5 Dining Room Trends That Will Be Huge In 2024
With 2023 drawing to a close, interior designers and design enthusiasts alike are already looking ahead to the New Year and the trends that are expected to be big. From trending colors to lighting trends, living room trends, bathroom trends, and more, design experts are excitedly preparing for what 2024 will bring.
If this year’s dining room trend predictions can be boiled down to a single sentence it’s this: formal dining rooms and traditional design are expected to make a comeback, but with a fresh and functional twist.
Here are seven dining room trends for 2024 to get excited about, according to design experts.
- Vibrant Paint Choices
Bye-bye white walls—2024 is set to be the year of bold, vibrant paint choices for dining rooms. Keep an eye out for jewel tones and rich, moody color palettes that create a sense of drama and sophistication, Triggs says. Think deep blues, emerald greens, and rich berry tones paired with metallic accents and luxurious fabrics.
“These hues provide a cozy, intimate atmosphere, perfect for elegant dining experiences,” Triggs says.
- The Comeback of Upholstery
Upholstery in the dining room used to be all the rage, with upholstered dining chairs being a staple of traditional design. However, for years many homeowners shied away from upholstery for practical reasons, particularly if they had kids or pets in the home. Now that performance fabrics are widely available and accessible, designer Megan Molten says that upholstery is about to make a major comeback.
“With the advancement of performance fabrics and the array of options including fun patterns and colors, we have been having so much fun with upholstered dining chair options around the table,” she says.
Interior designer Jaimie Belew agrees, noting that upholstered dining chairs with varying textures and patterns are a great way to bring depth and character to dining spaces, which is something homeowners are increasingly looking for.
- Statement Lighting
The use of statement lighting has been big in interior design for the past few years with no signs of slowing down. So it may come as no surprise that it's predicted to be popular in dining room design in the new year. Statement lighting creates a dramatic focal point in dining room designs, instantly elevating the space.
“These fixtures range from oversized chandeliers to custom-designed pendants, not only illuminating the dining area but also doubling as works of art,” says San Francisco-based interior designer Tineke Triggs.
- Functionality First
Functionality is becoming a priority in many areas of the home, so it comes as no surprise that it is set to be big in dining room design too. Tables with extendable leaves, built-in cabinetry for added storage, multi-purpose chairs, and more are all great ways to add more function to a dining room. This trend goes hand-in-hand with the concept of creating a multi-use space—after all, what use is a dining room if it never gets used?
- Rich wood
Aligning with the popularity of Scandinavian-inspired tableware, wooden tones are set to be popular in 2024, both as accent pieces and as larger design statements.
Natalie Mudd, creative director at The Wood Flooring Co., suggests starting from the ground up: 'Whether working with a large or small dining room, a warm toned floor can make a huge difference to the feel of a space. In more minimalist schemes, warmer hues will create a welcoming ambience – an important quality in any room where the family comes together to socialise.
'When adding richness to a room, opt for a saturated wall and characterful panelling, then introduce a large wooden dining table and complementary chairs to layer texture. By looking for planks and pieces with similar undertones, you can ensure the space remains cohesive.
'Alternatively, look to match your furniture to your wall colouring, as this will put more of the focus on the floor and allow the planks to take centre stage.'