Rustic decor for dining room

10 ways to a cozy farmhouse space |

(Image credit: Future)

If you want a space full of warmth and welcome, rustic dining room ideas can be a great solution. Simple natural materials, well-loved pieces, and a design that foregrounds functionality can all combine to create a room with plenty of appeal.

The charm of rustic dining rooms comes from the beauty and tactility of the surfaces including wood, and the easy mixing of antique and pre-loved designs with newer choices. And while these dining room ideas may include keeping ceramics and tableware on show, the aesthetic is calm and uncluttered, making rustic rooms wonderful spaces in which to spend time with family and friends.

Here we’ve put together ideas to inspire along with advice from interior designers.

Rustic dining room ideas – 10 ways to create the look

There’s definitely no rule to say that only those with old homes or who live in a bucolic setting can enjoy rustic dining room ideas. Instead, they should be considered as a way to evoke a cozy atmosphere and one that celebrates the provenance of the room’s ingredients.

1. Combine old and new

(Image credit: Joshua Smith Inc Photograph: Lisa Romerin)

One of our favorite rustic dining room ideas is the easy mixing of furniture from different eras, as exemplified in this design from Joshua Smith, founder and principal designer of Joshua Smith Inc .

‘This was a Spanish 1930s in the Hollywood Hills,’ he explains. ‘We wanted to honor the integrity of the architecture and use this expertly carved ceiling as inspiration for the space. We chose to add a 19th century French trestle table coupled with mid-century modern chairs. A pairing like this keeps things from going too heavy, which is the key when integrating rustic elements to a room. It’s about achieving balance and harmony.

‘To give the room more height, we added a 1860s Belgian mirror which added more patina and drama,’ he continues. ‘An oversized mirror is also a great way to lighten up when working with rustic textures. Not only does it reflect more light into the space, but the smooth texture of the glass adds another dimension of complexity to the design. ’

2. Be inspired by nature

(Image credit: Chris Everard)

Characterful rustic furniture and natural textures are not only a great choice for softening modern dining room features, such as poured concrete floors and graphic wallpaper, but provide a pleasing sense of balance to a pared-back dining space.

Really hone in on the natural vibe by adding foraged foliage, green and white crockery and accessories. A great choice for dining spaces is the use of benches instead of dining chairs as it adds an easy, relaxed tone, and allows you to fit more guests around the table. Do include a sturdy chair or two as well, for those who need more support.

(Image credit: Dodson Interiors Photograph: Julie Soefer)

Finding a hero design can be a clever strategy, especially when it comes to small dining room ideas. ‘I think in a rustic space, there always needs to be that one statement piece, the piece that provides character to the room,’ says Julie Dodson of Houston, Texas Dodson Interiors .

‘In this room, it’s that tall vintage cabinet. We loved it so much that the client allowed us to actually build a niche into the wall for it. It was essential to the look of the space.’

4. Foreground wood

(Image credit: Miguel Flores )

Using reclaimed wood furniture with the patina of age or newer versions may be at the head of your list of rustic dining room ideas. If so, it’s worth setting it alongside other organic materials with contrasting textures thus emphasizing the beauty of all the natural elements on the dining room wall ideas and beyond.

Here, the smooth stone of the floor along with the textural area rug strike different notes to wood furniture creating rich detail while maintaining the room’s calm atmosphere.

5. Work with architectural details

(Image credit: M Lavender Interiors Photograph: Cynthia Lynn Photography)

If your home has a history, let the charm of features such as beams or stone inspire a rustic dining room.

‘The location of this dining room is in a large Tudor-style home overlooking Lake Michigan,’ says Mark Lavender, principal designer of M Lavender Interiors . ‘The home, built in 1926, featured several rustic/Tudor-inspired touches that evoked the spirit of an English country home. These included rough-hewn wood beams in the main stair hall and the living room and a giant fireplace in the living room. We built on these touches to create the design for this room.

‘Another great existing element is the large variegated dogwood tree located immediately outside the bay window of the dining room. This tree and the idea of bringing the outdoors into this space inspired the paint choice. Keeping in this spirit, we designed the dining room table in a similar rustic style – we especially loved the stone tiles in the center of the table. Building on that was the use of the cork wallcovering and the large artwork.

‘To bring a sense of modernity and to deal with the large table and low ceiling, we brought in this multi-prong chandelier to really fill out the space above the table. ’

6. Respect proportions

(Image credit: Future/ Jonathan Bond)

The amount of furniture included in a rustic dining room is important to avoid a fussy feel, but equally vital is respecting the proportions of the space. For this dining room, this was achieved by using benches on either side of the table to fit the width of the narrower space. Seat pads mean comfort is still key.

Coziness is also crucial, and pendant lights hung low over the table enable a pool of light to be created around those at the table after dark.

7. Create a cozy atmosphere when entertaining

(Image credit: Max Attenborough)

Gather for simple rustic suppers in a cozy, rustic space. Create a characterful, homely room for everyday eating with subtle green painted, panelled walls and a cool contrasting fireplace or mantlepiece for a contemporary touch.

Introduce elements to further modernize the rustic look and also reflect evening candlelight with touches of recycled glass and metal pendants.

Layer texture further with the addition of a soft sheepskin rug and natural linens. Finally, warm wood furniture helps finish off a snug and inviting space.

8. Introduce an accent shade with paint

(Image credit: Sims Hilditch)

Neutral shades generally take center stage in rustic dining room ideas for apartments, but there’s no reason to step away from a hit of color in a room of this style. Here, the legs of the dining table bring in a pretty blue.

The rules when adding an accent to a rustic room? Pick a shade that doesn’t stray from nature: think skies and water, the green of foliage, or, for a warmer effect, the color of leaves in fall, or red earth.

9. Make the most of rustic wall decor

(Image credit: Jody Stewart)

In a dining room with wall decor such as exposed brickwork or stone, create balance with more refined elements so the design doesn’t veer into an exaggerated take on rustic style.

In this room, the polished wood table and sleek upholstered dining chairs provide the equilibrium for the room with the similar palette of the wall, furniture, and floor making the look cohesive.

10. Display rustic decorative accessories

(Image credit: Neptune)

Include efficient dining room storage ideas – such as an open shelving or a dresser – in a rustic dining room to show off the pieces that give the space individuality and warmth. As with furniture, mixing the new, the antique, and the designs that have personal meaning will add to the room’s cozy feel.

Continue the understated palette and combine textures such as wood and ceramics, and keep shapes simple and unfussy, too, if you’re opting for an extensive display of different items.

What makes a good rustic dining area?

A good rustic dining area should be a space that’s cozy and welcoming. It should also feel intimate to promote relaxation, encourage guests to linger over a meal, and stimulate conversation around the table. To this end, if the floor plan of the home is open, it’s a good idea to use furniture or room dividers to make it feel somewhat separate from other areas.

A dining room should feel special and the carefully considered furniture of a rustic dining room with antique, pre-loved, and newer pieces will help promote the sense of occasion in using it.

Consider also the best dining room lighting ideas to create the right atmosphere: these are as important in rustic rooms as traditional or modern dining spaces. And while rustic dining room designs are pared-back rather than busy, artwork, mirrors and accessories can all bring individuality and interest to the room.

Which rustic colors are best for the dining room?

The rustic colors best for the dining room include shades of gray, or those of brown drawn from nature. Layer these neutrals to create a scheme with depth and interest.

Consider also hues of green or blue for a more vibrant look that is still inspired by the landscape, and think about adding the rich shades of fall leaves as an accent that creates added warmth in the room.

Sarah is a freelance journalist and editor. Previously executive editor of Ideal Home, she’s specialized in interiors, property and gardens for over 20 years, and covers interior design, house design, gardens, and cleaning and organizing a home for H&G. She’s written for websites, including Houzz, Channel 4’s flagship website, 4Homes, and Future’s T3; national newspapers, including The Guardian; and magazines including Future’s Country Homes & Interiors, Homebuilding & Renovating, Period Living, and Style at Home, as well as House Beautiful, Good Homes, Grand Designs, Homes & Antiques, LandLove and The English Home among others. It’s no big surprise that she likes to put what she writes about into practice, and is a serial house renovator.

13 Beautifully Rustic Dining Room Decor Ideas

Ideas & Advice > Dining Room Decor Ideas > Rustic Dining Room Decor Ideas

Room Ideas

Rustic dining rooms are great for creating a cozy, welcoming space for everyone to gather around the table and eat. Rustic design alone is a stunning style, but what's especially nice about rustic style is that it plays well with other design families. Whether you're into mid-century modern or farmhouse, there are so many ways to mold rustic decor & design into your personal style.

Light and Dark, Round and Clean Cut

Rustic style thrives on natural elements and tones. If you have dark wood floors in your dining area, choose to go with lighter pieces to sit on it. Choosing a natural tan, textured rug is a good way to establish the dining area and set it apart from the dark wood floor. If you go with a rounded rug like this one, choose a table and chairs with clean cut lines so that they don't compete with the unique shape of the rug or overwhelm what's established as a small dining space.

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Classy Contemporary

It's true that dark colors make a space feel smaller, but in this rustic dining room, it's the dark walls that establish the tone of this dining area. If you love dramatic spaces, start with a dark wall color, and then incorporate lighter, neutral colors. The lighter accents will make the space feel bigger, and if you choose furniture that has a glossy or metallic finish like this table does, those surfaces also help reflect light and bring more definition to the space.

Lofty Ideas

Have a loft area that you're not sure what to do with? Filling it with a long dining room table may be your best solution! If you have any metals nearby in the architecture (such as in the stairway & loft rails), harken back to that with your dining room set. There are numerous ways to do that, but in this case, you can see how to do it with these modern dining room chairs and their geometric legs. Not only do the legs serve as a nice connection to the rails, but the shape of them also creates a style for the space.

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The Focal Point

Don't be afraid to mix wood tones to create a rustic dining space! In this case, there are several different woods: the floors, the chair legs, the table, and even a small plant stand on the other side of the dining table. You can add in different woods in these same areas, but you can also include other wood elements, such as wood-framed artwork, window sills, table decor, etc. One thing to note when it comes to effectively combining wood tones is to have one that stands out as different than the others; in this case, the table is a class of its own, since it is a darker, richer wood than all of the other light tones. This helps create a clear focal point in the room.

Rustic Modern Farmhouse

Speaking of statement walls, it can be tough to get them right. When creating an art collage in your dining area, make sure your art has a few things in common, like these ones do. For example, most of the artwork is in a white frame or has white matting to it. If it isn't in a white frame, it is in a light wood frame or has some natural tans to it. Speaking, all these portraits and the horns on the wall have a vintage feel to them, so aside from common framing, they all have similar content and coloring. Finally, when you work on your collage, dare to take it high up the wall! When your eye is drawn upwards to a higher ceiling, it makes your small dining space feel bigger.

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Mid-Century Rustic

Your dining room table and chairs aren't the only pieces of furniture that can help set the style of the space. Choosing a statement piece like a dinette or buffet table also helps set the tone. If you like the idea of a buffet/serving table and you enjoy mid-century style, choose a buffet that has those trademark vertical lines. To make the space cohesive, choose a matching set of the dining room table, chairs, a neutral area rug, and a buffet. Being uniform will make your mid-century rustic space have an air of traditional style to it with its uniformity and create a cohesive area.

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Cool Contrasting

To create a modern rustic dining space, choose furniture that has lighter wood tones as opposed to going too dark. Modern style thrives on light, neutral tones, and rustic is best shown in wood, so combining these two aspects is a natural way to blend the styles. That doesn't mean you can't incorporate darker aspects to the area, though! In fact, we recommend it. Choose a light wood table and chairs that have tans/neutral colors in them, but incorporate some drama with the outlines of the chairs being done in black or another dark color so that there's some contrast in the area.

Traditional Mid-Century Rustic

Your dining room table and chairs aren't the only pieces of furniture that can help set the style of the space. Choosing a statement piece like a dinette or buffet table also helps set the tone. If you like the idea of a buffet/serving table and you enjoy mid-century style, choose a buffet that has those trademark vertical lines. To make the space cohesive, choose a matching set of the dining room table, chairs, and buffet. Being uniform will make your mid-century rustic space have an air of traditional style to it with its uniformity and create a cohesive area.

Heirloom Decor

If you have an old wooden, sentimental piece of furniture, include it in your house! This table has a lot of texture to it that tells a tale of a long life and lots of love. These chairs too are a very old wicker style that accents the table's narrative. Part of the reason they stand out, however, is the rest of the room being clean, simple, and more modern with its simplistic lines and designs. Having a simple modern backdrop to your rustic dining space will let heirloom pieces like these truly shine and present opportunities for you to sit down and tell the stories that go with them.

Check out our curated selection of Best Dining Room Rugs!

Traditional Rustic

Add in an element of class with your rustic dining area by going with rich, dark woods. Notice in this room, there are dark wood floors, chair seats, table tops, and dinette. These dark tones are further emphasized with the black outlining on the chairs, table, and the dinette. You can use wood tones in the same way in your traditional rustic dining room, but be sure you do add in some levity elsewhere in the room, such as with a lighter rug and white/neutral colored walls. Choosing a light rug separates the dark table from the dark floors, and going with white wainscotting will also add a traditional vibe to the space while also providing a nice backdrop so the table set stands out against the white.

Modern Rustic

White can be a blank canvas, or it can fill the canvas nearly entirely. By choosing a white table, chairs, walls, and rug, your space can be a prime example of minimalism and maximize your space all at the same time. However, do bring in a few different tones to offset the space--this room has the wood chair and table legs, which sets it apart from the white marbled rug. Add in an unexpected pop of style with a colored sofa table or dinette to break up all the white if you feel like the canvas is too blank. And again, consider putting a round table on top of a round rug to define the dining space as separate from the rest of the room.

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Light and Bright

When creating your rustic dining room, you can certainly choose darker wood tones for your furniture. But how do you keep the room from feeling too dark? Highlight the room with other natural, neutral tones and textures. In this case, there are the tan curtains against the white walls, lighter wood floors, and distressed rug. The curtains you choose also add to the style of the room; in this case, these formal curtain panels connect to the traditional dining room set and add to the style. Whatever your style is, choose curtains that add to that vibe and brighten up the room when necessary.

Rustic Elegance

We've already seen how rustic style doesn't have to mean dark and dated, and now we get a chance to see how it can also be called elegant! Incorporate those wood tones and natural fabrics into your table set, but add in a sense of regal design with the table top. Choosing a glass, reflective top like this not only adds an element of class, but it also brightens up the space. Plus, if you hang a light fixture above it like this one, it'll further light up your dining room.

No matter what design style you're into, rustic decor can easily fit hand in hand with it. As you incorporate rustic design into your dining room, remember to highlight natural textures and woods, and don't be afraid to bring in some older pieces for a well-loved room. On the other side, if you like a more modern, clean rustic, you can still work with those natural tones in a more restrained, simple way. Even if you fit into some other design style that wasn't covered in depth here, as long as you employ those basic principles, you're well on your way to creating a stunning rustic dining room all your own.

20 rustic dining room interiors - photos and examples

Warm corner of paradise

As you know, everyone has different views on interior design. In the dining room, you can set a wooden table with traditional upholstered chairs, and cover the floor with a woolen oriental carpet. It does not hurt to equip a fireplace in it and fix a massive chandelier on the ceiling.

But this example cannot be taken as a basis. Each person has their own idea of comfort. This concept often includes a combination of several directions. But, many people want to achieve the ergonomics of the room. nine0003

Readers of the popular resource Room Interiors are presented with an overview of the best dining rooms, the style of which is timeless.

A room where you will feel the unique sweet feeling of oneness with nature. This is achieved thanks to brick walls, wooden beams, natural furniture. An open fireplace in the interior will help you experience sweet moments of peace and harmony with the environment.

Maximum simplicity

An example of a rustic stone dining room in France. The table, chairs, bench, sideboard are made of solid natural wood. There is nothing superfluous here. A similar minimal environment can be seen in the villages of Italy, where they cook the most delicious and unique risotto. nine0003

A charming secluded corner

In order to save the available space, some inconvenience has to be made. As you can see, to leave the table sitting on the couch, you need to disturb at least four people.

Dark furniture against the backdrop of a large window and light walls

It is pleasant to spend time with close and dear people. On a solid bench, everyone can comfortably sit down for tea drinking and socializing.

Natural wood in a stylish interior

Modern interior offers a cozy atmosphere. The warm texture of wood, tasteful color scheme, as well as good main and additional lighting give a feeling of well-established life and comfort. nine0003

Sand tones create warmth and harmony

The traditional design of the dining room, made using elements of the wooden ceiling structures, art reproductions, the calm shade of the fabric on the chairs, emphasize the correctness of the lines and exceptional order. In such a room at a round table you will spend time with pleasure.

Amazing natural flowers in an original wooden vase

The house that conquered many is located in San Francisco. The bohemian atmosphere is brought by a table, a fireplace made in a rustic style. A variety of romantic white lilies and a seemingly inappropriate school board here once again emphasize the initial feeling. nine0003

Glamourous Dining Room

This daring dining room has the softness and warmth of sheepskins, plenty of light, and bamboo shade curtains.

Refinement and solidity

Colonial Spanish style is present in the room. The furniture is made from the best sorts of wood. Stunning design chairs make the space quite respectable. Walls saturated with a coral shade, a chandelier with an imitation of many candles, an antique carpet look elegant and noble. nine0003

Changing the creative style with bright colors

This shows the same direction as the previous sample, although there are significant differences. The overall color palette is warm and light. This is achieved through the complex textiles of the combined chairs, carpet, pastel-colored walls and drapery on the curtains.

Large windows provide plenty of light. Sunbeams cast a mesmerizing shadow of the amazing forest landscape on the smooth lacquered plane of the table and the honey-colored bench. nine0003

Interweaving of severity and fuss

The dark suite makes the hall harsh. A little chaos is brought in by paneling, funny wallpapers, a chandelier.

Nook for a limited number of people

In an open space with a rustic style, it was possible to allocate a small area for arranging a dining area. There is a small table and chairs here. Two close people can enjoy joint communication and food.

Versatile decor

Collections, many accessories suggest that this is where the family likes to spend time all day long.

Dazzling whites combined with vibrant greenery

Too bright colors are often not associated with a cozy environment. But such an eclectic space attracts people and happiness.

Original additional glass lamps for the working sector

A lot of dazzling whiteness, including covers on soft chairs around a black round table, add pomposity and severity to the dining room. Candles, a fireplace, wooden beams fill the hall with a special atmosphere. nine0003

Decoration of the hall in two basic colors Screen saver 16. Combination of two functional areas

There is a home library along the perimeter of the hall. Its central part is occupied by the dining room. A cozy microclimate of the room is achieved by soft drapery of heavy curtains, in an exceptional order. An important role is played by the yellow armchair of the owner.

Decoration in two basic colors

Well-arranged life gives a multi-layered interior design. Green and brown are present in tablecloths, chair covers, plants and candles on the fireplace. The original woven chandelier is also designed in this range. nine0003

Aesthetic rustic style

The tranquility of a rural dwelling seems to take you away from world civilization. Natural materials in the form of stones of various shapes and sizes, natural wood furniture, dark ceilings and frames make the room feel cozy and as natural as possible.

Creative chandelier

Despite the large area, the interior looks attractive. Its uniqueness is in the design of windows, lighting, a long sofa, a low table, crimson chairs. Such decoration of the room makes it hospitable and friendly. nine0003

Industrial style

Huge windows, wooden beams and natural stone walls create a favorable atmosphere in the dining room. An integral element is a round table, upholstered chairs and, of course, a noisy fireplace.

Home Decor Ideas for Dining Rooms • Decor Art

If you have a formal dining room but only use it when guests arrive, it might be time to make a change. Get a little creative, use bold colors, and even incorporate unique home decor to make your dining room one of the sweetest spaces in your home. Let this space be an extension of your style and complement the rest of your home decor. nine0003

Transform your dining room the way it deserves with styles ranging from rustic farmhouse to something more elegant and modern. Whether you need decorations for your dining table or inspiration for wall art, the right decor pieces will separate your dining area from the rest of your home and clearly define the space without breaking the flow of the design. For inspiration, we've rounded up some of our favorite home decor ideas to brighten up any dining room. nine0003

Rustic Farmhouse Dining Ideas

One of the most popular rustic interior styles is rustic style. It is characterized by the caring, simple and romantic feel it evokes and is perfect for the design aesthetic of kitchens and dining rooms. Beautiful features such as the wide plank floor, antique cabinets and a charming wooden table surrounded by cross-backed dining chairs define this aesthetic. Rustic home decor is characterized by wood or muted metallic tones and a strong personality. nine0003

A wall art gallery with canvas prints depicting your fondest family memories will add personality to your rustic dining room. Hang reproductions of family quotes or large wooden letters to add depth to your gallery. For a more unexpected gallery wall type, you can print your favorite photos on a wooden wall that will look absolutely stunning amidst your rustic decor.

As for the dining table, a soft tablecloth and some fresh flowers in a large vase will add softness to the space. If your dining room has a dishwasher, you can display individual jars next to your precious tea sets. nine0003

Formal Dining Ideas

To create a truly timeless and classic dining room, think formal and modern. This design aesthetic is defined by their clean lines and sophisticated feel.

Dark wood or glass dining table fits perfectly into a modern dining room. You can add some flair with large greenery in simple pots and a sophisticated yet extravagant light fixture such as a chandelier, pendant light or wall sconces. Wall art is kept to a minimum in contemporary home decor, but you can add a couple of large framed paintings for a fresh focal point. nine0003

Formal design allows for a little more glamor and elegance. To incorporate bold colors into your dining room design, you can opt for bright chair covers, hang elegant drapes, or even paint an accent wall a rich tone. Metal touches are welcome in this design aesthetic and can be realized by adding frameless metal photo prints or gold picture frames to your dining room walls.

Modern dining room ideas

Simple elements, a subdued color palette with accents and clear lines characterize this style. The perfect modern wall decor is one large framed print, like a bold poster of your favorite artist. A clean white or black frame is the perfect choice for this design aesthetic. A single table centerpiece - like a white vase with a few olive branches or dried flowers - is a chic focal point that's perfect for this space. Accentuate everything with light windows to optimize natural light. This is the perfect way to make your home decor cohesive, especially if the dining room leads into the living room. nine0003

If you've been wanting to clean up your dining room for a long time and finally have some free time, a minimalist approach to your design will keep the room clutter-free and blend well with your contemporary aesthetic. Include light wood elements, lots of light and earthy touches. Functionality and simplicity are key features, so spend some time reorganizing and decluttering. Simple frames are still all the rage, but you can mix and match different wood frames to create a small gallery wall in your dining room. Add houseplants of various sizes and you'll quickly create a cozy, clutter-free dining room. nine0003

Coastal Dining Room Decor

Whether you live on the coast or you just love the idea of being near the ocean, creating a coastal themed dining room is the perfect homage to your favorite place in the world. In addition, it gives your home a unique personality. This interior design aesthetic is defined by rich blues and sandy hues and plenty of nautical-themed decor elements such as driftwood and shells.