Now that the holiday season is in full swing, the dining room tends to be booked for meals, parties, and other gatherings. But what are the secrets to dining rooms that are utilized year-round? According to the interior designers we interviewed, it’s all about creating spaces that people genuinely want to be in.
“I usually start out with, ‘How do you want your dining room to feel? How do you want to use your dining room?’” says Morgan Brown of Castle Design. “Do you host dinner parties? Is this just for Thanksgiving or formal entertaining, or is this something that you’re going to use every day? Do you have kids?”
Get a weekly dose of home and style inspiration
Subscribe to the St. Louis Design+Home newsletter to explore the latest stories from the local interior design, fashion, and retail scene.
These questions help designers and clients determine how to make the space both functional and inviting. Regardless of other factors like personal taste or lifestyle, one thing is certain. Comfort is critical.
“Comfortable chairs are essential so that you can have long conversations rather than wanting to get up as soon as dinner is over,” says Brown. “That will get anybody in and sitting around, having an extra glass of wine,” adds Lauren Sweet-Schuler of Studio Sweet-Schuler.
But it’s not just the physical comfort of chairs that makes people want to spend time in a space. Layered design elements, like rugs, drapery, and furniture can make a room feel cozy yet fresh. “Investing in the layers is key to making a room comfortable and inviting,” says Sweet-Schuler.
When comfort is prioritized, says Kate Griesedieck of Griesedieck Design, the dining room is less likely to sit empty between holidays and special occasions.
“People think of it as a wasted space, but I don’t,” she says. “If you make the space comfortable, it’s nice to be able to all sit in the dining room, even if it’s just your family.”
Function is just as important as comfort, and making sure every piece of furniture—outside of just a table and chairs—plays an important role in the space ensures the dining room is both aesthetically pleasing and useful for day-to-day life.
“We always love to have some sort of serving piece, whether it be a console table or something with storage. We always want to have somewhere to bring in extra food for serving or overflow or having more hors d’oeuvres,” says Sweet-Schuler. “A nice tall cabinet is always really nice to hold extra glassware, extra napkins, and all the candles or anything you use for a tablescape.”
Designing a dining room for everyday life also makes holiday decorating easier. Focusing on the furniture and other major elements, like wallpaper and drapery, allows accessories to become secondary and easily rotated for the season.
“I personally love changing my dining room for each season. It takes 30 minutes,” Griesedieck says. “People don’t have to spend that much money: placemats, napkins, candles, those kinds of things can completely switch up the feel.”
Beyond the holidays, incorporating meaningful art or objects is a great way to spruce up a space with a touch of personalization.
“Dining rooms are actually really fun for incorporating art that often tells a story and is reflective of the client and their family history,” says Sweet-Schuler. “It becomes a more interesting space when it reflects the homeowner.”
Brown echoes that idea, noting that personalization is part of what makes a dining room inviting year-round.
“Even when it’s not a holiday, having art or objects that tell a story becomes a conversation piece when entertaining,” Brown says, “and it’s enjoyable for the family every day.”
Ultimately, all three designers agree that a well-designed dining room balances comfort, function, and personal expression. Whether it’s a casual weeknight dinner, a holiday feast, or a game night with friends, the goal is the same: for the dining room to become a space where people feel compelled to spend time together.
