Your dining room can truly serve as the heart of the home: it's where you gather with family and friends, it's where you entertain, it's where you delight in a shared meal.

But it's not always the first room people think of when it comes to decorating. These stylish dining room ideas just may change that, though. From unexpected wallpaper choices, to simple stylistic displays, each of these 50 spaces brings something different to the table. The one thing they all have in common? They're as inspiring as they come.

Read on for 12 of the best dining room designs we've ever come across, and let them inspire your next decorating project.

01 Let the Earth Inspire You

Bringing in earthy elements is a great idea in any room, but is particularly well-suited to the dining space.

"I love my earth inspired home," Mani Tagba of Afro Bohemian Living explains. "My dining table/area combines that with a vintage stone/wood table, the rattan chairs, and a view into our green oasis."

02 Add a Touch of Old-World Charm

Don't let the age of your home keep you from embracing a more traditional style. As this room proves, pairing old with new can be a beautiful thing.

"This dining room is actually in a new build home. I wanted to turn the room into a non-cookie cutter space that many new homes have," explains Valerie Darden of Brexton Cole Interiors. "I added some Schumacher wallpaper, a vintage fireplace mantel, and old pieces mixed with new."

03 Classic With an Edge

Add a little edge to classic pieces by choosing a moody black shade, and finidhing the look with contemporary art.

"This home is a blend of rustic and modern, so we knew we had to go with classic Windsor chairs, but in an edgier black colorway," says Cathie Hong. This dining set from Hedgehouse Furniture fit our aesthetic perfectly and exhibits true quality and craftsmanship."

04 Highlight the Head of the Table

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This modern tropical-style dining room by Forbes Masters is truly a masterclass in contrasts. But we particularly love how the oversized black rattan chairs at the head of the table add drama and delight to the space.

05 Put Awkward Spaces to Work

"My (now former) dining room is really more of a passthrough area, or as I like to call it, a fat hallway," explains Dominique Gebru. "The biggest aha moment in my design process was when I swapped our rectangular table for this round pedestal table, which really opened up the room. It's always the awkward spaces that seem most fun to design. I equate it to unlocking a new level in this game called life."

06 Add Greenery

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Take a cue from this room by Black & Blooms, and add a little life to your dinning room with a collection of lush houseplants.

07 Keep Things Light

This little dining nook by House of Chais feels light and bright thanks to the perfectly curated color palette.

08 Show Off Your Collections

This dining room by Katherine Carter Designs puts the built in open shelving to great use by displaying tableware, glassware, and a beautiful collection of green glass bottles.

09 Shades of Brown

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Going monochromatic is far from boring, as this dining room by Katie Hodges Design proves. The various wood tones add warmth and depth, and the addition of brown curtains ties the whole look together.

10 Think Outside of the Box

Johnson also created a dinning space in her basement, which just goes to show you don't have to feel beholden to the true definition of "dining room."

"I actually use this space in our basement as my workspace but when I'm not working it becomes a game table where we gather as a family or friends for game night with snacks and drinks. It was important to me that this space could be multi-functional and beautiful at the same time so I chose to keep it minimal and simple and not overdone," she explains.

11 Play With Color

"This 1920’s Pacific Heights dwelling focuses on modern elements and showcases impressive views of the Golden Gate Bridge and Palace of Fine Arts. While the design palette was kept neutral, bold colorful accents are used playfully throughout the home," explains Kendall Wilkinson Design. "Darker painted trims in the dining room create a bold impact within the space. Complete with an antler chandelier, the stunning space feels quintessentially California, exemplifying indoor/outdoor living and indulging the client's love of entertaining and sport."

12 Let Your Travels Inspire You

"European excursions inspired the design of this coastal casa based along San Francisco's Baker Beach," according to Kendall Wilkinson Design. "Mixed elements of Old-World Chalets like rustic wood, colorful clay, and intricately painted tiles, complement the design's worldly vision. An iron chandelier hanging from custom wood beams complete the dining room with an authentic touch."