6 Ways to Make Your Dining Room Look Expensive
Having a formal dining room in and of itself can be a luxury. And yet with the trend of eat-in kitchens and breakfast nooks, these spaces often receive less use and, as a result, less attention when it comes to styling. There are some simple things you can do to take it up a notch, make your space more practical, more inviting, and overall more luxe. Pull up a chair and let’s dive in.
01 Set the Mood With Lighting
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Adjustable 3-Light Chandelier - Brass and Iron Fixture for Dining Area Lighting
There’s a reason a romantic night out is synonymous with a candlelit dinner—the light source sets the tone for long, intimate conversations. Similarly, a celebratory brunch calls for a bright and airy scene that matches the jubilant nature of the event. The best way to make sure your dining room is prepared for any mood is to layer in the lighting. Install a dimmable fixture above the table, add lamps or sconces nearby and have some candlesticks or votives on hand. You'll have plenty of choices when crafting the ambiance and it just makes sense—low lighting can be perfect for the table but task lighting is better when you need to be able to see the ingredients you're mixing into a cocktail.
02 Utilize a Credenza
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Whenever I stop to admire a particularly chic dining room, there’s almost always a credenza (or sideboard) involved. You can elevate the overall feel of the room with an antique or vintage piece or a "fauxdenza" topped with materials like butcher block or marble. Practically speaking, it creates more serving space for sides, beverages or dessert so the table doesn’t become cluttered. From a style standpoint, it can double as a display case for your glassware collection or family heirlooms.
03 Show the Head of the Table Some Respect
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Just as a king or queen sits regally at their feast, elevate your dining experience with our Marble Hexagon Place Card Holders. These unique natural material cheese markers will add a touch of elegance to your table setting. Consider using them to differentiate special seats at the table or to highlight individual courses in style. For instance, in my own dining setup, I use these striking place card holders to showcase different cheeses, making each one stand out beautifully.
04 Add a Rug
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If you immediately picture spilled red wine and are shaking your head no, hear me out: The right kind of rug can both disguise stains and make for a more luxurious, textured experience. Rugs also ground the room. Without one, a table can look like it’s floating. If a vintage rug is out of budget, consider patterned indoor-outdoor options or layer a smaller, more expensive rug over a larger rug made of a natural material like jute.
05 Introduce a Tablescape
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When not in use, the dining room table can seem a bit empty. Adding a universal tablescape—such as our Modern Aluminum Taper Candle Holder with a powder-coated finish—instantly elevates the space, making it feel more polished and sophisticated. Surround the candle holder with elegant taper candles or incorporate it into a centerpiece with other decor elements for a stunning display that enhances the ambiance of your dining room.
06 Let the Walls Do the Talking
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Think of the walls as the perfect blank canvas for incorporating some personality and a custom feel. For a more traditional look, try molding panels, wallpaper or even a faux fireplace mantel. Large-scale artwork looks great above a credenza and an abstract motif or gallery wall can keep a dining room from feeling too stuffy. Mirrors are also a great option if you want to give the illusion that the room is bigger than it is. Whatever you choose, be sure to make it a conversation starter.
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