golden circle chandelier.

Anchoring light installations. In an open plan living room arrangement, anchor a formal eating area with a commanding light installation like this cluster of unique dining room pendants.

Create neat zoning with a dining room rug. Flatweave rugs provide an island of colour and differential texture beneath an open plan dining room. Choose machine-washable options for easy maintenance.

Disrupt stuffy appearances with unexpected colour. Bring formal dining room schemes into the modern realm by introducing randomly interspersed accent chairs, multicoloured chandeliers, and colour-blocked paint effects.

Dripping with wealth. Nothing takes a sophisticated dining room design more upmarket than a fabulously oversized crystal chandelier–except maybe a classical work of sculpture. If you’re going all out, one of each makes a winning combination.

Clear foundations. Lighten the presence of your dining suite in an open concept by selecting a table or chairs with a clear acrylic or glass base.

Luxurious layers. Patterned dining chairs, floor-to-ceiling display shelves, an oversized chandelier, statement art, and a deeply textured feature wall all come together to create a feast for the eyes.

Ethereal eating areas. Crisp white drapes, clean white walls, and rose gold accents style a heavenly dining room decor scheme. A delicate dining room chandelier diffuses the light like wisps of cloud across the sun.

A great place for a piano. Whether it’s just to build a look of grandeur or to perform at an after dinner soiree, a piano makes an impressive and entertaining addition.

Living the high life. Draw attention to a high dining room ceiling with attractive wood panelling. Accentuate tall and narrow alcoves to further stretch the vertical plane.

Delicate additions. Slender slices of white marble and metallic strips thread between bookmatched wooden boards to create an exquisite feature wall. Decorative mirrors and a blossom-like chandelier add bright overlays.

Create your own architectural interest. If you want to get in on the arch trend, you don’t have to move home or rebuild. Fashion a partial arch with a custom-made, open-sided bookcase, which can work double duty as a light permeable room divider. The mid century modern dining table and chairs feel right at home against the arching backdrop.

Bring balance to decorative neoclassical settings with a simple, modern dining set. The decorative intricacies of classical boiserie should not have to compete for their rightful limelight.

Be there or be square. A square dining table is great for keeping conversation between the whole group whilst seating couples evenly side by side.

Be bold in black and white. It’s simple, it’s crisp, and most of all it’s highly effective.

The bespoke lighting plan. Mini pendant lights can be clustered or aligned to make a focal lighting feature that is as large or as small as you desire.

Create a courtyard connection. Art is nice, but Mother Nature’s own creation is unbeatable.

Curate a sculptural focal point with artistic dining room pendant lights.

When the table isn’t set for diners, it should be made presentable for the rest of the day. Decorative trays and bowls make simple centrepieces that are easily removed when meal times roll around once more.

Symmetrical style. Not only do these luxe gold wall sconces complement a stunning central light fixture, but they evenly flank a fabulous feature wall and gold trimmed buffet. Tufted accent chairs place a pop of mirrored colour at either end of the table.

Bask under skylights. This glass ceiling treatment allows sunlight to illuminate the warmth of woodtone panels behind an integrated bookcase.

Play with scale. If there is only space for a small dining set, make the area into a larger statement with a sprawling modern light fixture.

Create visual stops in a centrally situated dining space. Use striking storage units and mature indoor plants to slow the eye from gliding straight past.

Exaggerate a round dining set with a much larger round rug, the combination will create a visual pull toward the centre of the arrangement.

A striped rug contributes easy interest to a plain dining room decor scheme. Select a wireframe pendant light shade to complement the linear pattern.

Areas of attraction. It doesn’t take a lot to elevate a small dining area; select just one piece of 3D wall art and a striking modern fireplace to completely transform the essence of the room.

Where natural light doesn’t quite make it from the windows to the table, install high-gloss floor tiles to help light reflections travel.

Marvellous marble. Marble tables, artistic marble focal walls, and marbled rugs, we love them all.

Instate a stately dining room design with not just one but several exquisite chandeliers. Follow up with deeply decorative crown moulding, boiserie, gilded mirrors, and sensational dining chairs.

Colour kissed. Whilst boiserie remains under a graceful cloak of white, upholstered dining chairs and a floral mural add just a kiss of teal.

Counteract the linearity of a wainscot or boiserie panelled room with a round dining table and curved dining chairs. In this example, a modern buffet unit continues the curvaceous motif.

Be inspired by art, like this abstract, red accent dining room. The modern dining table and red chairs play their part beautifully in the overall setup.

Complement your architecture. Airy, open plan layouts and light filled dining areas require sizeable furniture sets, otherwise nothing makes sense to the eye. Team with a large area rug and a substantial buffet to amp up the impact.

Green, gold and glamorous. Emerald green dining chairs set a rich aesthetic alongside gold framed mirrors and a luxurious gold-trimmed sideboard.

White stone and simple lines fashion a formal minimalist dining room.

Where formal dining rooms are attached to the kitchen, create a cohesive flow with similar materials and complementary tones.

Sapphire accents, spectacular modern chandeliers, and marble flooring make striking companions for the counteractive industrial properties of a raw concrete feature wall.

Widen the dining party staging area with a double-width wooden dining table and a complementary wood slatted ceiling.

A racetrack shaped dining table will put your room bang on trend. Accompany the trendy furniture piece with equally curvaceous chairs and gently rounded alcoves.

Hitting on another popular trend, rattan dining chairs aren’t only for relaxed boho settings. Match this earthy aesthetic with a high-end table and designer pendant lights to retain an air of elegant formality.

Wooden dining chairs and tables sit well in industrial surroundings where they achieve a warming effect on cool metal elements, exposed brickwork, and raw concrete.

Look up. The view just gets better and better with atmospherically illuminated ceiling beams and a pool of overlapping circle chandeliers.

Grounded in grey, this suave dining room design is boosted by decorative wall mirrors, large light installations, and the iconic Easy Chair by Pierre Jeanneret.

Ruby red accents, art relics, and rounded motifs shape a unique dining room design with a deep allure. Luxurious Platner chairs surround the glass top dining table.

Let amazing views do the talking, and keep dining furniture on the down-low.

Choose one standout piece to mould your dining area. The white dining table stands out against the black chairs.

Pick an off-beat hue to give your dining room individuality and go all-out.

1. Upholstered dining chair 2. Platner dining chair 3. Wegner style chair 4. Sputnik chandelier 5. Long dining table 6. Tear drop dining pendant lights 7. Dining vase 8. Decorative mirror 9. Rug


Recommended Reading:  51 Luscious Luxury Dining Rooms Plus Tips And Accessories For Decorating Yours

For more dining room decor ideas, visit: 51 Dining Room Decor Ideas To Elevate Meal Times

Did you like this article?

Share it on any of the following social media channels below to give us your vote. Your feedback helps us improve.

Make your dream home a reality

Learn how

X

10 Formal Dining Room Ideas from Top Designers

In this age of rushed breakfasts and dinners parked in front of the TV, it’s easy to argue that a formal dining room is superfluous. And while we’ll concede that it’s not an everyday space (no one has time for multicourse meals seven nights a week!), its value as an entertaining hub shouldn’t be overlooked. Plus when your dining room is as beautifully decorated as the rest of your home, you might find yourself whipping out the good china little more often.

Here we’re peeking into the dining rooms of 10 top designers. As we head into entertaining season, let these swoon-worthy spaces inspire a refresh.

Photo by Erica George-Dines

Suzanne Kasler’s Quiet Elegance

Designer Suzanne Kasler is celebrated for her serenely elegant aesthetic, and the dining room of her own Atlanta home captures that signature sensibility flawlessly. A soft palette allows the luxurious details, including custom de Gournay wallpaper, mirrored molding at the cornice line, and silk curtains, to stand front and center.

Idea to steal: Station extra chairs around the edges of the room to give guests with a place to perch during cocktail hour—and to provide additional seating for larger dinner parties (the more the merrier!). They should coordinate with your main dining chairs but don’t need to match exactly.

Shop all dining chairs →

Photo by Lesley Unruh

Michelle Adams’s Collected Cool

Michelle Adams’s Michigan home reflects that masterful mix of styles we love so much. Her version is a place where European antiques live happily alongside California-cool accents. With its mismatched chairs, eclectic artwork, and cultivated collections on display, the dining room blends seamlessly with the other rooms in the house.

Idea to steal: Show off your favorite dishes and serveware by artfully arranging them in a glass-front cabinet or an open hutch. Not only will this add to the collected vibe of the space, but it’ll also allow for easy access to your entertaining essentials.

Shop all cabinets →

Photo by Manuel Rodriguez

Jeffrey Bilhuber’s Historic Charm

The dining room of designer and master entertainer Jeffrey Bilhuber is exactly as you would imagine it: immaculately appointed, perfectly suited for entertaining crowds both large and small, and brimming with his signature dose of heirloom furnishings, rich color, and Americana charm.

Idea to steal: Eschew the standard set of dining chairs for a mix-and-match collection, as Jeffrey does here. A pair of upholstered chairs at the ends of the table help unify the look.

Learn how to master the mismatched dining chair look →

Photo by Tony Vu

Jane Scott Hodges’s Refined Warmth

Luxury-linens maven Jane Scott Hodges outfitted the dining room of her New Orleans home in a rich plum grass-cloth wallpaper, an antique chandelier, and a multitude of traditional textiles. It’s a formal yet approachable look—one perfectly befitting the consummate Southern hostess.

Idea to steal: Jane Scott cuts the formality of the space by pulling up a settee on one side of the table in lieu of chairs. “We’re a little cozy,” she says. “But for me, it’s about taking it down a notch and remembering that it’s about the experience for everybody else and not about appearances or perfection.”

Shop all settees →

Photo by Tony Vu

Bunny Williams’s Classic Grace

Bunny Williams’s dining room exudes everything she’s celebrated for as a grande dame of American interior design: effortless elegance, inviting warmth, and style that transcends trends.

Idea to steal: If your dining room is square, try a round table instead of a rectangular one. It will complement the room’s proportions and bring in an elegant curve, all while encouraging cozy conversation.

Shop round dining tables →

Photo by Nicole LaMotte

Hutton Wilkinson’s Major Maximalism

As the protégé of Tony Duquette, Hutton Wilkinson is not one for small gestures when it comes to design. This ethos extends to the dining room of Hutton’s L.A. home, which is—to say the very least—spectacularly outfitted, brimming with rich color and carefully curated antiques from around the world.

Idea to steal: Pick a theme and go all-out. Here, Hutton focused the design around Venetian (the chairs, the candlesticks, the paintings) and Chinese (the rug, the lacquer accents) antiques to give the space its lavish aplomb.

Shop chinoiserie →

Photo by Nicole LaMotte

Photo by Nicole LaMotte

Timothy Corrigan’s Dramatic Moment

Timothy Corrigan has a rule when it comes to the dining room: Go big and make a statement. “I feel that there are three rooms in a house where you can really go for broke and go for big drama: the entrance hall, a formal dining room, and a powder room,” the designer says. “The thing that they all have in common is that none of those are rooms that you stay in that long. I don’t find high-drama rooms, for the most part, that comfortable to live in over a sustained period of time, but in those three rooms, you can make a big statement. ”

Idea to steal: Dishes and serveware aren’t the only accessories that can live in a dining room. Outfit yours with books to bring a collected, literary sense to the space—the perfect setting for a convivial dinner party among friends.

Shop all books →

Photo by Tony Vu

Amanda Nisbet’s Ladylike Glamour

“I just don’t think that any colors don’t go together,” proclaims designer Amanda Nisbet. “There isn’t a color I don’t like.” This fearless philosophy is expertly displayed in Amanda’s own dining room, where bold hues are paired with glamorous gilded accents to create a space that feels both fashionable and fun.

Idea to steal: Follow Amanda’s lead by going bold with your color pairings in the dining room. Since it’s not a space you’ll use every day, it’s the perfect place to push the envelope.

Get even more color inspiration →

Photo by Tony Vu

Madcap Cottage’s Patterned Panache

Jason Oliver Nixon and John Loecke, the duo behind design firm Madcap Cottage, are true pros when it comes to decorating with pattern. Case in point: their ebullient dining room, outfitted in five prints to create a look that feels high-spirited—and yes, a little madcap.

Idea to steal: Don’t be afraid to go big—really big—when it comes to pattern. The trick to making it work is sticking with a core palette of three or four colors that weave a thread of continuity throughout.

See more tips for decorating with bold patterns →

Photo by Joe Schmelzer

Photo by Joe Schmelzer

Mark D. Sikes’s New Take on Tradition

Mark D. Sikes doesn’t do a lot of formal entertaining in his dining room, instead using it as a place to sit and get work done. And it’s quite the inspiring space to be productive, designed in Mark’s signature new-traditional look: a blue, white, and neutral palette, polished furnishings, and character-rich antiques. (And if he does decide to entertain, the space is certainly more than capable!)

Idea to steal: Maximize the light in your dining room by lining the walls with mirrors, which will bounce sunlight into the space during the day and play up the candlelit drama at night.

Shop all mirrors →

10 Dining Table Design Ideas • inTrends

A beautiful dining table is the centerpiece of your dining room, a place where friends and family gather to refresh themselves in body and soul.

Whether you use it daily or reserve it for special occasions, the table is the centerpiece of the room. The decorating ideas you choose for your dining table will set the tone for the entire space.

The traditional dining room conveys an air of formality, but modern outdoor spaces call for a more casual setting. nine0003

Browse our selection of table decorating ideas to find inspiration to match your style, from casual rustic to contemporary chic and everything in between. Whether you're looking for tips for a complete dining table update or just a few tips on new decorations to freshen up your decor, our creative gallery is sure to inspire you.

  1. Breakfast table ideas

The breakfast table is often slightly smaller than the standard table and is located in the kitchen rather than in the formal dining room. Many old houses are built with the classic breakfast nook in the corner of the kitchen, with a banquette or bench instead of individual chairs. But in a small apartment or apartment, there may be enough space for a small breakfast table and a few chairs. nine0003

Decorative items on the breakfast table should be kept simple. A small glass vase with fresh flowers or a houseplant are fun and simple touches. To make it easier to eat in the morning, place a turntable or lazy sofa in the center of the table so that everyone in the family can easily reach milk, sugar and a napkin holder.

  1. Candle Ideas for Dining Table

Nothing adds more warmth and coziness to a dining room than candles. Arrange candles and decorative candlesticks wherever possible - on the table, on shelves, in a sideboard or in a cupboard. An arrangement of candles, each at different heights, creates a gorgeous glowing table centerpiece, perfect for any special occasion. nine0003

Tall silver or glass chandeliers are a traditional dining room design idea that can fit into any decor style. Modernize them by adding sprigs of greenery laid on a linen tablecloth.

Be sure to use unscented or lightly scented candles, as highly scented candles will make it difficult to taste the food. Battery powered electric candles look almost as good as real ones and eliminate both the scent issue and the risk of fire. nine0003

  1. Ideas for decorating the center of a dining table

The centerpiece of a dining table is its focal point, but it doesn't have to be limited to just one central spot. In fact, a long dining set or a collection of decorative accessories look great on an oblong or rectangular table. A strip of fabric can be the foundation for your centerpiece, and its length can be varied depending on the shape of the table and your sense of style. nine0003

Decor ideas are not limited to flowers or candles. Place a gorgeous glass dish or bowl on the table, empty or filled with fruit. A small sculpture is a suitable centerpiece, as is a tray on which to place a row of small potted succulents. Whatever centerpiece you choose, make sure it doesn't obstruct guests' view across the table.

  1. Festive dinner table decorations

Holidays, parties and special occasions call for a festive dining table setting. Many people choose to periodically decorate the dining room depending on the season. For example, they display bunnies and Easter eggs in spring, flowers in summer, colorful leaves in autumn, and evergreen branches with pine cones in winter. nine0003

The Halloween table is the perfect place to experiment with pumpkins as centerpieces. In December, a tiny Christmas tree adorned with battery-powered lights will be a great center of attention in the dining area. Complete your Christmas table with pinecone candlesticks, a festive tablecloth, and other favorite Christmas decorations.

  1. DIY Dining Table Ideas

Decorating your dining table doesn't have to be expensive or complicated. In fact, embellishments and centerpieces are some of the easiest DIY things to do, even if you have little to no needlework experience. Search your home for items that can be reused. nine0003

Glass jugs turn into beautiful vases, shells can be stacked in an antique wooden bowl, and greenery cut from your own bush will decorate your dining room quickly and for free.

  1. Farmhouse style dining table ideas

The farmhouse style dining room brings back aesthetics to simpler times as it combines the best elements of the present and the past. Depending on the materials used, the design can lean towards both a relaxed atmosphere and a more formal one. nine0003

However, a farmhouse-style dining table doesn't have to be boring. Mix antiques and recycled items for an accent piece that will make your farmhouse look fabulous.

A scuffed white table is as beautiful as a polished wood top when it comes to farmhouse style. Mix and match chairs of different shapes and materials - all this will create a feeling of comfort and coziness. Hang a beaded chandelier to soften the space, and paint the metal with a matte bronze paint or other artificially aging finish. nine0003

  1. Design ideas for glass dining table

Glass tables come in and out of fashion, but have been a fairly standard dining room idea for many years. Usually fans of glass tables prefer a more modern style of the room.

Glass tables are great for kitchens in small homes, as their "invisibility" helps make the room feel more spacious. Some glass tops are completely transparent, others are smoked glass or glass with a blue, pink or greenish tint. nine0003

If you have great chairs, a glass dining table is the best idea, as it provides an overview of each chair. The chandelier looks great above the table reflecting off the glass, especially if it has glass or crystal elements.

  1. Ideas for decorating the kitchen table

The kitchen table is almost always smaller than the dining table, unless you have a small country style kitchen. Therefore, kitchen table decor items should be a little simpler than dining table decorations. Centered items should match the size of the table, but don't be afraid to use pretty rugs, napkins, and other decorative textiles. nine0003

In a particularly small space, the kitchen table becomes a small island with stools or a bar built into the wall. If your kitchen table is tiny, don't add centerpieces to it. However, even a small table can benefit from colorful rugs or a tablecloth that matches the tone of the kitchen.

  1. Art Nouveau dining table ideas

Minimalism is a hallmark of modern dining room design. Look for furniture with simple, clean lines and no unnecessary details. Elegance and simplicity are key words when looking for a combination of modern dining table and chairs, but mixing textures and materials is acceptable. The overall neutral color scheme emphasizes the modern interior. nine0003

Mid-Century Modern is an era that is always appropriate in a modern home. The tulip leg table and Eames style dining chairs perfectly convey the feel of Art Nouveau even in a small kitchen or a separate dedicated area in an open concept living room. Be bold and use a color not often seen in kitchen or dining room centerpieces, like bright purple or chartreuse.

  1. Rustic Dining Table Decoration Ideas

Rustic decor usually includes more masculine items, and the dining room is no exception. Furniture tends to have a rougher texture, with delicate linens being replaced with durable materials such as matting and sisal. Earth tones predominate, with more emphasis on warm wood finishes and an overall dark color scheme.

Candles, single or in metal sconces, help to add warmth and appeal to a rustic dining table. An impressive industrial-style lamp will draw attention to the dining area. A warped wood dining table top mounted on metal legs will continue the rustic industrial vibe, especially when flanked by dark metal chairs. nine0003

Festive table decoration ideas: a selection of beautiful tableware and cutlery

How to decorate

New Year is considered a traditional holiday, which does not negate innovation. We fully support the habit of gathering on a festive night at a large table with family and friends. But in serving, you can successfully do without the usual red-green range, snowflakes and Santa Clauses. We have found several examples of table decorations that look elegant but not trivial. nine0003

New Year is considered a traditional holiday, which does not negate innovations. We fully support the habit of gathering on a festive night at a large table with family and friends. But in serving, you can successfully do without the usual red-green range, snowflakes and Santa Clauses. We have found several examples of table decorations that look elegant but not trivial.

The dining room designed by Bakharev & Partners is decorated in light colors, but expressive things are collected in it. This is a table with gilded carved details, and chairs with metal lions on the backs, and a couple of large chandeliers. In such an environment, even a festive table setting can be neutral, with simple transparent glasses and white porcelain. Associations with the winter landscape are attached. You can add colors to this composition with the help of ceramic figurines. nine0003

Click on the photo to see the whole interior.

This table setting, invented by Katya Gulyuk, can be described in two words: natural and noble. Quilted and knitted textiles, homemade napkin rings made from twigs and deer-shaped candlesticks give a feeling of simplicity and closeness to nature. And the classic Cobalt Mesh service and antique wine glasses are responsible for the festive mood.

Click on the photo to see the whole interior.

Modern serving allows any liberties. On the table in Oleg Tychin's house, traditional silverware, colored glasses resembling Christmas balls, and modern geometric dishes are mixed. Such eclecticism will make the festive surroundings even more interesting. Moreover, the necessary degree of solemnity is provided by classic furniture.

Click on the photo to see the whole interior.

An option for those who are going to enter the new year hand in hand with wildlife. Succulent planters replace disposable bouquets and Christmas wreaths, and crockery looks like it came out of an artisan's workshop. nine0003

Click on the photo to see the whole interior.

For a dignified family feast, a classic table setting is suitable - with glasses lined up in height, bread plates and an indispensable white tablecloth. A good example can be seen in Utkino Country House. It is his trademark that adorns tableware. In a home solemn atmosphere, it is appropriate to use a service with a family monogram.

Click on the photo to see the whole interior. nine0003

This table setting, designed by AD stylist Natalya Obukhova, is also a classic, but reimagined in a new way. The nameplates, which give the feast a slightly official touch, are hidden under glass covers. Even if you are not ready to cover the dining table with mosses and get by with a regular tablecloth, your guests will certainly appreciate your ingenuity.

Click on the photo to view all shots.

You don't need any decorations with this chandelier! Although it is also not appropriate to be modest with serving in such an entourage - you need to keep the bar set by this extravagant lamp. Fortunately, on the dark stone surface of the table, even a classic white porcelain service with silver trim looks very bright. nine0003

Click on the photo to see the whole interior.

The author of this project, Anastasia Komarova, did an excellent job of “making friends” between modernity and classics. And the serving is executed in the same vein: minimalist and rough dishes are here side by side with a whole guard of crystal glasses that provide a festive mood, despite the general severity of the situation. A warm gray palette and natural fabrics are an excellent setting for a cozy feast somewhere in a house littered with snow. By the way, figs in many cultures symbolize abundance, and its presence on the festive table is an excellent start for next year. nine0003

Click on the photo to see the whole interior.

In this project by Maria Pilipenko and Ekaterina Fedorova, serving is not as important as her environment. Checkered chairs and a chinoiserie-patterned tablecloth create a cozy feel. And the composition on the table with a large candlestick in the middle supports the symmetrical layout of the space.

Click on the photo to see the whole interior.

New Year is not a reason to refuse flowers, as long as they do not block the view and do not interfere with your communication. In the dining room, which was designed by Anastasia Sautkina, complete eclecticism reigns on the table. The floral service is adjacent to austere metal glasses, and the marshmallow has turned from an ordinary decoration into a decorative element.

Learn more