Light fixtures are often front and center in a dining room, and play a major role in setting the tone. Designers are moving away from sparkly crystal drops towards more sculptural designs. Designer Sam Sacks makes her trad velvet-upholstered dining chairs look more futuristic with an articulated, sculptural fixture.

Warm metals and brass have made serious inroads into all corners of the design world. Gold and brass-toned tableware was once super scarce, but now many brands carry a version of this major trend.

In designer Wendy Davis’s home, two rare Warhol prints of Mick Jagger give the minimalist dining room a shot of star power.

Fresh white panels are a quiet counterpoint in this exuberant floral-wallpapered dining room. Don’t forget to use drapery hardware as jewelry: the brass finish matches the pendant light.

Don’t underestimate the power of a new tablecloth and napkins. This floral stunner picks up the colors of the china pattern to rich effect, and the layering creates major drama.

Appetite is often triggered by colors such as red, but hues on the cooler spectrum are livable and calming. Create an enveloping sensory experience with a dark, moody paint, such as deep forest green.

Mirrors give dimension and depth to a room, and don’t pass up a chance to reflect candlelight glow in a dining room to add a more festive atmosphere.

Rugs are an effective way to inject pattern and color into a dining room, and they create a welcoming softness underfoot — the perfect way to make holiday guests feel at home.

Give chairs a mini makeover with a Scandi staple, the fleece throw. It makes long dinner parties so comfortable for guests, they may never want to leave.

Designer Grace Castaneda sewed a heavy, gold bullion fringe to the DIY velvet tablecloth in her country home for the holidays to dress up the chunky, rustic style of the table and give it some extra presence.