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How to Decorate the Perfect White Dining room

The colour white gives any room a sense of calm and serenity, creating a relaxing atmosphere for family dinners or social dining. In a smaller room, it can make the space feel open and larger, providing an excellent background to highlight brighter colours or varying textures and materials. Here are our 6 essential tips for creating the perfect white dining room.
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Modern white ceramic and glass topped dining table

1. Make a white backdrop to highlight other colours

White dining room ideas generally start with the colour of the walls – but the decision doesn’t stop there. There are hundreds of different shades of white paint available, with hints of yellow and green to give more warmth and depth, or blue and grey for a cooler vibe.

Once you have chosen your wall colour, you could look for dining tables and chairs in any colour. Grey dining chairs could be an option, or you could choose a black dining table for a monochrome look.

White wallpaper will add texture to the walls, and it’s available in a range of textured patterns. Go with oak dining furniture or industrial style with a natural wood and metal dining set.

If you want white flooring too, painted white wood, a cream carpet or pale ceramic tiles will all work. For real luxury, try white marble or limestone.

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2. White dining room furniture against a dark backdrop

Give your white dining room ideas an unexpected twist by painting the walls in a completely different colour – something bold, or even dark and moody. Then add lots of white dining room furniture, which will stand out beautifully.

The main focal point of any dining room, regardless of the colour scheme, is the table and chairs. A high gloss white dining table can give a futuristic, modern look, whereas a white-washed wooden table will channel a certain shabby-chic feel. Get a white extending dining table if you only tend to host large numbers on certain occasions.

When it comes to white dining chairs, again there are multiple options, from white fabric dining chairs for a more traditional feel, to a white leather dining chair to complement the modern look. Try an upholstered dining bench for something less formal.

If you’re going with a dark backdrop to showcase white dining room furniture, add plenty of floor lamps and ceiling lights to keep things light and bright.

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White painted metal and wood modern ceiling light
Round white painted and wood dining table

3. Try a white country dining room

One of the most effective white dining room ideas is to lean towards a country feel. Introduce wooden dining room furniture to warm up the space, the natural tones will complement the white walls.

Wood with white is a simple and timeless combination. Make a wood dining table the focal point, where family and guests can gather round on wooden chairs, perhaps with a white cushion on each chair for added comfort.

Add pops of colour and enhance the country dining theme with some colourful crockery. Try showing off plates of varying sizes in a wooden display cabinet or on some wooden shelves.

If you have a countrified setting already – perhaps you live in a cottage, with wooden beams on the ceiling – then try some painted white dining room furniture to create an interesting contrast.

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4. Go for a modern white dining room

A modern white dining room can ooze style and substance. You could look to the latest white dining room furniture, with modern design-led pieces, or try an industrial look, featuring dining furniture of wood with metal fixtures.

A dining room painted white is the perfect complement to Scandi design – letting character shine through in your accessories and furniture. Look to a wooden dining set to give the space form and function, with a large white bookcase or display cabinet, in the same colour as the backdrop, to give a platform for showing personal items.

Glossy white dining sets, ceramic topped dining sets and glass dining sets offer a clean, simple look that’s perfect for the modern dining room. Alternatively, white and grey with wood can feel sophisticated, and you can add some bright decorative touches, with an accent colour following through in your accessories. Wall art with hints of pink or green, matched with pink cushions or a green vase work well here.

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White dining room ideas – ultra modern white
White dining room ideas: round white framed mirror

5. Create a traditional white dining room

A more traditional white dining room can look fabulous. Elegant, yet also comfortable and intimate, a classic dining set will last your family for years. For a simple dining room, a wooden or painted white round dining table is perfect for family gatherings at breakfast and relaxed mealtimes, and is more compact if you are working with limited space. Add dining chairs with metal legs, a chandelier and a metal wall clock to give this traditional look some edge.If you’re tempted by something grander, look for white dining room furniture in the elaborate French style. Paired with a simple white rug or bare floorboards, with a subtle grey wallpaper, this gives a clean finish with a splash of intrigue.

Touches of gold can work well in a traditional white setting. Keep it subtle, as not to overwhelm, featured in the table décor, and with accessories such as a gold mirror.

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6. Introduce white accessories and soft furnishings

A white dining room theme is not just about white décor or white dining room furniture. Once your walls, flooring and furniture have been selected, that’s when the real fun begins! If you’ve opted for an all-white interior, you can continue the theme with ice cool table decorations to match.

Pure white, fine china looks and feels luxurious, and is a special treat for dinner guests when they come to visit. White crockery also enhances the appearance of food. If you want to add a hint of colour, then select crockery with fine metallic detailing, such a gold rim or coloured edging.

Placemats are available in white stone, which looks fantastic if you have opted for a wooden dining table, as the textures contrast well.

For added warmth and comfort, try adding white cushions or a white rug. Some wall art in a white frame, or a white mirror, make the perfect finishing touches.

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White dining room ideas – large white rug

We hope that you feel inspired by our white dining room ideas. For more home styling tips, visit our Home of Inspiration

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