Over the last few years, dining room trends have changed dramatically. For the past 20 years, they have been out of fashion, with the popularity of open, and broken-plan layouts meaning they were often knocked through and incorporated into other rooms.
There's an increased need for privacy in different spaces in the house, and dining rooms have, according to real estate experts and interior designers, become one of the most sought-after property features. The once formal dining room that was only used for dining is now doubling as a home office for home workers or school work. What’s more, there is a general increase in the number of people entertaining at home as we try to reclaim the lost social opportunities of the last few years.
When it comes to interior design trends, we are not talking about fleeting fads, but design features that will stand the test of time so that you can realize your dining room ideas in the knowledge that your interiors will still look great beyond this year.
Interior designers have revealed what has been influencing dining room trends recently; these are the key considerations that you need to know about.
8 dining room trends to inspire a remodel in 2025
While aesthetics play a part, one of the most influential dining room ideas we are seeing increased functionality and multi-purposing. Here, we look at the latest ways dining rooms are being designed.
1. Make the most of multifunctionality
In the post-pandemic world, there is an increased emphasis on working from home or hybrid working. Because of this, we are placing more demands on our homes to provide both living and working space without having to convert a whole room to accommodate our home office. The dining room has become the space commonly turned into a workspace.
Nina Lichtenstein is all for modular, multipurpose pieces, especially in the dining room. She says, 'Designed to adapt to smaller living spaces, modular furniture will dominate. Expect dining tables that expand for gatherings.' Folding tables provide a room with more space as they can be tucked away and stowed when necessary. Investing in functional pieces will allow your dining space to feel transitional and versatile, opening the area to non-dining-based activities.
‘Most of all think about your dining room layout and make sure there are accessible plug sockets if your table needs to double up as a computer table!’ says Nicole Salvesen, co-founder of interior design studio Salvesen Graham.
2. Mix and match seating
If you want to update your dining space, seating is a great place to start. It's essential to choose the right chairs as comfort is key in this room. Whether you're having a meal or working from home, you want to feel snugly secure in your chair of choice. Transforming a room can feel like a big task, but this little change can make all the difference to the overall vibe of your dining area.
Bring an ounce of fun to your dining room and combine a variety of mismatched chairs to create a homely and characterful feel. Thrift shopping is your best friend when it comes to this design task as you'll need chairs of varying styles or color. Unify varied seating with cohesive elements, like similar finishes, complementary colors, or shared accessories like cushions. Uniform-style dining rooms can sometimes feel formal and cold, hence the recent shift away from the classic look. Nina Lichtenstein explains, 'Traditional chair sets are being replaced with eclectic combinations of seating, such as upholstered chairs, wooden benches, and vintage pieces for a collected look.'
3. Oversized lighting
Oversized lighting is no new trend. Over the past year, we witnessed a love for statement bulbs and contemporary chandeliers placed above the dining table and the good news is, large-scale lighting is here to stay.
Mara Rypacek Miller, Founder of lighting and homeware company Industville says, 'A large central pendant light or a cluster of pendants above a dining table is a great way to update the space. Not only will it provide essential task lighting, but it will also serve as a striking focal point in the room’s overall design, especially if you go bold with the scale and arrangement. Opting for pendants made from natural materials will foster a laid-back, convivial environment, perfect for social gatherings and family meals.'
Obviously, task lighting is a must if you'll be using your dining room to work from. The dining room is a space that should feel cozy and welcoming but also needs to be practical. In order to pair these features with functionality, consider having dining room lights on dimmer switches to allow for subdued mood lighting for after a dinner party, but brighter lighting for eating and using the dining room as a workspace.
Mara says, 'Where possible, opt for lighting with a compatible dimmer or smart lighting. Both provide the ability to adjust the light level of a room at a moment’s notice and delicately control the ambient mood, depending on the situation.'
Statement pendant lighting has been all the rage this year. Stay on trend with this elegant piece finished in graceful sage.
Oozing sophistication, this statement light is a modern take on the traditional chandelier, holding three bulbs instead of candles.
Six delicately pleated lampshades adorn this 6-arm chandelier from Anthropologie. It's a modern take on a traditional, cottage-style lamp.
4. Nature-inspired murals and feature walls
Statement wall art is a favorite trend of ours, and one style we love in particular are large scale murals that depict beautiful scenes of nature. You would've seen these detailed frescoes in the homes of many designers and celebrities this year, a notable one being Brigette Romanek's woodland scene in Gwyneth Paltrow's home.
Mirroring the decadent interiors of 18th-century French palaces, these mural ideas bring a touch of opulence to the dining experience. Enhance a plain wall and paint a beautiful picture that's pretty enough to gaze at admiringly while eating or working.
While the feature wall trend is stunning, it's not the most practical choice for renters. But fear not – an effective alternative is the tapestry. Similarly to the mural trend, this style harks back in time to the lavish collections of royals and nobility. A large-scale tapestry can spruce up a plain wall and bring a unique textural as well as aesthetic element. It's the perfect piece for the room used for hosting as guests can enviably eye up your wall art.
5. Casual tablescaping
While setting and decorating a dining table used to be exclusively for formal dinner parties, having beautiful decor is becoming the norm for more relaxed gatherings, too. But a particular look is really on-trend: the accidental tablescape.
Anna Sheridan is an interior stylist who has composed many impressive tablescapes. She's particularly keen on stainless steel tableware as it's an all-around style that casually elevates a table with modernity and chicness. She says, 'Stainless steel tableware looks great with anything. I can say this because it’s a sure-fire way to add a surprising and contrasting material to your dinner party table.'
Natural tablescapes are a popular trend that brings a relaxed yet stately feel. Nina suggests combining organic elements – 'Linen tablecloths, wooden serving boards, and seasonal greenery. They will dominate tablescapes in the year ahead, emphasizing approachable sophistication.' She says to use seasonal accents, such as citrus fruits in winter or wildflowers in spring. Her top tip is to layer natural materials, like woven placemats and hand-thrown ceramics, for added depth.
‘There aren’t any set rules for tablescaping,’ explains designer Penny Morrison. ‘But if you match the unexpected you’ll find it much more fun. ‘More is more! I always advise using lots of accessories and layering table linens. A table without flowers is just not alive. Try tall vases with branches for a structured look, or fill lots of little vases with colorful mixes. I tend to avoid white plats and gravitate more towards hand–painted ceramic tableware, which instantly adds an appealing artisanal feel.'
Stainless steel is an effective way of creating a contemporary table that's both attractive and practical.
Try stacking smaller placemats on top of these rustic-style woven pieces for the ultimate natural-themed table.
Harking back to ancient times, place this handcrafted clay vase in the center of your dining table and fill it with dainty flowers.
6. Elevate the traditional dining aesthetic
Traditional dining room ideas have remained on trend due to their timeless appeal. However, the rise in consciousness of global warming and buying well once has led designers to lead the way in furnishing dining rooms with antiques. This needn't mean every dining room is populated with dark wood; you can breathe new life into your dining room with trending furniture ideas.
Painting wood furniture is a DIY job you can do to give an existing space a whole new look quickly. It's a quirky alternative to boring brown wood, bringing a lease of life through color. Freshen up a more conventional space with lacquer furniture as it's a great way of bringing interest and texture to the dining room. Eleanor Trepte Tate, co-founder of Dekay&Tate says that 'Bold color can help breathe life into a traditionally serious space and bring in an element of playfulness.'
Bobbin furniture can provide a whimsical feel to any room. It will pair perfectly in an unassuming dining room that needs a dose of fun. Sophia Salata from Vinterior has seen this trend soar and expects it to only increase in the upcoming year. She explains, 'Classic with a touch of whimsy, bobbin is a great way to add subtle interest to a space, and a great ‘starter’ piece of vintage furniture whilst still adding something special to a space.'
7. The sofa substitute
Contrary to popular belief, sofas aren't just for the living room. Their sole function is to seat multiple people, so it makes sense to position one in the room you entertain. There's been a growing utilization of sofas in all formats this year and we've noticed that their traditional choice of placement has shifted.
A loveseat, banquette, or upholstered bench would make a welcome addition to any dining room. The space will reach its optimal capacity as the sofa will neatly (and comfortably) house your guests for the evening. Nina says 'We should expect to see versatile sofas that transform into loungers in the coming year and we couldn't be happier about it.'
Loveseats are cozy pieces that encourage intimacy and togetherness. Your guests will love this seat.
A plush bench, the Sigrun is a classic choice for providing comfort and creating a stylish space.
Banquette-style seating is both practical and chic, reminiscent of traditional diner booths. This Novak Leather Banquette is chic in finish and shape.
8. Moody color palettes
Farrow & Ball's Bamboozle red is featured on the wall of this dining room.
Walls are the perimeter of a room and act as the main foundation of a space. So to truly feel the effects of a revamp, change your dining room wall color. It's the most potent way of upgrading a space and can drastically improve the overall feel.
Red has often been used in the dining room as the shade has connotations of romance and togetherness. This color acts well in communal areas like a dining room to provide a sense of intimacy and coziness. The traditional red, however, has been replaced by its better sister, a 'more spiced-tinged and contemporary' shade.
Patrick O'Donnell, Brand Ambassador at Farrow & Ball describes the recognizable paint shade called 'Bamboozle' saying by using this shade your dining space will 'exude deep glamour in the day and becoming cozy and simmering with warmth at night, especially if lit with an exuberance of candles.'
'Nature-inspired hues like warm browns and deep terracotta tones will create intimate, atmospheric dining spaces. These earthy shades bring depth and drama, tying interiors back to nature.' says Nina Lichtenstein. 'Try balancing these dark colors with warm wood finishes, soft lighting, sheer curtains, and metallic accents to maintain an inviting ambiance.'
Are formal dining rooms going out of style?
Brieanna Cunningham from C&C Partners says, 'The dining room has been making a comeback ever since 2020, but the formal dining room is making an even bigger comeback! A designated spot to host, sit down with family and friends with your nicest dishes, and laugh all evening only feels better when the ambiance is just right. If you have space, bring back the china cabinet and leave your dishes on display! And never forget the candles…'
Formal dining rooms are not going out of style. While there was a period of time when formal dining rooms were falling out of favor with many households instead using kitchen islands, merged kitchen diners, or some other layout variation, the pandemic, and the subsequent need for separate and multifunctional spaces means that the formal dining room has seen a resurgence.
