10 things to avoid when designing and decorating your dining room and what to do instead. Plus our dining room makeover reveal!
We’ve all been there—scrolling through Pinterest, dreaming of the perfect dining room, only to realize that ours looks… well, a little off.
Maybe the table feels too big, the lighting is too harsh, or the whole space just lacks that cozy, put-together vibe.
Sound familiar? Don’t worry—you’re not alone!
Decorating a dining room can be tricky, but avoiding a few common mistakes can make all the difference.
Whether you’re revamping your space or just tweaking a few details, I’ve got you covered. Let’s dive into the 10 biggest dining room decorating mistakes (and, of course, how to fix them!).
How to Decorate a Dining Room
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1. Choosing the Wrong-Sized Dining Room Table
Dining Room Sources: Chandelier – Table – Mirror – Wallpaper – Curtains – Rug
Mistake: Buying a dining table that’s too big or small for your space
A table that’s too large can make the room feel cramped, while one that’s too small can make the space look empty and unbalanced.
What to Do Instead:
- Measure your dining area before purchasing a table.
- Leave at least 36 inches of clearance around the table to allow chairs to be pulled out easily.
- If you have a small space, consider a round or extendable table to maximize functionality.
Our dining room table was a good fit for our space but didn’t quite match the design style of the room anymore. So I grabbed some stain and gave it a quick makeover.
Don’t be afraid to makeover your existing pieces to better match your style.
Want to build your own dining room table? Here is an easy tutorial we used to build a table + matching bench!
2. Neglecting Proper Lighting
Mistake: Relying only on overhead lighting or using harsh, unflattering bulbs.
Too much bright light can feel sterile, while too little light makes the space feel dark and uninviting.
What to Do Instead:
- Layer your lighting! Use a chandelier or pendant light as a focal point, complemented by wall sconces, lamps, or candles for a cozy atmosphere.
- Choose dimmable bulbs to adjust brightness depending on the occasion.
- Make sure the chandelier is the right size—it should be about 30-36 inches above the table and about ½ to ⅔ the width of the table.
Our new dining room chandelier might be my favorite part of this makeover! It gives off a great amount of light and fits our vintage glam style perfectly.
I also installed this ornate ceiling medallion to give the chandelier an extra oomph.
As an extra special touch, I installed these vintage inspired switches in our dining room. Was this a necessary update? No, probably not but they added some classic character to the room and allowed me to install these brass egg and dart faceplates.
This update cost me $56 total for two switches and two plates and I think it was definitely worth it!
Check out more dining room chandelier finds here!
3. Skipping a Rug (or Choosing the Wrong One!)
Mistake: A bare floor can make a dining room feel incomplete, while a rug that’s too small looks awkward.
A rug that doesn’t extend beyond the chairs can make the space feel visually unbalanced and create a tripping hazard.
What to Do Instead:
- Choose a rug that extends at least 24 inches beyond the table so that chairs stay on the rug when pulled out.
- Use an easy-to-clean material like wool, indoor-outdoor fabric, or synthetic blends to handle spills and foot traffic.
- Avoid high-pile rugs, which can make it difficult to slide chairs in and out.
One trick I like to use in a dining room or anywhere food will be is to use an outdoor rug instead. They are generally easier to clean and can be pressure washed seasonally.
Our rug has a very low pile making it easy to clean.
I rounded up some of my favorite budget dining room rug options for you here in case you need an update!
4. Overcrowding the Space
Mistake: Trying to fit too much furniture, making the room feel cramped and uncomfortable.
Too many decorative pieces, oversized buffets, or bulky chairs can restrict movement and make a dining room feel claustrophobic.
What to Do Instead:
- Keep only the essentials: table, chairs, and one or two storage/display pieces.
- Opt for built-in cabinets or shelving if your dining area is small.
- Use mirrors or accentuate windows to create a sense of openness.
I really needed to create some storage in this dining room but I did not want it to feel crowded. So I opted to build these arched built-ins with drawers to store all our finer dining ware.
If your room is smaller I suggest adding a large mirror, it will reflect light and make the room feel more open. We snagged this brass mirror from Walmart!
Another way to make a small room feel larger is to trim in the windows and add curtains. I love adding thicker trim around the windows to make them feel more grand.
Hanging curtains high can also make the windows appear larger and the ceilings feel taller. These velvet curtains are from Amazon and are really high quality, especially for the price!
5. Ignoring the Walls
Mistake: Leaving walls bare, making the space feel cold and unfinished.
Walls are a prime opportunity to add character and bring the whole design together.
What to Do Instead:
- Hang large artwork, framed photos, or statement mirrors to add visual interest.
- Try peel-and-stick wallpaper for a stylish but removable option.
- Add wall molding/trim to create an accent wall and add character.
Board and batten is my go-to wall molding. It makes the room feel larger and is a great beginner friendly DIY project.
You can check out the complete board and batten with wallpaper tutorial here!
I also added this beautiful floral wallpaper above the board and batten. Wallpaper is a wonderful way to add pattern and color to the space.
Here are a bunch of my favorite peel and stick wallpaper finds perfect for any dining room!
6. Choosing the Wrong Paint Color
Mistake: Using colors that make the room feel uninviting or clash with the rest of your home.
Choose a color that will fit the ambiance you are trying to create in your dining room while considering the rooms natural light and furniture.
What to Do Instead:
- Consider the flow of your home and choose colors that will complement the rest of the home’s color scheme.
- Use bold colors as accents on one wall, through furniture, or decor.
- Choose paint with an easy-to-clean finish, like satin or semi-gloss, to handle food splatters.
Whether your dining room is open concept or separated, choose a color that will flow with the rest of your home’s style.
When choosing our dining rooms paint color I had the wallpaper color matched to the darkest part of the wallpaper.
This deep blue perfectly compliments the Hickory stain color that we used on the built-ins and use throughout our home.
If a bold color seems too much for your space, use it on a single accent wall or through furniture.
Always use paint samples in your room to see how the color looks in your space’s natural lighting.
7. Overlooking Storage Solutions
Mistake: A cluttered dining room with nowhere to store dishes, linens, or decor.
Lack of storage can make the room feel messy and disorganized.
What to Do Instead:
- Use a sideboard, buffet, or bar cart for functional storage.
- Install floating shelves or built-ins to display stylish dish-ware or wine glasses.
- Choose a dining bench with hidden storage for small spaces.
We already had a buffet in this room, but you could see everything that was stored inside of it and it felt messy.
So I updated the buffet with paint, stain, and these DIY cabinet curtains, to conceal what was being stored inside. Plus the curtains added a pop of color and a classic design pattern.
Here is how I made these cabinet curtains on a budget and without having to sew anything!
The DIY built-in bookcases with drawers also added plenty of storage to our dining room.
8. Mismatching Styles Without Balance
Mistake: Mixing too many styles without a cohesive look.
An overly eclectic space can feel chaotic rather than intentional.
What to Do Instead:
- Stick to a consistent color palette to unify different elements.
- Mix old and new pieces strategically—balance vintage furniture with modern decor.
- Use texture (wood, metal, fabric) instead of just color for contrast.
Whether your design style is more bold or simpler the entire room should flow nicely.
When designing my spaces I like to add paint, stain, and fabric colors to a design board to make sure all the different pieces work well together.
Here’s the design board I created for this dining room before I started:
9. Ignoring the Centerpiece
Mistake: Leaving the dining table empty or using an overwhelming centerpiece.
An overly elaborate arrangement can obstruct views and take up too much space.
What to Do Instead:
- Use a low-profile centerpiece that does not block the view of people around the table.
- Try a vase with fresh flowers, a decorative bowl, or candle holders.
- Change centerpieces seasonally to keep things fresh!
Nothing is more annoying than trying to have a conversation with someone across the table but staring into a tall vase or object instead.
Centerpieces can be a fun way to get creative in your dining room and add personality to the space. I love to mix faux flowers, seasonal fruit, and candles to our dining room centerpiece.
I find a lot of centerpiece items at thrift stores and on Facebook Marketplace. Repurposing items with a little paint or gold Rub n Buff can give them a completely new look.
Here are some of my favorite budget centerpiece finds!
10. Forgetting Functionality
Mistake: Prioritizing aesthetics over practical use.
A gorgeous dining room is useless if it doesn’t function well for daily meals and gatherings.
What to Do Instead:
- Choose stain-resistant fabrics for chairs and rugs.
- Use extendable tables if you host often.
- Arrange furniture with real-life use in mind—comfort and practicality should come first.
We have a 6 year old, three dogs, and we are pretty clumsy ourselves so everything that is in our house needs to be easily washed and stain resistant.
I snagged these dining room chairs from Facebook Marketplace for $150 for all 6! When I got them home I deep cleaned them with our upholstery cleaner. To make them more stain repellent I like to use Scotch Guard water sealant. It helps protect the fabric from unfortunate spills.
Just make sure that the furniture and design of your dining room fits the needs of your family.
How to Decorate a Dining Room: Top Dos and Don’ts for a Perfect Space
And there you have it—10 dining room mistakes you’ll never have to make!
Whether you need to swap out that too-small rug, upgrade your lighting, or finally commit to a statement centerpiece, these little changes can make a big impact.
At the end of the day, your dining room should be a space that feels inviting, functional, and totally you. So go ahead—tweak, rearrange, and decorate with confidence.
And if you’ve made a dining room decorating mistake before (haven’t we all?), drop it in the comments—I’d love to hear your funniest design fails!
More Room Makeover Ideas
How to Design Your Dining Room Like an Interior Designer
Dining Room Board and Batten with Wallpaper
Living Room Layout Ideas with Furniture
How to Make a Small Room Look Bigger
The post How to Decorate a Dining Room: 10 Dos and Don’ts appeared first on Southern Yankee DIY.
