The 20 Most Popular Dining Room Photos of 2015
Casual multipurpose spaces, open floor plans, mixed seating and distinctive lighting drew attention this year
The dining room has changed a lot recently, which is plain to see in the most popular photos from the past year. Although the formal dining room still exists, as people downsize and favor open plans, a more casual multipurpose space has emerged. Besides hosting dinner parties, these dining rooms double as eat-in kitchen spaces (or rather eat-adjacent-to-kitchen spaces), working hard as breakfast rooms, study areas, and the household’s command central.
New England style. This photo of a dining room in a historic sea captain’s house on Massachusetts’ Cape Cod looks like it could’ve been shot in a well-curated Ye Olde Curiosities Shoppe. That means it feels full of meaningful family hand-me-downs and classic Yankee style. A toasty fireplace, tongue-and-groove paneling and a coffered ceiling provide a great base, while antiques, artwork and tableware complete the scene.
Industrial style. Industrial and salvage elements made their way into dining rooms, with vintage wooden chairs, factory table bases and light fixtures being the top spots to insert machine-age touches. In this midcentury modern-inspired room, a gigantic R from a marquee sign grabs attention.
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Dining table: Anthropologie; dining chairs: Leslie Oschmann; pendant lights: Terence Woodgate
See more of this home
Dining table: Anthropologie; dining chairs: Leslie Oschmann; pendant lights: Terence Woodgate
Open plan. A dining area open to the kitchen often replaced the concept of having a kitchen table and a separate formal dining room. Within these large open plans, designers found ways to delineate the dining room. An area rug grounds this dining area; the light fixture helps to define the space as well, but its clear glass allows it to blend right in with the rest of the rooms.
Creamy No. 7012 paint: Sherwin-Williams; brick: vintage reclaimed Old Chicago brick; engineered hardwood floors: Exquisite Surfaces
Creamy No. 7012 paint: Sherwin-Williams; brick: vintage reclaimed Old Chicago brick; engineered hardwood floors: Exquisite Surfaces
Multifunctional space. In contrast to a formal dining room, which gets used just a few times a year, a dining space with more than one purpose will be used every day. A family-friendly approach is to choose a table that can stand up to finger paints and serve as a good spot for doing homework.
Vino Wine Glass chandelier: Dutch by Design
Vino Wine Glass chandelier: Dutch by Design
A line of pendant lights. A good alternative to one chandelier over a long table is a line of pendant lights. In this Spanish Colonial-style dining room, glowing spheres dance above the table at different heights for a contemporary twist.
Mod pendant chandelier: Shakúff
Mod pendant chandelier: Shakúff
Cushy seating. Upholstered seating can make it comfier to sit around the table and visit for hours. It’s a good idea to use durable or wipeable fabrics like Sunbrella or high-quality vinyl, or to have the fabric treated in case of food and drink spills.
Table and host and hostess chairs: Bungalow Classic; Murano Glass chandelier: Design Within Reach; metal secretary cabinet: Restoration Hardware; Alabaster White wall color and Bright White trim color: Sherwin-Williams
Table and host and hostess chairs: Bungalow Classic; Murano Glass chandelier: Design Within Reach; metal secretary cabinet: Restoration Hardware; Alabaster White wall color and Bright White trim color: Sherwin-Williams
Rustic touches. An oversize barn door, painted pine shiplap and leather armchairs bring in the comfortable feeling from the rest of this equestrian-inspired house.
This is another example of a line of pendant lights over a table. The designer, Ann Sneed, recommends looking to see if a line of two fixtures running along the length of the table will fit better than one hanging in the center. That’s what she wound up doing here.
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Gunnison leather chairs: Bliss Home; light fixtures: Pottery Barn; Cortina rug in platinum with linen binding: Meridian
This is another example of a line of pendant lights over a table. The designer, Ann Sneed, recommends looking to see if a line of two fixtures running along the length of the table will fit better than one hanging in the center. That’s what she wound up doing here.
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Gunnison leather chairs: Bliss Home; light fixtures: Pottery Barn; Cortina rug in platinum with linen binding: Meridian
Ceiling treatment. The dining room is a place where designers concentrated on “the fifth wall,” whether with wallpaper, a coffer, a ray or an intricate design like this.
Ceiling design: Rittenhouse Home
Ceiling design: Rittenhouse Home
Display area. Dining rooms often have wonderful display space for china, tea sets, vases, platters and more, often in a china cabinet, built-in corner cabinets or, in this case, a long wall covered in built-in shelves. In this industrial dining room, the everyday serveware mixes with other objects in a pleasing way.
A round table. A circular table makes for the best conversation, as it’s easier to speak with the people on either side of you than at a rectangular table. In this room, the shape of the table plays off the curves of the stunning staircase.
Staircase: Arcways Inc.
Staircase: Arcways Inc.
Wallpaper. The dining room is a great place to put up wallpaper since it won’t get too much abuse. In this space, beautiful damask wallpaper and a coffered ceiling nod to traditional style, while the sleek tables and chairs and rectilinear light fixture mix in more modern touches.
Retro Odeon Glass Fringe rectangular chandelier: The Gallery
Retro Odeon Glass Fringe rectangular chandelier: The Gallery
Wainscoting. Millwork that extends high is classic and still popular. You can add a busy wallpaper or strong color above light-colored or stained wood without overwhelming the room. Also worth noting in this room is the warm tone on the ceiling and how well it works with the brass chandelier.
Dining table: Woodbridge Furniture Co.; chairs: Wisteria; wallpaper: York Wallcoverings
Dining table: Woodbridge Furniture Co.; chairs: Wisteria; wallpaper: York Wallcoverings
Host and hostess chairs. Adding upholstered armchairs at either end of the table keeps everything from looking too matchy-matchy.
Dining table (similar): 17th Century Monastery Collection, Restoration Hardware; chandelier: Feiss Maarid; chairs: Bassett Furniture
Dining table (similar): 17th Century Monastery Collection, Restoration Hardware; chandelier: Feiss Maarid; chairs: Bassett Furniture
A sculptural chandelier. The dining room is a great place to make a big statement with lighting. Here a coral-like sphere draws the eye up toward that beautiful fixture and the painted planks on the ceiling.
Armchairs: Mitchell Gold (discontinued); side chairs, table and painting: Mrs. Howard; Diallo chandlier: Arteriors
Armchairs: Mitchell Gold (discontinued); side chairs, table and painting: Mrs. Howard; Diallo chandlier: Arteriors
Bench seating. Putting a bench on one side of the table was another way designers helped shake up the seating. I suppose a backless bench is for those who don’t want the dinner guests to hang out for hours and hours!
Hazel long bench (similar): Greenington
Hazel long bench (similar): Greenington
Windsor chairs. These classics easily slip into all sorts of styles. Here we see them in a fairly traditional home on Martha’s Vineyard in Massachusetts …
Darlana large hanging outdoor lanterns: Circa Lighting; table: custom made from reclaimed barn wood
Darlana large hanging outdoor lanterns: Circa Lighting; table: custom made from reclaimed barn wood
… while here we see them in a more modern London home.
Traditional formal. Don’t fret, the traditional formal dining room isn’t dead. It’s just one option in a wider field these days. This dining room has the key elements we expect to see in a formal dining room — an elegant crystal chandelier, floor-to-ceiling drapes, and a traditional table and buffet. They all befit the French Colonial style of the home, while the jewel-toned tufted chairs add a fresh note.
Room with a view. This dining room was the most popular one uploaded in 2015, with more than 22,000 Houzz users adding it to their ideabooks. It’s easy to see why we couldn’t resist the room’s beautiful views. The calm color palette of sand, driftwood and stone complements what we see out the windows without distracting.
Vases, table, chairs, rug, light fixture: Lillian August
Your turn: What’s your dining space like and how do you use it? Did you incorporate ideas that you didn’t see here? Please share them in the Comments.
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Vases, table, chairs, rug, light fixture: Lillian August
Your turn: What’s your dining space like and how do you use it? Did you incorporate ideas that you didn’t see here? Please share them in the Comments.
More
Browse more dining room stories
See more dining room photos
Pendant lights: Holloways of Ludlow; ghost chairs: Kartell