7 Dining Room Trends for 2024 Designers Can't Wait to See

With 2023 drawing to a close, interior designers and design enthusiasts alike are already looking ahead to the New Year and the trends that are expected to be big. From trending colors to lighting trends, living room trends, bathroom trends, and more, design experts are excitedly preparing for what 2024 will bring.

If this year’s dining room trend predictions can be boiled down to a single sentence it’s this: formal dining rooms and traditional design are expected to make a comeback, but with a fresh and functional twist.

Here are seven dining room trends for 2024 to get excited about, according to design experts.

Statement Lighting

The use of statement lighting has been big in interior design for the past few years with no signs of slowing down. So it may come as no surprise that it's predicted to be popular in dining room design in the new year. Statement lighting creates a dramatic focal point in dining room designs, instantly elevating the space.

“These fixtures range from oversized chandeliers to custom-designed pendants, not only illuminating the dining area but also doubling as works of art,” says San Francisco-based interior designer Tineke Triggs.

Vibrant Paint Choices

Bye-bye white walls—2024 is set to be the year of bold, vibrant paint choices for dining rooms. Keep an eye out for jewel tones and rich, moody color palettes that create a sense of drama and sophistication, Triggs says. Think deep blues, emerald greens, and rich berry tones paired with metallic accents and luxurious fabrics.

“These hues provide a cozy, intimate atmosphere, perfect for elegant dining experiences,” Triggs says.

Wall Treatments

Wall treatments like wallpaper, wall paneling, 3D textured treatments, decorative crown molding, stone features, and more are set to be big in the new year, according to interior design experts. These types of wall treatments are incredibly versatile and diverse, making them well-suited to nearly any design style. Plus, they instantly add depth and personality to a space. Bold colors, floral patterns, and natural textures and materials are particularly popular, designers say.

The Comeback of Upholstery

Upholstery in the dining room used to be all the rage, with upholstered dining chairs being a staple of traditional design. However, for years many homeowners shied away from upholstery for practical reasons, particularly if they had kids or pets in the home. Now that performance fabrics are widely available and accessible, designer Megan Molten says that upholstery is about to make a major comeback.

“With the advancement of performance fabrics and the array of options including fun patterns and colors, we have been having so much fun with upholstered dining chair options around the table,” she says.

Interior designer Jaimie Belew agrees, noting that upholstered dining chairs with varying textures and patterns are a great way to bring depth and character to dining spaces, which is something homeowners are increasingly looking for.

Banquette Seating

Banquette seating, or bench seating, which is traditionally seen in small breakfast nooks or kitchen/dining combos, is set to make its way into dining rooms in 2024, says Lauren Wills Grover, founder of Houston-based interior design firm Wills Design Associates. Not only is it functional, space-saving, and comfortable, but banquette seating provides an opportunity to get creative with fabric and add an extra element to your dining room design.

Embracing Multi-Use Spaces

Dedicated dining spaces are making a comeback over large open-concept spaces, but interior design experts predict that in 2024, dining rooms will be more than just a space for eating formal meals.

“I see them turning into spaces with a fun mood and vibe to host and entertain since formal dining rooms are used so infrequently,” says Bre Hance, founder and principal designer of Los Angeles-based design and build firm InHance.

Add a standalone bar, piano, casual seating area, bookshelves, or whatever else suits your personality.

“Like a cool communal space, you would find in a luxury hotel lobby, complete with fun wall treatments, interesting lighting, cool flooring designs, or a statement rug!” Hance says.

Functionality First

Functionality is becoming a priority in many areas of the home, so it comes as no surprise that it is set to be big in dining room design too. Tables with extendable leaves, built-in cabinetry for added storage, multi-purpose chairs, and more are all great ways to add more function to a dining room. This trend goes hand-in-hand with the concept of creating a multi-use space—after all, what use is a dining room if it never gets used?

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Read the original article on The Spruce.