Too Clichéd to Continue: Dining Room Designs That Are Going Out of Style
The dining room used to be an architectural feature of eighteenth-century homes! But then, it went out of style because of being too formal a setting.
From the mid-twentieth century onwards, the walls separating dining, kitchen, and living room started to disappear, giving birth to the casual kitchen-dining concept.
And here we are, standing in 2026, where the trend currently is a blend of both worlds! However, dining room design cliches that are going out of style still exist. And if you don’t want your dining room to exude a Victorian-era vibe (which feels too outdated, honestly!), explore this blog till the end to make sure of that!
Dining Room Decor Cliches You Should Stay Away from
An outdated dining space is a literal mood-killer! So, if you were thinking of adding a touch of opulence to it, transform your dining room into luxurious place with these great ideas, can definitely help you accomplish your goal!
That being said, here are some of the cliched dining room designs that reputed interior designers like Ellie Christopher and Barrett Oswald are warning you to stay away from-
- The Banquet-type Setting
A banquet-type setting in a dining room indeed accommodates more guests at the table. But, according to designers, this setting looks misplaced in a formal dining room in 2026.
According to Ellie Christopher, ‘Banquettes in formal dining rooms are losing steam. They look great in photos but rarely work in real life, especially when guests are climbing in and out during a dinner party.’
Instead, the designer suggests adding some upholstered furniture to add a contemporary flair to the otherwise antique furniture setting. She says, ‘For families, laminated or wipeable fabrics like leather keep things beautiful and livable. The goal now is a dining space that’s elegant but approachable – somewhere people actually want to linger.’
- All-matching Furniture
Another one of the outdated dining room decor trends is an all-matching furniture set- the ones where chairs and tables look the same, and suddenly, the dining room starts lacking character!
Instead, what you can do is juggle between different finishes or fabrics. This adds a certain character and makes the space feel more welcoming and cozy! However, if you’re on a budget crunch, designer Barrett Oswald suggests reupholstering some of the chairs to bring a fresh vibe to the place.
So, matching furniture might seem to be visually appealing, but it is one of the dated dining room features that are lost.
- Grand Chandeliers
Grand chandeliers were a must-have dining-room lighting fixture in the yesteryear, and were considered to be a status symbol. But those days are long gone, and oversized light fixtures have become dining room pieces that are outdated! Yena Jung, Founder and Creative Director of By Yena Designs, states, ‘large and heavy chandeliers are on their way out for dining rooms. The days of having a chandelier with dripping crystals to create a very formal look in a dining room aren’t what people are looking for now.’
In fact, since the kitchen-dining concept became the new fad, statement lights are slowly losing their importance in 2026. Instead, people nowadays are inclining more towards chic and sophisticated lighting fixtures for a soft, yet uniform glow that instantly sets the mood.
- Neutral Hues
Minimalistic dining rooms are also bidding farewell in 2026! Homeowners are increasingly opting for some character and depth in their dining rooms. Neutral tones like all-whites and beige are slowly fading out, and they are being replaced by richer hues like burgundy and chocolate brown.
Designer Barrett Oswald comments, “all-white, minimalist dining rooms are out. Warmth and saturation are returning, and you can incorporate this by layering natural wood tones, moody hues, and textured accents.”
Oswald also states that the fastest and also one of the most cost-effective ways to refresh the look of a dining room is to add a new coat of a vibrant shade. However, if budget constraints are bugging you, you can also opt for peel-and-stick wallpaper pattern for a revamped look. Similarly, adding a new area rug can also make your dining room feel more alive.
- Single-use Dinings
Until now, we were talking about dining room elements that are out of style. But now it’s time to address the whole dining room itself!
Yes, you read that right! Separate dining rooms have become an outdated thing. That’s because other than holiday gatherings, nowadays, a separate dining space becomes a dumping ground for old clothes!
And that’s exactly how the concept of open kitchen-dining, or a multifunctional space, found its way. Sandy Baisley and Natasia Smith, Co-owners and designers of Re-Find comments, ‘the single-use formal dining room is on its way out. Today’s dining spaces are evolving into multifunctional rooms that reflect how people actually live – not just where they eat a few times a year.’
Wrapping Up
Dining room design ideas have evolved a lot, and as of today, it is a space that homeowners like to thrive in, rather than use it occasionally. So, give your dining room a massive facelift by adding in elements or pieces that you think can add a unique touch and make the space more personalized and welcoming than ever!
F.A.Qs:
1. What is replacing dining rooms?
In 2026, formal dining rooms are being replaced by multi-functional spaces. The walls separating the dining, kitchen, and living rooms are disappearing, and the open-kitchen concept, or kitchen-dining concept, is slowly coming into the picture.
2. What to do in a dining room that is not being used?
If you have an unused, separate dining room, you can easily transform it into a library, a game room, or even replace the table and chairs with plush ones to give it a lounge-like feel!
3. How to improve the layout and decor of a dining room?
The best way to give your dining room a fresh look is to paint it! However, stick-on wallpapers can also do the job quite well. Other than that, you can add area rugs and enhance the overall decor with unique lighting fixtures. You can even reupholster those vintage chairs to make the space more cozy.
As a lifelong DIY enthusiast, Alex Barton is never afraid to go the extra mile to save a few bucks! From seamless interior decor hacks to effective DIY home renovation tips, he shares a myriad of his experiences for you to unleash your creativity.
