Create a welcoming and effortlessly functional dining room that is equal parts chic and casual with top selections in a variety of styles for any space you call home.
Anchor Your Space With A Neutral Area Rug
Placing a rug under your dining room table creates a visual anchor for your dining area as well as acting as a tool to define space within your room. Particularly perfect for an open floor plan, rugs add warmth, texture, and a soft touch underfoot, while accentuating your space. For a more casual dining space opt for a charming neutral design with a subtle hint of pattern for a touch of dimension, or go all out with a bold floral or checkered design that speaks to you. Just be sure the rug pulls in similar colors from the surrounding decor and paint choices for a cohesive design that looks effortlessly chic.
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Choose The Right Dining Table
For a casual dining room, less is more and that couldn’t be more true for your dining table selection. Look for designs with simple, clean-lined frames, in light, welcoming hues like beige, brown, white, or gray. Whether you opt for a solid wood, metal, or even marble design, select a shape that best fits into your space and provides enough room for your dining needs. Have space to spare? An extendable dining table design like the Bok Extendable Dining Table, is perfect for when those unexpected guests drop by unannounced.
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Select Seating That Suits Your Space
Don’t get too hung up on perfectly matching your dining chairs to your dining table, for a casual dining space, this isn’t necessary and honestly adds a bit more character and dimension when there’s a little bit of ecentricity. If going with a solid wood table, go for a solid wood or woven rattan seating design for a Nordic or coastal-inspired vibe. Love a durable metal table? Metal chairs with textile or leather upholstery are equal parts industrial and chic. Going for a glass-topped design? An open-backed seat like the Masters Chair from Kartell keeps things light and easy for every meal.
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Switch Things Up With Dining Benches
Love the feel of a communal dining space? Looking to switch your seating game up? A dining bench is a great option for many different dining spaces that seats a crowd with a single piece of furniture. Utilizing a bench as a dining room seating option also works to keep your space feeling clean and clutter-free thanks to the reduction in bulk from the lack of visible chair backs. Benches are also perfect for smaller dining spaces as they can easily be tucked under tables when not in use and take up less space physically and visually than traditional seating designs.
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Serve and Store With The Perfect Sideboard
Stash away your formal dinnerware or seasonal decor while providing a solid surface to serve and display with a simple sideboard design that fills out your space and keeps things organized. A solid wood option in a light or neutral hue is always a great choice, while a darker-stained option can play off of Nordic and industrial vibes to create a chic and rustic space. For endless storage options, opt for a sideboard design outfitted with both doors and drawers, so all of those candleholders, linens, and favorite silverware have their own place to be.
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Add a Hint of Sparkle With a Chandelier
Nothing pulls a dining room together better than a striking chandelier glittering overhead and just because you’re looking to craft a casual dining space, doesn’t mean you can’t have some fun. A linear chandelier is an excellent choice for long, rectangular dining tables as it spans the expanse of the table and provides ample light without blocking anyone’s view across the way. A simple design in stunning bronze like the Brianna Chandelier meshes well with a variety of interior design schemes and brings a subtle sparkle. For a touch of texture, the Piero Chandelier from Currey and Company is a true stunner skillfully woven from iron, with a neutral finish.
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Brighten Things Up with a Pair of Pendants
Ideal for smaller dining areas or layered together for a dynamic lighting design, pendants are often smaller-scaled and less obtrusive than a chandelier and provide ample light and style within your dining room. Paired with recessed lighting, sconces, or lamps, your space will glow with warmth and welcoming brilliance that makes each meal comfortable and enjoyable. A simple Scandinavian or farmhouse modern inspired dining space would benefit from the Standard Original Pendant Light, with its colorful shade handcrafted from enameled steel. For higher ceilings, an all wood option like the Coral Pendant from David Trubridge offers eye-catching structure and unexpected shadowplay thanks to the geometric design.
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Keep Things Simple with Tabletop Decor
Lowkey, simple decor is best for a casual dining room to let the furniture and design speak for itself. A clean, minimalist ceramic bowl is an excellent centerpiece or sideboard topper to hold potpourri, fruit, or snacks. A simple, yet quirky vase like the Kink Vase from Muuto holds a beautiful floral design while bringing some playful, sculptural dimension to your tabletop. No meal is complete without proper linens to ensure everything stays clean and tidy. Top your table with a colorful or neutral option from Chilewich and anything-but-basic napkins from Sir Madam.
