How to Wow Your Guests With a Dramatic Dining Room

There’s no better room in which to indulge your dramatic decorating fantasies than the dining room, where you can create a space that’s great for entertaining. Whether your dining area is open-plan style and includes the kitchen, or you have the luxury of a separate room, think like a set designer and add some decadent touches to stimulate the senses and create a cocoon where guests will want to linger and chat well into the night.

Max out on mirrors. A mirrored wall can be a great way of achieving a dramatic effect – as well as giving the illusion of more space. Cover an entire wall or just the chimney breast or alcoves for a truly opulent feel. The addition of a star-shaped mirror on this chimney breast really adds a pow to this room. Tie the look together with glass, silver and other reflective accessories.

It’s the attention to detail that really makes this room work so well, as the vertical lines on the mirrored table edge echo the lines of the dramatic chandelier.


Go large on wall art. Think beyond the two-dimensional when it comes to your wall art. For big impact, giant illuminated letters conjure up a carnival vibe. A subdued wall color behind will help your signage sing.


Set the stage. Dramatic design doesn’t always have to be busy and over-the-top. A simple backdrop with just two or three statement pieces — such as the unusual lighting and faux taxidermy here — will give the items space to breathe and enhance their effect.


Be bold with lighting. Think theatrical and opt for multiple eye-catching pendant lights suspended at different heights. Consider mixing up the colors and materials, too. Alternatively, create your own cluster of vintage shades or customize old top hats — with the help of an electrician — for dramatic pendants on a budget.


Mismatch your table and chairs. A traditional table with contemporary chairs, or vice versa, instantly adds drama. By breaking the “rule” of matching, you’ll feel less rigid about the rest of your scheme and will be able to accessorize with an eclectic mix spanning different eras and styles.


Add a statement sideboard. There are so many beautiful pieces of dining room furniture that work both for storage and dramatic display. Buy a statement piece or liven up an old favorite with new handles, legs or both.


Invest in a showcase table. The dining table is the star of the show, so consider materials other than wood for added wow. Marble is elegant and perfect for a chic mood. Modern marble composites (crushed marble in resin) that are more durable than natural stone are also available.


Consider table shape. A rectangular table is the default choice, but a circular or square one with pairs of chairs on each side can be more sociable if you’re entertaining lots of guests. For maximum impact make it as big as the room allows, with a statement light that matches the scale of the table.

Before buying, consider creating a paper template using the table’s dimensions to ensure there’s ample room for maneuvering — and no costly errors.

How to Choose the Right Dining Table


Use large-scale wallpaper. A big pattern is often more dramatic than a smaller one. If you have the luxury of a separate dining room, consider covering all four walls, but a feature wall can also work well.

If you’re tempted by a dramatic pattern but want a more restrained look, try breaking up the walls with a chair rail and paint the top part in a shimmering solid shade.

Considering Wallpaper? Here’s How to Get Started


Stash the drinks. An elegant retro drinks cabinet is one thing, but how about a hidden bar area? Convert a cupboard by adding a built-in fridge and a mirrored wall with glass shelving to show off your spirits — or use an antique screen to create a separate zone.

More: Key Measurements for Planning the Perfect Dining Room

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