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Practical layouts, beautiful colour combinations, and finishing touches to inspire

When designing a dining room, there are a few practical considerations that should top your list. Adequate space is vital for a family, so too is an adaptable layout for households that welcome lots of guests, or use the dining room table as a home office. Outside of this, there are always design decisions around colour and pattern combinations, the right furniture and accessories, and clever finishing touches.

'Dining rooms are making a comeback as people are starting to entertain in their homes once again,' says Amy Wilson, interior designer for 247 Curtains and 247 Blinds. 'A return to the beautiful traditional deeper tones of colour in dining rooms will add real sophistication to your home and dining.'

Whether you're decorating from scratch or need some impactful ways to update your space, these dining room ideas will give you all the inspiration you need...

The ultimate in nature-inspired decorating. According to colour psychology, the calming aspects of green make it a great choice for the dining room. Note the use of wood and ceramic accessories in this dining room too – sticking to two or three materials simplifies the styling process.

Pictured: Walls painted in Re:mix Sage Green at Little Greene

'Create the perfect tablescape with natural materials such as linens and cotton to add texture and a more relaxed feel to the table setting,' say interior designers Jen & Mar, Co-Founders of Interior Fox. 'Pay attention to the finishing touches when setting a table; the small things always make the biggest difference. Dress the table with flowers, or small trinkets to elevate the overall look.'

If you have a narrow space available to you to squeeze in a dining room table, go for a rectangular model with neat benches that can be tucked away. 'In a smaller or narrower space, where the extra width of a round or oval table may be a problem, stick to a rectangular table, it's the most space efficient way of seating a given number of guests,' says Adam Brown, owner of The Painted Furniture Company

Pictured: Brookland Dining Table With Benches, and all accessories at M&S

The Saarinen Tulip Table and CH24 Wishbone Chairs shown here are (pricey) design icons that will last a lifetime. The budget-conscious decorator can take some cues from this Scandi-inspired styling, especially the space-saving pedestal leg on the dining table, and the surprising contrast of chunky white marble with spindly wooden chairs.

Pictured: Saarinen Tulip Table, and CH24 Wishbone Chairs, both at The Conran Shop

This two-tone dining room effect is achieved with our very own Mono Tones paint collection, that takes you from a warm greige, across purple-toned mid greys, and deep graphites. 'Grey isn't going anywhere and we know that the simple Scandi look is here to stay – so with that in mind we have developed a range of hues that work brilliantly together or coupled with stronger shades for a striking colour combo,' says Sarah Keady, House Beautiful's Style and Interiors Director.

Pictured: Walls painted in House Beautiful Mono Tones Paint at Homebase

As our homes become smaller, multi-functional rooms will play a big role in family life. To successfully merge a living and dining space, Nomita Vaish-Taylor, founder of yourdiyfamily.com, suggests subtle delineation: 'I usually recommend giving more space to the area used more, which is almost always the living room. Most importantly you want to have some empty floor space between the two areas. The goal here is to create two clearly defined spaces that still look cohesive and flow into each other. The best way to get the layout right is to experiment and move furniture around until the layout works.'

This is the perfect breakfast nook in our estimation – tucked away in a sunny corner with views over a garden, and created with peaceful tones and lots of natural and tactile materials. This sort of design scheme would work in the smallest of dining rooms, with a tiny two-seater round table.

Pictured: House Beautiful Naomi Mushroom Blinds at Hillarys

Terracotta tones and that fabulous Yves Klein-type blue are quintessentially Mediterranean – the rattan chairs, plaster wall and informal tablescaping add to the effect.

Pictured: Caleb Oak Veneer Dining Table, and all accessories at Habitat

The perfect pink for south-facing dining rooms. This room is a great example of how to build a colour palette around pink without relying on the usual white and brass combination. The black and red accents are the most impactful here – monochromes are always great with warm pinks, especially in patterns like bold stripes or checks.

Pictured: Walls painted in Re:mix Nether Red at Little Greene

If your kitchen and dining room share a single space, lean into the sociable nature of both. 'Combined kitchen and dining spaces are super versatile, and end up being the hub of the home where families, friends and partners can cook together, dine, relax and entertain,' says Kelly Collins, interior designer and head of creative at Swyft Home.

Pictured: House Beautiful Sensation Candy Cane Painted Laminate at Carpetright

Another wonderful breakfast nook, here using an on-trend plaster pink finish on the walls. In pale dining rooms like this, you don't want the effect to look washed out – it's wise to add darker elements like the splash of black in the vase and painting.

Pictured: Ercol Siena Breakfast Table at Barker and Stonehouse

This serene dining room uses natural materials throughout – the floor is an exposed wood, the blinds are made of sustainable bamboo, and accents are glass and ceramic. If you emulate this look, it's worth investing in good storage, like a solid sideboard, to hide away appliances and devices, and maintain the all-natural scheme.

Pictured: House Beautiful Bamboo Blinds at Hillarys

If your dining table and chairs are antique, there can be a tendency to match the richness of the wood with dark and dramatic surroundings – but the result can be overly heavy. Cooler shades like pale blue or sage green provide better contrast, as well a great backdrop to let your feature furniture stand out.

Pictured: Walls painted in Long Acre No.102 at Mylands

If you're married to your white walls, dining tables and chairs can introduce colour in manageable doses. 'If you're not sure where to start or are a little colour shy, consider focusing on one area,' says Jen and Mar Co-Founders of Interior Fox. 'This could be a statement colourful chair or even a cushion, then layer from there. Colour can help to create zones in the home and can be used in exciting and creative ways, so try not to hold back!'

Pictured: Oda Dining Table in Blue at The House Beautiful Marketplace

A farmhouse dining table with matching benches is a great choice for sociable households. 'Whilst chairs are perhaps the more traditional and supportive option, benches do offer more flexible seating as you may be able to squeeze more people around the table,' says Adam Brown, owner of The Painted Furniture Company.

Pictured: House Beautiful Carly Concrete Dining Table & Bench, and Woven Effect Rattan Shade, all at Homebase

If you live in a period home with typical design details like coving, high ceilings, and exposed floorboards, there can be a temptation to balance with an equally traditional design scheme. This bold dining room presents a compelling argument for something more contemporary and joyful.

Pictured: Walls painted in Coral Orange No.277 at Mylands

One for the brave decorator. If you use a soft botanical wallpaper in your dining room, contrast with rich colours. 'Botanical wallpapers were a staple for 90s households, and now the trend is back, particularly when paired with matching furnishings,' says Anne Haimes, founder of Anne Haimes Interiors. 'To modernise the look, contrast soft-coloured floral patterns with electric shades to create a striking contrast and a sense of depth to your space.'

Pictured: Stag Trail Wallpaper, and skirting boards painted in James, both at Little Grene

Dining rooms can occasionally become an afterthought, with kitchens and living rooms a decorating priority. But a space used for entertaining should receive the same design treatment. Dining rooms can be a place for statement pieces like art or interesting lighting, says Michelle Collins, Creative Specialist at Green Lili. 'Choosing new art can be a beautiful process if you take the time to find pieces that have heart and meaning and make you feel relaxed and happy in your home. Don't cram every wall with art. Choose large statement wall art to anchor the room visually.'

Pictured: Emperor Twist Carpet at Carpetright

As we tend not to spend protracted periods at a dining room table (save for those who use them as a desk,) you can afford to use eye-catching wallpaper and pattern in close proximity. 'Adding bold patterns into your home doesn’t have to feel daunting, it can be easy to do and can make your space feel brighter and more energetic,' says Nick Drewe, Trend Expert at WeThrift. 'You can pair a geometric wallpaper, a striped rug or accent pillows with crisp white walls to highlight the patterns.'

Pictured: Marie by Sandberg Wallpaper at Wallpaper Direct

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