The dining room holds a unique place in our homes. It’s not just a space to share meals, but also memories, conversations, and a sense of connection. Yet despite its importance, this room is often overlooked or poorly styled. Whether it ends up looking overly formal or strangely sterile, there are a few recurring design missteps that interior designers see all too often.
If you’re rethinking your dining area or starting from scratch, steer clear of these five common eyesores, and discover designer-backed tips to create a space that is both inviting and stylish.
1. Too-Matchy Furniture Sets: When Uniformity Falls Flat
Gone are the days when a perfectly coordinated dining room set was the gold standard. Today, interior designers encourage homeowners to ditch the “showroom” look in favor of more thoughtful and eclectic styling.
Tehilla Bennett, the founder of Teela Bennett Design, notes that a full matching set—complete with a table, chairs, buffet, and china cabinet—can feel too curated and lack character. Instead, she recommends mixing materials and finishes to build dimension.
For example, pairing a rustic wood table with velvet or leather upholstered chairs can bring texture and warmth to the room. Bennett also likes to add subtle contrast by using different chair designs at the heads of the table or opting for a buffet in a different tone or style to avoid a sterile, catalog-like appearance.
2. Improper or Outdated Lighting Fixtures: A Dim Decision
Lighting is often underestimated in home design, yet it plays a pivotal role in setting the mood. In dining rooms, designers frequently see fixtures that are either too small or hopelessly outdated.
“A tiny pendant over a large dining table throws off the scale of the room completely,” Bennett warns. She emphasizes the importance of intentional lighting—pieces that act as both functional light sources and decorative focal points.
Rachel Blindauer, of Rachel Blindauer Designs, echoes this sentiment, pointing out that ornate, vintage-style chandeliers in heavy metals like gold can date a space instantly. Instead, both designers advocate for modern or sculptural lighting that balances drama with sophistication. And for longer tables, consider a row of pendant lights to maintain symmetry and brightness throughout the space.
3. Harsh, Overhead Lighting: The Interrogation Room Effect
Even with the right fixture, lighting temperature and placement can make or break a room’s ambiance. One common error is using lighting that is overly bright or stark white, which makes guests feel more like they’re under examination than about to enjoy a meal.
Melanie Bryant of Melanie Bryant Interiors puts it bluntly: “I feel like I’m being interrogated in a dining room with overly bright lighting and no dimmers. I’m ready to eat and immediately GET OUT.”
Her solution? Aim for soft, warm-toned lighting. Incorporate layered sources, such as wall sconces or lamps, and always install dimmers. This allows you to adjust the intensity to fit the occasion—intimate dinners, family gatherings, or holiday feasts.
4. The Misguided Accent Wall: When Bold Goes Wrong
Accent walls are often used to inject personality into a space, but when done haphazardly, they can feel disconnected and jarring. Designers caution against painting one wall a bold color or adding paneling without weaving those elements throughout the rest of the room.
“In my experience, a more immersive approach works best,” says Bennett. Wrapping the entire room in wallpaper or using paneling on all four walls can offer cohesion and make the space feel intentionally designed.
If you still want to feature an accent wall, ensure that the rest of the decor complements it—echo the color in your rug, art, or dining chairs, and keep the scale of the pattern in mind, especially in smaller dining rooms.
5. Undersized Area Rugs: Small Rug, Big Problem
Perhaps the most universally criticized design faux pas among interior decorators is the use of rugs that are too small. This is especially problematic in dining rooms, where proportions matter.
“A rug that doesn’t extend well beyond the edges of your table not only looks awkward but creates a tripping hazard,” Bryant explains. “You pull your chair back and suddenly you’re half on, half off the rug—now you’re juggling your plate and praying it doesn’t land on the floor.”
To avoid this, aim for a rug that extends at least 24 inches beyond all sides of your dining table. This ensures that chairs remain fully on the rug even when pulled out, contributing to both aesthetics and safety.
Designing a Dining Room That Invites Conversation
Designing the perfect dining room isn’t about copying trends or buying the most expensive furnishings—it’s about curating a space that feels personal, comfortable, and stylish. By avoiding overly matched furniture, investing in thoughtful lighting, using color and materials with intention, and ensuring proportional elements like rugs and fixtures, your dining room can become the warm, welcoming heart of your home.
Let the room reflect how you live, how you gather, and most importantly, how you want your guests to feel when they sit down at your table.
