The dining room is one place in the house that must be well thought out, both in design and function. Because this room is the gathering place for family and friends to celebrate such a wide range of events, it should be warm and inviting while also dynamic enough to be both a formal dining space and a meeting spot for family game night.
Farmhouse design is becoming an increasingly popular choice for dining rooms because it can offer just that. The rustic elements bring tranquil and comfortable energy while the traditional aspects, such as the large table and solid wood elements, contribute to a more upscale aesthetic. Long story short, farmhouse dining rooms seamlessly bring both elegant and cozy styles all in one space.
Read on to learn a few of our favorite creative ways to bring the farmhouse look into your dining room.
Tend to the walls
Paint can go a long way in brightening up a room. Many traditional homes rely on darker paint to bring a moody, mature vibe to the room, but covering the walls in lighter, more neutral hues will really make the dining room pop. You can always incorporate dark stained wood and other moody accents to bring the drama.
If your dining room happens to have a wallpaper that you adore, keep one wall as an accent wall and strip the rest. Wallpaper is a bold design choice, and using it on a single feature wall, instead of the entire room, gives you more flexibility to go bigger with more striking decor. We love this Bernardi Botanical design from Wayfair, as its neutral palette pairs well with just about any decor, and the light floral pattern adds some texture.
For a more involved redecoration project, consider constructing wainscoting along the perimeter to really drive home the modern farmhouse look.
Find a neutral rug
Rugs are a great way to change the look of a room without blowing your budget. This Ralph Lauren cream rug from Overstock is a simple, timeless option that won’t go out of style any time soon. If you prefer a little more character, choose rugs with patterns like damask or stripes. Additionally, a natural rug can pull the whole space together and add texture to the room, especially if it’s made of jute or has raised patterns woven in.
Light it up
Placing a farmhouse light above your dining room table makes for a statement piece that is sure to impress all of your guests. We love this pendant light from Wayfair because it mixes gold and glass, both of which complement a farmhouse design, regardless of whether you opt for a more rustic or modern aesthetic. If you really want your light to say, “sit down and stay awhile,” check out this Virage eight-light cluster option, also on Wayfair. This fixture provides simple elegance to the room, so it’s perfect for a space that’s already filled with bold features.
Painted furniture
Whether it’s your dining room table, rolling bar cart, or armchairs, painted furniture is an easy way to bring a little color to the room. This is a great opportunity to inject your personality into the dining room, incorporating your favorite colors, textures, and patterns. If you’re in the market for a new piece of furniture, this buffet from Pottery Barn is a stunning choice for a farmhouse dining room. Even better, it’s crafted from solid hardwood, so you can customize it with your favorite stain or wood-safe paint.
With these easy and inexpensive design ideas, you can transform your existing dining room into a farmhouse oasis, all without turning to demolition or another expensive remodeling project. With a little help, you can paint, wallpaper, and decorate the room all within a weekend, effectively upgrading the room overnight.
Before you know it, you’ll be ready to invite family and friends over to enjoy a meal in your new space, and the farmhouse aesthetic is sure to make the dining room the heart of the home. Just fair warning, they may like it so much they’ll never leave!
