Room ideas
Dining room ideas
A dining room comes down to three things: the right table size, a light that hangs at the right height, and chairs you want to linger in.
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Size the table to the room
Leave at least 36 inches between the table edge and the wall or other furniture so chairs can pull out — 42–48 inches if it is also a walkway. Allow about 24 inches of table edge per person. Round tables seat more people in less space and make conversation easier; rectangular tables suit long, narrow rooms.
Hang the light at the right height
The bottom of a pendant or chandelier should sit about 30–34 inches above the tabletop. Pick a fixture roughly half to two-thirds the width of the table. For long tables, two or three smaller pendants in a row look better than one large one. Always add a dimmer.
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Try it on your own room
Snap a photo of your room, pick a style, and see it redesigned in seconds — then shop every piece in the picture.
Try it freeChairs set the style
- Upholstered chairs feel cozy and luxurious and are kinder for long dinners.
- Wood or rattan chairs feel relaxed and are easy to clean.
- Mixing two chair styles — for example, upholstered at the ends — looks intentional.
Rug or no rug?
If you use a rug, it must be big enough that chairs stay on it when pulled out: about 24–30 inches beyond the table on every side. Flat-weave or low-pile rugs are easiest to clean under a table. If the rug cannot be that big, skip it.
Walls and storage
A sideboard or buffet gives you serving space and hides table linens. Above it, one large piece of art or a mirror anchors the wall. Dining rooms can take darker, moodier colors than living rooms because they are mostly used in the evening.
Budget tips
Spend on the light fixture and comfortable chairs. A simple table can be dressed up with a runner and a centerpiece kept low enough to see over (under 12 inches).
FAQ
How high should a light hang over a dining table?
About 30–34 inches from the tabletop to the bottom of the fixture, a little higher for very tall ceilings.
What size rug goes under a dining table?
The table size plus about 24–30 inches on every side, so chairs stay on the rug when pulled out.