Feeling overwhelmed by dining room design? To ensure your space is both stylish and functional, avoid these outdated trends. Interior designers reveal the 5 dining room styles that have fallen out of favor and offer expert advice on creating a modern, inviting space you’ll love to use.
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Ultra Modern Dining Rooms

The days of super-mod dining spaces are over, according to Chrissy Jones of Twenty-Eighth Design Studio. Today’s designers are embracing a nostalgic trend toward more traditional elements, vintage pieces, and personal keepsakes, creating individualized spaces that evoke a sense of comfort and familiarity.
Michael Graham-Smith of Graham-Smith Designs echoes this sentiment, noting a shift away from industrial and minimalist dining rooms. He emphasizes the importance of creating a welcoming and inviting atmosphere, advocating for the incorporation of natural woods and handcrafted textiles to balance modern luxury with traditional details.
EDITOR’S CHOICE
Single-Function Spaces
If your dining room serves as a gathering place for both holiday dinners and game nights, there’s no need to change its purpose. Gabrielle Bove of Opaline Interiors Studio advises against designing your dining room as a single-function space solely for formal gatherings. Instead, she emphasizes the importance of creating a multi-functional space that can accommodate a variety of activities.
To achieve this, Bove recommends choosing durable materials, such as easy-to-clean upholstery, comfortable rugs, and table linens that don’t require hand washing. These practical choices will ensure your dining room remains functional and inviting for everyday use.
Muted Colors
Don’t shy away from color in your dining room, advises Gabrielle Bove. The days of neutral dining spaces with bursts of gray and ivory are over. Bove encourages embracing bold colors or statement-making furnishings to create a vibrant and dynamic space.
One easy way to add instant color is through art. Start by exploring your own home for pieces that deserve a place on display. Frame your chosen artworks and create a captivating gallery wall. Not only will this add visual interest and color, but it will also spark conversations with your guests, who will enjoy admiring your collection and learning about the stories behind each piece.
EDITOR’S CHOICE

Accent Walls

Becky Bratt of Becky Bratt Interiors advises against using accent walls in dining rooms. While this doesn’t mean you should leave the walls bare, she recommends opting for a wallpaper or paint that covers the entire room for a more elevated and cohesive look.
Matching Furniture Sets
When furnishing your dining space, don’t feel obligated to create a perfectly matched look. Consider mixing and matching various pieces to create a more interesting and sophisticated aesthetic. As Becky Bratt of Becky Bratt Interiors suggests, “A dining room should feel collected rather than curated.”
To achieve this eclectic look, explore secondhand stores for unique pieces that resonate with you. Incorporate family heirlooms and hand-me-down items alongside contemporary furniture to add a personal touch and make your dining space truly one-of-a-kind.
EDITOR’S CHOICE
READ MORE: 12 Small Living Room Ideas With Dining Tables That Have Big Style
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