Decorating & Design
December 22, 2020
These 45+ Dining Rooms Are Fit For A Holiday Feast
‘Tis the season for virtual holiday hosting! Even though things look a little different this year, it doesn’t mean you have to skip on decorating the dining table. Be inspired by these 45+ dining rooms decked out for the holidays and plan your place settings in advance, just like you would plan your holiday menu!
“For me, the holidays are about clementines, natural boughs and greenery that make the house smell wonderful,” says homeowner and designer Cynthia Zamaria. In her magical dining room, she topped the table with fresh pomegranates, dried orange slices and an eclectic mix of candles.
A painterly linen runner sets the tone for this look, then it’s all about the mix: silver flatware with gold-toned chopsticks, light plates with dark ones, and a muted linen napkin placed beneath a striking cobalt bowl.
This historic cottage in Chester, Nova Scotia, is a storybook setting for Christmas dinner with mix-and-match china, vintage cranberry glassware and simple roses in bud vases.
If you want to give your tabletop an edge, try decorating with dark green candles (instead of black) to pay homage to the season. Pine boughs, pomegranates and wooden beads make a gorgeous organic centerpiece.
“On the table, I’ve used colorful elements that play off the mobile and other art,” says Lynda Reeves about her Christmas home. “The placemats are by Chilewich in rose gold, the plates are stone-colored and very simple, and the combination of Waterford crystal champagne flutes, stemless rose-colored tumblers and fabulous blue-and-white painted water glasses is playful and fun. The napkins in chartreuse linen are an old set that I treasure for the amazing color that’s so hard to find. The handmade crackers are the finishing touch.”
Designer Alison Milne layered her dining room table with a delectable charcuterie board which pops against the mulberry-colored runner. This casual style of grazing is perfect for an intimate family gathering.
In this enchanting farmhouse, a spacious harvest table with mismatched chairs suits the charm of the old stone walls and exposed beams on the ceiling. An antique baker’s rack displays the homeowner’s collection of Wedgwood and ironstone dishes.
“With this table, it’s all about mixing and matching,” says designer Aly Velji of his merry holiday home. “We layered a simple white linen table cloth with hand-painted, geometric-patterned placements, rectangular plates, vintage floral-inspired accent plates and brass cutlery for some bling. I also used vintage glassware that I have been collecting for years. Plus, fresh florals are a must for any table. Evergreens and eucalyptus are my favorite.”
This maximalist dining room in a Georgian holiday home shines with a tablecloth made from Moroccan wedding blankets. A floating floral arrangement is an unexpected alternative to fresh greenery.
Rich browns and golds are balanced by a graphic mudcloth runner and a classic cream plate for a look that feels fresh and modern. A pinecone is an unexpected, rustic touch.
Creative director Tara Hurst proves that sometimes, less is more in her farmhouse-style dining room. White serveware, casual linens and plenty of fresh greenery is the secret recipe for highlighting the antique French bistro chairs and built-in hutch.
“While we have to sacrifice not having all of our loved ones around our table, there’s no need to compromise high style,” says event planner Lisa Marie Godinho. “Mixing various textures adds dimension to this tablescape — from luxurious velvets to lush greens and richly-colored florals.”
Emerald green and soft gold is the perfect color combination for a special occasion; add a rustic burlap napkin, and this look has instant depth and dimension.
Christmas in the English countryside is even more magical than you would expect! Designer Emma Sims-Hilditch arranged a simple holiday table with elegant candles and fresh holly. The exposed brick and handsome hutch only add to the authentic charm and character.
How sweet are these miniature burlap-wrapped pine trees? They’re a fresh alternative to a floral arrangement. Simple linens and plates stamped with a snowflake motif keep the tablescape feeling unfussy yet festive.
An old general store was converted into a gothic-inspired gathering place for Christmas. “When we’re entertaining, dimmed chandeliers, candles and blazing fireplaces are essential to creating a convivial holiday atmosphere,” says designer Elle Patille.
Clear glassware and silver pieces are punctuated by copper flatware and spice-hued accessories for a look that’s wintry yet warm.
“I used buffalo plaid napkins, a jute runner and artificial greenery (you’d never guess!) for my holiday table setting,” says designer Sun Ah Brock of LUX Decor. “The paperwhite bulbs and cedar branches look so real, so I didn’t hesitate to use them in abundance to create a festive look that will last the entire holiday season. Placing ornaments on the plates really adds a festive touch, even when the colors are more muted and neutral.”
Simple gold-trimmed plates would suit formal occasions all year round, but when paired with mercury glass votives and aged golden flatware the setting is extra special.
Long fringe detailing on the edges of this tablecloth create wow-factor, while a magnolia leaf wreath brings whimsy to the window.
Pears are the perfect addition to your holiday place settings — they’re inexpensive, easy to find and offer big impact. Small arrangements of cedar clippings and winter berries look nice sprinkled throughout the table.
A tufted bench makes an elegant perch in this transitional dining room.
For the traditionalists at heart, a long tablecloth that kisses the floor creates drama in the dining room.
Nature-loving decorators will appreciate the rustic simplicity of a pine cone and evergreen clipping atop their place setting. This look works especially well for daytime hosting, like breakfast on Christmas morning or a holiday brunch.
Pale blue is a nice match for dark black in this formal space.
The perfect balance of rustic and regal is achieved by pairing real pinecones with luxe gold flatware and a glittery golden charger.
Meals at the cottage can be just as elegant as city meals. Here, a pair of wing chairs command attention at the end of this long walnut table, while tall gold candlesticks achieve height.
Dark and dramatic, this dining room is fit for a royal feast. Deep red wine glasses and bountiful greenery feel rich.
Unique antler-inspired candleholders and a vibrant throw blanket draped over each chair give this dining room personality.
Touches of pink sprinkled throughout this space and the warm glow of mercury glass candles create an enchanting atmosphere.
A selection of tall candlesticks is just what this traditional dining room, complete with a chandelier and fine china, needed.
This cozy lodge looks like an ideal spot to share a holiday meal. Dramatic black windsor-style chairs pop against the mostly wood space.
A high-gloss emerald table and spikey chandelier set the stage for memorable meals in this space.
Eucalyptus fills out the center of this dining table, located in a white-washed farmhouse.
Bowls of clementines (a holiday staple) act as centerpieces in this funky dining room.
Play up copper, one of the year’s hottest metals, on your dining table with a selection of side plates. A few copper accents can go along way, so keep your regular dishes in the mix.
In the dining area of this Ontario farmhouse, vintage chairs in varying shades of green and white bring eclectic charm. “I paid $10 or $15 for each one. I think there’s enough new stuff in the world,” says homeowner Pheona Wright.
Sugarplum purple and crisp white plates with a traditional border are offset with a relaxed linen runner.
Fresh in the summer and cool in the winter, mint works year-round on the tabletop.
Greenery is a fresh, long-lasting alternative to flowers in this timeless dining room.
A delicate gold dot pattern is a subtle and special holiday touch on these white plates. Traditional potted ivy is a long-lasting centerpiece.
Painting nearly everything in a custom teal was a gutsy move that paid off in this dining room.
Bring a French bistro feel to your next dinner party with authentic “reserved” signs.
Vessels with handfuls of fragrant evergreen and eucalyptus branches and sprigs of pepperberries infuse this dining room with a fresh, wintry smell.
A magnolia garland decorates the 19th century Dominican sideboard in this dining room.
A plum and light blue plaid tablecloth is sure to make a lasting impression on your holiday guests.
A mid-century modern Saarinen table is paired with Art Deco-style upholstered chairs and a traditional banquette in this dining room.
A pair of angular stools are a mod counterpoint to the rustic reclaimed-wood harvest table in this dining room.
Twentieth-century touches, like playful pink glasses, bring this dining room’s formality down a touch.