Before I start talking dining rooms today, I want to mention that last week I shared my Mother’s Day tablescape, which I built around the idea of pretty and delicate place settings atop a rustic tabletop. My post was part of a fun blog loop, where 18 bloggers shared their creative ideas for celebrating Mother’s Day. I had fun sharing my table (if you click here, you’ll be taken to that post) – and we’ve made it a party by inviting all of you friends to add your Mother’s Day tablescape through the link at the bottom of the post! I hope you’ll share so that we can spread the fun and see even more lovely ideas for celebrating this special day. The link will be live until Friday – I can’t wait to see your ideas! Now, on to talking about some of my favorite dining room trends:
Today I’m talking a little about three of my favorite dining room trends, and giving you some affordable tips and some resources so that you can incorporate any or all of these trends into your own dining space.
Trend #1 – Rustic dining tables
As I mentioned above, a rustic and interesting dining room table can set the stage for a gorgeous tablescape. It can also help set the mood for the room. Dining rooms don’t have to be super formal or stuffy in order to be lovely and inviting places for you to share special occasions with your family and friends. In fact, another of the beauties of rustic dining room tables is that they are easy to make work in either casual or formal settings. It all depends on the other elements you add to the room – and one of the most important elements are the chairs you use alongside your table.
Desde My Ventana
In the first picture above, the dining area strikes a nice balance between casual and elegant. The rustic table brings a casual feel, while the slipcovered chairs add a slightly more elegant touch. The second dining area with the black metal chairs feels more casual overall. While both rooms are beautiful, they throw off slightly different vibes. Both tables are “rustic”, but in slightly different ways. The first one uses a natural, or reclaimed wood look, the second one is a painted table. Both are lovely, both are rustic, and both feel fresh and on trend.
Desire to Inspire
I love the pairing above – the modern white molded chairs with the rustic table. It is visually so interesting, and makes for a comfortable and pretty dining space. This dining area definitely has a more casual feel.
This dining room shows the pairing of a rustic table with more formal chairs. While the table is still rustic, the chairs help to dress up the space and bring a more refined, formal feel to the room.
And this is why I love rustic dining tables – they are so easy to dress up or down by the choice of chairs, they are visually striking when paired with either elegant, formal chairs, or contemporary, sleek ones, and they make a striking backdrop for a table setting. To make a rustic table work in your dining space, just decide whether you want a casual or elegant look, and then choose your chairs accordingly.
Resources for Trend #1: I’ve sourced six dining tables that I think send that fantastic “refined rustic” vibe I’m talking about here. Most of these are under $1,000. I think any one of these would give you the wow factor a fantastic dining room deserves.
And here is my tip for affordably incorporating a rustic table into your dining space if you can’t just go out and buy a new one to achieve the look.
Tip for Trend #1 – Paint or strip an existing dining table if you can’t afford, or don’t want to buy a new one.
I have a dining table I would dearly love to do either to (paint or strip it). I haven’t talked the hubby into it yet, but I’m working on it! Here’s an example of a dining table that was painted. I love how it brings a fresh look to this room. I’ve included the link to the original post so you can read about this project in case you want to attempt it yourself.
Source: A Beautiful Mess
And here’s an example of a dining room table that was stripped to achieve a more natural wood look. I am definitely going to be studying this one, because her before table looks almost exactly like mine (which I DO NOT love at the moment). Isn’t this just the prettiest finish?! I love it!
Source: Life is a Party
Next up on my list of favorite dining room trends is unique and beautiful lighting. Gone are the days when a dining room light meant strictly a glitzy crystal or brassy chandelier. That’s not to say that I don’t love a glitzy crystal chandelier as much as the next designer, because I DO love them (especially paired with a rustic table!) But they are not the only option these days.
I love this trend toward unique lighting in the dining room for the same reason I love the rustic tables – it makes it so easy (and fun) to personalize your dining space. Just choose a chandelier or pendant that speaks to your unique style. Stunning dining room lighting can be as simple as an oversized lantern pendant, as in the photo above. This simple light really makes a beautiful statement in this dining area.
Sam Allen Interiors
This wood and metal wine barrel chandelier strikes the perfect balance between rustic and chic. Its shape is so interestifng, too, because we expect to see that shape in a much more formal light.
And last, but definitely not least, here’s an example of a gorgeous crystal chandelier above a lovely and rustic table. (Also note the casualness of the metal chairs – another beautiful contrast!) Here are links to some of my favorite and unique lights available right now:
Resources for Trend #2: Here are some of my favorite chandeliers trending right now. They are in a variety of price points, but many of them are very affordable.
Tip for Trend #2: Think outside the box and look at chandeliers that don’t match your table, but rather complement it. For example, you might choose a crystal chandelier (I told you I love them) to hang over a rustic, natural wood table with metal chairs, as in the photo above. That little element of surprise will do wonders for your beautiful dining room! Don’t be matchy-matchy – be original!
Trend #3 – Benches or settees instead of chairs
I am crazy about the current trend of subbing a lovely settee or bench for some of the chairs surrounding a dining table. I think it makes the dining area so intimate and cozy, and there are so many darling settees out there, that it is easy to choose a style to fit just about any shape or size of room.
I love the unexpected touch of these cheerful yellow settees in this formal dining room.
Settees can feel modern or traditional, depending on their lines and the details (such as button tufting). Choose a size that fits nicely along one side of your table, and then a style that works with your table and chairs. And notice from the photos above that settees work equally well with round and rectangular tables.
Resources for Trend #3: Check out these super fun settees and love seats – any one of them would make any dining room special. Most are very affordable, but I had to throw in that amazing blue and white checked one. It isn’t affordable, but hey – a girl can dream, right?!
I hope this post has helped you get inspired with some easy ways to add one (or all!) of these three trends to your dining space. And don’t forget to link up your Mother’s Day tablescape here!
As always, I really appreciate you stopping by, and I love reading your kind and thoughtful comments. Have a great day, friends!