How Can You Make Large Dining Rooms Feel More Inviting?

by Mae Osz on Dec 27, 2025

Have you ever stood in a grand, open dining area and wondered how to make it feel less like a hall and more like a home? I certainly have. The main challenge with large dining rooms is that while they are impressive, they can sometimes feel a bit cold or impersonal.

My goal here is to share some of my favourite creative and practical ideas for transforming these magnificent spaces.

I believe the right decor, especially wall art, is fundamental to making it feel cosy and welcoming.

These tips will help you create a space perfect for both quiet family meals and lively dinner parties.

List of Contents

Defining Intimate Zones with Furniture and Rugs
The Art of Illuminating Large Dining Rooms
Using Colour and Wall Art to Create a Mood
Smart Storage Solutions for Spacious Settings
The Finishing Touches: Personalisation and Natural Warmth

Defining Intimate Zones with Furniture and Rugs

One of the best ways to approach how to decorate a large dining room is to think about creating 'rooms within a room'.

This design concept, known as zoning, is my first step in taming a cavernous space. A large, plush rug placed under the dining table and chairs is the perfect way to anchor the main dining zone, instantly defining it as a distinct area.

It immediately adds warmth and texture underfoot. From there, it’s all about the furniture. I always advise choosing a substantial dining table that feels appropriate for the room's scale. A small table will only get lost.

Recently, I’ve loved the trend for curved furniture; a round table or chairs with soft, rounded arms can beautifully break up the straight lines of a big room, making it feel much friendlier.

To create a cosy nook, you could place a couple of comfortable armchairs and a small side table in a corner. This creates a lovely secondary zone for pre-dinner chats or after-dinner drinks.

Ultimately, zoning makes even very large dining rooms feel more manageable and intimate. Finding the right pieces is key, and you can find beautiful options in our collection of home furniture.

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The Art of Illuminating Large Dining Rooms

Lighting is such a powerful tool for setting the mood, especially in spacious areas.

In large dining rooms, a single overhead light is rarely enough. In fact, it often creates a stark, unwelcoming glare.

The secret is to layer your lighting. I always start with the main fixture. A fantastic piece of statement lighting for dining room tables, like a large, sculptural pendant or a dramatic chandelier hung relatively low, creates a strong focal point.

This also forms an intimate 'canopy' of light over the dining area. Finishes like matte black or warm brass are very popular right now and add a touch of modern sophistication.

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Next, you should think about secondary lighting. Wall sconces, a floor lamp in a corner, or a pair of table lamps on a sideboard are essential.

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These extra layers of light, I find, cast a soft, warm glow around the room's perimeter, banishing dark corners and making the entire space feel cosier.

My most important tip is to install dimmer switches for all your lights. This gives you complete control over the atmosphere, allowing you to dial the brightness up for a lively celebration or down for a quiet, romantic dinner.

Using Colour and Wall Art to Create a Mood

The colours and art you choose can dramatically change a room's atmosphere. While light colours are known to make a space feel bigger, rich, deep hues can work wonders in large dining rooms.

Shades like forest green, deep navy, or even a warm charcoal can make a grand space feel more intimate and enveloping. If you're not ready to commit to painting all four walls, consider a feature wall with textured wallpaper.

A subtle botanical or a sophisticated geometric print can add wonderful depth and interest without being overwhelming. Now, this is where you can truly express your personal style: the wall art.

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In large dining rooms, you have the luxury of scale, so don't be afraid to go big! I often advise choosing one oversized piece of canvas art or creating a curated gallery wall. This is one of the best inviting dining room ideas to add personality.

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For a calming atmosphere, I often recommend abstract art prints with soft, blended colours or a large-scale landscape. For a more formal feel, a symmetrical arrangement of framed prints from our dining room wall art UK collection works beautifully.

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Art gives the walls a purpose, draws the eye, and prevents the room from feeling empty and unfinished.

Colour Palette Effects in Large Dining Rooms
Feature	Warm Palette (Reds, Oranges, Earth Tones)	Cool Palette (Blues, Greens, Greys)
Overall Mood	Cosy, energetic, sociable	Calm, serene, sophisticated
Perception of Space	Makes the room feel more intimate and enclosed	Creates a sense of spaciousness and tranquility
Best For...	Creating a vibrant, welcoming hub for entertaining	Designing a formal, elegant, or peaceful dining retreat
Pairs Well With	Dark woods, brass accents, plush textiles	Light woods, chrome/silver finishes, minimalist decor

Smart Storage Solutions for Spacious Settings

Storage is not just a practical necessity; it's also a brilliant decorative asset in large dining rooms.

Pieces like sideboards, buffets, or credenzas do more than just hide away your tableware.

A long, elegant sideboard placed along one wall can visually anchor the entire room. It also provides a perfect surface for creating a beautiful display.

You can use it to showcase beautiful home decor accessories, add a layer of lighting with a pair of lamps, or simply use it as a serving station when you have guests.

You should also think about using the vertical space, especially if you have high ceilings.

If you have high ceilings, consider tall, glass-fronted cabinets or even built-in shelving.

These are fantastic for displaying your best glassware, china, or ceramics. This adds so much personality and visual interest, filling the vertical plane and making the room feel more complete and less cavernous.

Well-chosen storage is a key element in designing functional and beautiful spaces, helping to reduce clutter while adding a huge amount of style.

The Finishing Touches: Personalisation and Natural Warmth

This final layer is what truly makes a house feel like a home. It’s all about adding personal touches that reflect your personality, which is so important for counteracting any potential formality in a large space.

I love using natural materials to create a grounding effect. Warm woods, whether in the furniture or accessories, are perfect for this. You can also add softness and create some cosy dining room decor by incorporating textiles.

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Adding softness through home decor textiles like a simple table runner, beautifully upholstered chairs, or elegant, floor-sweeping curtains can instantly make a room feel more welcoming.

I also highly recommend bringing nature indoors. A large potted plant, like a Fiddle Leaf Fig or a Kentia Palm, adds life, colour, and a lovely organic shape to a corner.

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Bringing life and organic shape into the room with a large plant can create a truly tranquil environment, helping you to feed your spirit right at home.

Finally, think about your centrepiece. It doesn't have to be a formal floral arrangement. A collection of candles in varying heights, a beautiful ceramic bowl, or a tray of personal trinkets can create a lovely, relaxed focal point.

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These small details really do make all the difference.

More About…

Embark on a journey of turning your spacious dining area into a cosy haven. Learn how to choose furniture, lighting, and art that create intimacy. Join us as we explore the topic of How Can You Make Large Dining Rooms Feel More Inviting? Click here to uncover more inspiration and tips for decorating expansive living spaces.

Pro Tips…

Feeling inspired? If you'd like to see more examples of how beautiful wall art can transform a space, have a look through our Content Hub

If you want to see these ideas in action, our Content hub offers plenty of visuals to guide you. Discover inspiring Home decor tips and trends to suit a variety of styles and moods.

I hope this guide inspires you to view wall art as both a decorative element and a powerful tool for creating a sanctuary tailored to your relaxation needs.
Which style are you leaning towards? Let me know—I’d love to hear your ideas!

1. What size rug should I get for large dining rooms?

The rug should be large enough so that when you pull the chairs out to sit down, all four legs of the chair remain on the rug. A good rule of thumb I follow is to have the rug extend at least 60cm (24 inches) beyond the table on all sides.

2. How do I choose art for a large dining room wall?

My advice is to go for scale. A single oversized piece often works much better than several small ones, which can look a bit lost on a large wall. Choose colours that complement your room's palette and a subject that sets the mood you want, whether that's calm and abstract or bold and dramatic. This is a key consideration for large dining rooms.

3. Can you mix modern and traditional styles in large dining rooms?

Absolutely! I think it adds so much character. For example, you could pair a traditional wooden dining table with modern, minimalist chairs, or hang a contemporary piece of abstract art in a room with classic architectural details. The contrast makes the design far more interesting.