A dining room should accommodate both elegant events and everyday meals, reflect your home's style, and fit your space. But how do you do all of this at once? Figure out how to create the perfect dining room with our dining room design tips. Think beyond the table and chairs – turn to rugs, lighting, and storage to set your dining room apart from the rest.

In this guide:
1. Find the Right Dining Table
2. Choose Comfortable Dining Chairs
3. Roll Out an Area Rug
4. Add Sideboard or Buffet Table
5. Opt for Statement Lighting
6. Include Additional Seating
7. Make Space for Happy Hour
Frequently Asked Questions

1. Find the Right Dining Table

Table Shape

When choosing a dining table shape, consider your room's dimensions, how many people you'll typically want to seat, and your entertaining style. Don’t forget, removable leaves allow you to adjust a table depending on the size of your dinner party.

For Larger Rooms:
Rectangular or elongated oval tables work well for larger dining rooms. The length of these tables absorb space in a way that presents the dining table as the focal point of the room. Larger tables make larger rooms feel more complete and cozy, plus they offer plenty of space for family and guests.

For Smaller Quarters:
Square or round tables are best suited for small spaces or open concepts, and they facilitate easy conversation. Think about an extendable table, which can accommodate more guests and a larger meal when you need the space.

For Impressing Guests:
Take a creative leap with a free-form table. These novelty tables come in a variety of unique shapes and organic designs guaranteed to draw the eye.

Table Placement

Your table shouldn't disrupt the natural traffic flow of your space, so consider the main pathways and measure accordingly. Leave adequate space between the table and walls (or open-concept thoroughfares) for diners to push out their chairs and still easily maneuver around other dining room furniture.

Anchor your table by centering it in front of a wall, a bank of windows, or underneath a light fixture to delineate a distinct dining area. Want to ensure it fits your space properly? This guide How to Find the Perfect Dining Table Height & Other Important Measurements will tell you all the dining table and dining room measurements you need to know.

Tip!

Planning a dinner party soon? Check out our guide: Dining Etiquette Training: Proper Place & Table Setting Diagram

2. Choose Comfortable Dining Chairs

Now it’s time to pick dining chairs that complement your dining table. There are endless types of dining chairs and dining chair materials to choose from, so it’s up to your personal preference to mix or match styles. You can even use a dining bench to add versatile seating where you can squeeze in extra guests. If you’re not sure which dining chair design is best suited for your space, read our guide Types of Dining Chairs to learn more.

Additionally, dining chairs should have enough clearance to fit under the table and ample elbow room for your guests. Consult our guide Dining Chair Dimensions: How to Choose the Right Dining Chair Size for measuring tips.

Tip!

Want to take the guesswork out of the equation? Go with a full dining room set that includes the table and chairs to keep the space cohesive.

3. Roll Out an Area Rug

Laying down a rug ties together your dining room furniture, reinforces your style and personality, and provides comfort. Make sure that your dining room rug ticks practical boxes. If you have children or enjoy a glass of merlot, stand up to spills with an easy-to-clean cotton or synthetic option that’s machine-washable. Stylistically, you may want to choose an intricately patterned rug to hide any crumbs or stains, but be sure that it matches any surrounding upholstery in the room and highlights the dining table set.

Your rug should be large enough that your chairs don’t catch on the edge when they are pulled back – adding 36" to the dimensions on either side is an easy way to accomplish this. With extendable tables, use the measurements of your most-used configuration. For more on sizing, read Your Guide to Finding the Right Dining Room Rug Size.

4. Add Sideboard or Buffet Table

These double-duty pieces provide extra storage for entertaining essentials and offer a surface for serving drinks or family-style dinners. To find a style that seamlessly fits into your layout, consider how much storage space you’re looking for. Do you want drawers to hold your seasonal dinnerware or open shelves to display your fine China? Also consider wood tone – play it safe by matching the dining table set, or offset the look slightly with a complementary tone instead.

Tip!

Keep 36" between your sideboard or buffet table and other furniture so you can pass by easily. For smaller spaces, bar carts are a handy, multipurpose alternative.

5. Opt for Statement Lighting

The right light fixture can become the exclamation point of any dining room and should be hung 34" above the table to create an eye-catching focal point. Which ceiling lights do we recommend above your dining room table? Chandeliers, pendants, or fixed-track lighting. Think about the style of your dining room and home before you choose a light fixture – a graceful chandelier will look great in a formal dining room, while pendant lighting is more suitable for a modern dining room.

Whether you can’t swap out overhead fixtures or simply prefer layered lighting, table lamps can add an inviting glow to your dining space. Top a nearby sideboard with a fabric-shaded table lamp for a cozy atmosphere, or position a small cordless lamp on your table for chic restaurant-style ambience.

6. Include Additional Seating

Thanks to their compact silhouettes, bar stools can be used in a dining room as unconventional or space-saving alternatives to dining room chairs. Bar stools can also be easier and neater to store than traditional dining room chairs – backless bar stools can be tucked directly beneath your dining room table so they take up absolutely no additional floor space when they aren't in use. If you have a home bar, bar cart, breakfast nook, kitchen countertop, or kitchen island in or near your dining room, bar stools can accessorize those pieces and improve their functionality without taking up too much space. If you have an open-concept kitchen and dining room with a kitchen island or countertop between them, bar stools can unify both spaces while adding more seating options to your kitchen and dining room.

Bar stools are available in an incredible variety of styles and sizes. For a comprehensive lesson on how to choose the right size bar stools for your dining room table or other dining room furniture, read Bar Stool Dimensions: How to Choose the Right Ones. To learn more about bar stool designs, check out What Makes the Best Bar Stools the Best?

7. Make Space for Happy Hour

If you have an empty corner or wall to space, adding a bar can be a game-changer for at-home hosting. Opt for a home bar and matching counter stools to create a place to mix up your favorite cocktails, or pick a stylish bar cart for on-the-go entertainment that can move from the dining room to the living room. Just make sure whichever option you choose includes space to hold all of your essentials, including wine bottles, spirits, and glassware that you’ll need to get the happy hour going.