A lot of life happens around the dining room table—from dinner parties to family meals, to homework and at-home school sessions, to art projects and new hobbies. It’s a central gathering place where anyone can pull up a seat and feel instantly at home.
The latest dining room trends for 2021 are for everyone and every home. These style ideas can be easily adapted to fit both small apartments and larger homes, from casual dining nooks to formal dining rooms, itty bitty tables to room for the entire extended family. So pull up the seat, here are the latest dining room trends you need to know about right now.
Whether you are a hostess with the mostest or simply have a large family with many mouths to feed, creating a space for everyone to gather ‘round the table is key when it comes to setting up the ideal dining room. Enter bench seating. Benches are the perfect way to add more sitting room around the table without crowding around too many chairs—there’s enough space to slide right in for a meal. Try pairing a bench on one side with chairs on the other and the ends, or going into picnic table mode with benches opposite one another.
For a funky look, drag up a couch to one side, or back a high-backed bench against the wall for more lumbar support when seated around the table.
For a curated, quirky look, try mixing and matching dining room chairs. With this trend, anything goes! You can stick to one color palette or particular silhouette for a more matched look, or go all out in selecting varying shapes and styles you love. Mixing up benches and single chairs is also a great way to add more room at the table so everyone can take a seat.
When creating your mismatched look, try seeking out pieces in furniture sale sections, thrift stores, and flea markets for a more unique collector’s look—the hunt can be almost as much fun as the find. Just be sure all of the chairs are the same height to keep guests comfortable and somewhat uniform.
Gone are the days of perfectly matched table and chair sets. The rules have changed, and we’re all about it. Mix up styles and materials by selecting contrasting elements for your set-up—think concrete table tops, wooden or metallic legs, cushy velvet seats, and rustic wood slat benches.
Mix and matching wood creates a more farmhouse or boho style, while metal pieces bring an industrial element. Glass topped tables add a touch of modern, and a mash-up of cushioned pieces glam it up. Let your dining room shine with a personality all its own.
Create a dining nook to make the most of smaller kitchens with built-in corner benches. Benches allow for more seating without crowding, and can even hide valuable storage space—simply add drawers or flip tops to them to tuck away less frequently used appliances or your collection of family game night games.
A round table is perfect for tucking into the corner. Try pulling up painted wooden chairs to a circular metal table and scooching it in closer to the built-ins. Cushion the benches for added comfort and add an assortment of patterned throw pillows to further accent the style of the space.
Whether you opt for a pendant light, chandelier, or asymmetrical design, a unique light fixture dangling above your table can help tie the room together while adding a touch of style. Think of your lighting like a creative accessory, and don’t be afraid to try something entirely new to change up the look and feel of the entire room.
Bonus points: add a dimmer switch to easily shift the mood from day to night. Dim the lights for a touch of romance and intimacy later in the evening and to signal the work-from-home day is done.
Gone are the days of boring and basic dining rooms. Have fun and get creative with your dining room styles for a look that is uniquely your own. Make this more frequently-used space in your home one you can’t wait to sit down at—whether you’re powering up your laptop for a work-from-home day or sipping a glass of wine at dinner time.
