Skip to main content

21OAK may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.

How to achieve the country-style dining room of your dreams

Country-style dining rooms have a way of making everyday gatherings feel a little more special. While formal dining rooms aren’t as common in new builds as in previous decades, creating a warm and inviting dining space is still important. It’s where celebrations, holidays, birthday parties, and regular weekday dinners occur. For many, dinnertime is the primary opportunity for families to connect and catch each other up on work, school, and everything in between.

Farmhouse or country-style dining spaces are fan favorites because the design style is inviting, cozy, and relaxing. Choosing the right decor, furniture, and storage ensures this space is functional and comfortable for those who are dining with you. Looking for design inspiration? Look no further than these choice pieces that are sure to transform your run-of-the-mill dining room into a rustic, country-chic space that people will never want to leave.

Related Videos

Comfort rules

The chairs, benches, and other furniture in the dining room should be comfortable above all else. Unlike the kitchen table or breakfast nook, dining room tables aren’t usually the setting for a quick meal. Often, this is the site of multiple courses and a mix of wine and conversation that flows throughout the evening. Make this space enjoyable for your diners so they don’t get too antsy in the hard, restrictive chairs, and, if at all possible, test the chairs yourself.

Next, consider your living space to determine the style of the furniture. Armchairs are more formal and best for a kid-free dining experience, whereas benches provide additional seating and work best for a multi-use space that’s also the site of less formal gatherings.

For the upholstery, we recommend using materials such as like leather and a cotton/poly blend. These are easy-to-clean materials that are simple enough to match any of the accompanying interior decorations.

We love these Sara Ladder back chairs from Wayfair. They are easy to move around to best cater to your guest list, and reviewers rave that they are durable and comfortable to sit in.

Keep things handy

The dining room should be functional, so make sure plates, napkins, and other serving dishes are handy. With a buffet or side table, you can store and easily access these items without interrupting the flow of conversation. It’s also a perfect way to keep food dishes handy when it’s time to switch courses.

This rustic storage unit is our top pick for adding much-needed storage to a smaller dining room.

Personalize your walls

Rustic wood frames, mirrors, or an old antique clock are just a few ways to give the room a little more personality. The modern dining room is the meeting place for meals, game nights, and late-night conversations, so choose wall art that is classic enough to pair well with any of these occasions. Keep it cozy with warm, earth tones, and fill the walls with family photographs or homemade art pieces. To double down on the rustic, country house feel, choose a feature wall and cover it with shiplap or bold, patterned wallpaper. We love this embossed wallpaper from Birch Lane f0r its stunning damask look that gives texture and character to the wall without it overpowering the room.

ceiling beams

Add wood beams

Wood beams, whether they’re natural or stained, are an ideal way to finish off a dining room. If you don’t want to break the bank, you can find faux wood beams that will transform the space with added character for a fraction of the price of the real thing. This feature is reminiscent of a barn or farmhouse, tying the whole rustic aesthetic together.

Wood, natural-colored textiles, wallpaper, and antique-style decor are the key aspects to designing a comfortable and functional country-style dining room. While the table is often the centerpiece of the dining room, don’t underestimate the transformative power of some well-placed decoration.

The dining room, like the kitchen, is the heart of any home. By making it a space that people want to spend time in, gathering family and friends for a meal will be a breeze. We shared a few design ideas that are sure to make your living room redecoration a successful project, but we encourage you to explore on your own to find the aspects of this aesthetic that best suit you.

Editors' Recommendations

What colors go with purple? 8 captivating shades for your home
Curious about purple decor? Here's how to decorate with and find colors that go with purple
Living room with purple couch and walls

Purple represents royalty, mystery, peace, and much more, depending on who you ask. So, why can’t you decorate with purple? There are many ways to work it in if purple is your thing, from purple color combinations to purple accents.

Research shows that people who decorate with purple are most likely to say their home makes them happy and Pantone's color of the year in 2022 certainly celebrated the shade. If you already love purple, this is definitely the read for you, but if you need some convincing, this just may be the thing that convinces you that purple is the right choice for remodeling your space.

Read more
15 imaginative winter decor ideas to add cozy charm to your home
Winter home decorating ideas for your home after the holidays are over
White background with Christmas garland and winter decor

Once the holiday season has passed and you’ve packed up your Thanksgiving and Christmas decor, your space can feel a little empty after months of decorating. Suddenly, your fireplace mantle feels lackluster and there's too much empty space where the tree sat all December. But don't fret! To overcome the air of bleakness that often arrives after packing up all the tinsel, ornaments, and Christmas adornments, why not cozy up with some charming winter decor ideas to add around the home instead?

Sure, the holiday festivities are over until next year, but that doesn't mean you can't keep decorating your home! Below are some of our favorite decor ideas to make your winter home decorating a breeze.

Read more
5 stellar 2023 bathroom design trends you need to add to your home design
Bathrooms don't have to be boring - spruce up yours for the new year
Modern black and white bathroom with large tub

The new year is always a time for new beginnings, and what better way to start the new year off than with a new bathroom design? If you’ve been thinking about remodeling your bathroom, 2023 could be the year to finally take the plunge. We have five awesome bathroom design trend ideas that you will love -- keep reading to find out more from design experts about adding one (or more) of them to your home’s decor.
Technology
It seems like technology advances more every year, and 2023 will be no exception. Dave Adams, the VP of marketing, entertainment, and home office furniture at BDI, said, "You can expect technology to have a home in every room of the house."

Not only will smart home items, such as lightbulbs controlled by a central hub, continue to pop up in rooms like the bathroom, but expect to see more technology incorporated into items like showers and faucets. You don’t think you need a smart shower until you experience the luxury that is stepping into a preheated and steamy shower on a cold morning.
Home spa
Carrie Schulz, the head of design at Block Renovation, told us that an increasing trend in home bathroom design is to create a home spa -- a calming, warm space where you can relax. She suggested homeowners "work with natural materials, soft textures, and layered neutrals" to achieve this. A towel warmer in the corner will round out the day spa feel.

Read more