For years, open-concept floor plans have dominated home design—and don’t get me wrong, I still genuinely love an open floor plan. I love how it brings people together, fills a home with light, and creates an easy flow for everyday life... but somewhere along the way, we lost something.
Walls came down. Every room became one large shared space. And with that, many homes quietly said goodbye to the formal dining room.
2026 has already seen a beautiful return to Arts & Crafts influences, layered traditional interiors, and homes designed with more intention. Rather than chasing bigger, more open spaces, homeowners are beginning to crave something different: homes that encourage slower living, meaningful routines, and spaces that HOLD a purpose. A room that exists simply to gather.
When we bought our 94’ split, one of the very first things I envisioned was bringing back a true dining room. Not because we host elaborate dinner parties every weekend—but because I believe every home deserves a space dedicated to connection. A room that invites you to linger just a little longer after dinner, celebrate milestones, host holidays, play board games, or simply sit with a cup of coffee while the morning light pours in.
The dining room isn’t making a comeback because it’s trendy… it’s returning because we’re remembering what home is really for.
So, let’s walk through what I believe makes a truly timeless dining room!
Start With the Foundation
Every beautiful dining room begins with one decision: the table.
It’s the piece everything else revolves around, so choosing the right size is just as important as choosing the right style. Think about how many people you typically host, whether you need an extendable table for holidays, and how much room you want to comfortably move around the space.
I always encourage investing in the best dining table your budget allows. A well-made dining table can last for decades. It's one of the few pieces of furniture that truly grows with your family.
Anchor Everything With a Rug
A properly sized rug grounds the entire room and allows your dining chairs to remain on the rug, even when they’re pulled out from the table. It’s one of those details that people often overlook, yet it makes the room feel instantly more balanced & complete.
As a general rule, you want at least 24–30” of rug extending beyond all sides of the table. This gives everyone enough room to comfortably pull out their chair without catching the legs on the edge of the rug.
And don’t be afraid to introduce texture or pattern here either. Dining rooms are the perfect place to layer in warmth through wool, vintage-inspired designs, or subtle traditional patterns that soften the harder finishes of wood, stone, and metal. A rug brings the entire room together and serves as your anchor.
Lighting Sets the Tone
If the dining table is the heart of the room, the chandelier is its jewellery.
It’s often the very first thing your eye is drawn to, it adds personality, scale, and architectural interest.
Whether you gravitate toward brass, aged bronze, woven natural fibres, or a sculptural statement piece, your light fixture should feel proportional to both your table and the room itself. As a general rule, it should be centred over the table—not the room—and hung approximately 30–36 inches above the tabletop.
Pair it with warm 2700K bulbs and a dimmer switch, and the room effortlessly transforms from casual weekday breakfasts to candlelit holiday dinners with the touch of a button.
It’s one of the design investments that delivers the biggest impact.
Dining Chairs
Dining chairs are where comfort meets personality. I love mixing upholstered seating with warm wood tones to create a collected look that feels as though it’s evolved over time rather than being purchased all at once.
Above all else, prioritize comfort. A dining room should invite people to stay awhile. Whether it’s lingering over dessert, sharing another bottle of wine, or settling in for a family game night, comfortable seating naturally encourages connection.
This is also one of the easiest places to introduce texture. Linen, fun fabrics, woven or rattan details, and natural wood finishes all add warmth and depth, helping the room feel layered instead of one-dimensional.
The Layers That Make It Feel Finished
The difference between a furnished room and one that feels truly lived in comes down to the layers.
Artwork resting against a sideboard instead of perfectly centred on a wall, a pair of candlesticks waiting to be lit, fresh flowers, folded linen napkins, and tailored drapery framing the windows. Vintage bowls, collected treasures, well-loved books, and family photographs that have earned their place over time.
These aren’t just decorative accessories—they’re the details that make a house feel deeply personal. They tell your story, reflect the people who live there, and give a room the warmth that simply can’t be bought all at once.
Don’t rush this part. The most beautiful homes are layered slowly, one meaningful piece at a time.
As our own dining room begins to take shape, I’m reminded that beautiful homes are rarely created overnight.
They’re layered, they’re collected, and they’re built one thoughtful decision at a time.
For me, bringing back a formal dining room was never about creating a space that’s too precious to use. It was about creating a room where birthdays are celebrated, holidays become traditions, friends linger around the table long after dessert, and ordinary Tuesday dinners somehow feel just a little more special.
Because when you think back on the homes you’ve loved most, chances are you don’t remember the paint colour or the chandelier first. You remember the people around the table, and maybe that’s why the formal dining room is returning.
Not because it’s fashionable—but because we’re rediscovering the beauty of slowing down, gathering with the people we love & creating spaces that give those moments a place to happen.
After all, some of life’s best memories are made around a table 🤍