6 Dining Room Trends You Should Definitely Skip, Designers Say

Dining rooms are having a moment. After years of quick meals at kitchen islands and takeout eaten on the couch, we’re returning to long dinners, candlelight, real conversation, and spaces designed for gathering. However, as this space comes back into focus, so do the trends—and while some are worthy of investment, others are better left behind.

The goal isn’t to chase what’s new, but to build a space that feels warm, functional, and reflective of the way you actually live. That might mean moodier lighting, textural linens, or a handcrafted table that will earn every scratch and memory. Maybe it’s simply editing out the pieces that no longer bring you joy.

Here, we spoke to experts about which dining room trends you should definitely skip—and what to embrace instead.

A Table That's Too Wide

Before you invest in a grand, oversized table, think about how it will actually function. “Nothing kills the fun of a dinner party more than when the table is too wide to talk to others across from you,” says Thomas Hamel, principal of Thomas Hamel & Associates.

A dining table should pull people together, not push them apart. A narrower option encourages shared stories and laughter all across the table. 

Overstimulating Elements

We're in the age of the tablescape—patterned tablecloths, layered plates, colorful glassware, and flowers abound. It's joyful and dramatic, and it deserves attention. The issue is when the rest of the room mirrors it. “Loud upholstery, complex artwork, or too many patterns can overwhelm the setting and dilute the effect," says Hamel.

A beautiful table needs breathing room. When the backdrop is calm and considered, every detail has more impact.

Matching Dining Sets

You don't need a perfectly matching table-and-chair set. In fact, that’s exactly what designers are moving away from. “I think they remove character,” says Alyssa Anselmo, interior architect and founder of Anva Studio. “It feels more commercial than curated.”

To avoid that catalogue look, she recommends mixing opposites. A heavy table pairs well with light chairs; a sleek timber option with a delicate fabric needs metal seating to balance it out. “When the pieces don’t all match, the room suddenly feels layered, collected, and far more interesting to live with," she says.

Accent Walls

Accent walls are out for 2026. In the dining room, especially, Anselmo says that this approach visually chops up the room, drawing attention to only one thing. “Dining rooms benefit from harmony, not competition,” she says.

Painting all the walls the same color—and carrying it onto the ceiling—creates a cocoon that feels restful and sophisticated. The effect is subtle, but the payoff is big.

Oversized Industrial Lighting

Oversized industrial pendants had a moment, but their heavy black forms tend to swallow a dining room whole, pulling the eye away from everything else. “I love sculptural lighting, and I actually prefer large-scale, but the key is choosing pieces that feel airy, rather than visually heavy," says Anselmo.

Her advice is to look for shapes with softness, open structure, or glass that lets light move through the room. When the size feels intentional, the impact becomes elegant, rather than overbearing.

Gray-Washed and Cool Tones

The grey-on-grey look seems nice on a Pinterest board, but it often comes at the cost of personality. Texture becomes harder to read, wood loses its glow, and the room feels more gallery than gathering place.

If your dining room feels flat, then Anselmo suggests reintroducing an element with natural warmth. “Even one piece with patina, like a vintage chair, or flooring with honey in the grain, can shift the entire mood from frosty to inviting," she says.