In today’s social media world of stories, reels and incredibly curated newsfeeds, a home’s dining room has now become so much more than a place to eat.
We’re all now utilizing our dining rooms as a stage for celebrations, connection, and all sorts of visual storytelling. Whether you’re hosting an elegant dinner party or a cozy brunch, the way your dining room is styled plays a major role in terms of how memorable your at-home experiences feel both online and in person.
Below we’re going to detail more about how creating Instagram-worthy dining spaces isn’t necessarily about perfection, because it’s now all about smart styling, thoughtful layers, and an inviting atmosphere that makes your guests want to linger a little longer!
Starting Out With A Strong Décor Foundation
Every awesome dining room design starts with clear visual bases. This includes things like your floors, walls and main furniture pieces.
Softly toned or neutral walls often provide a more flexible backdrop that allows you to get more creative with your décor. Neutral walls can also go a long way to make your food shine in photos and videos. Natural textures like linen, wood and stone should also be added into your dining room’s foundation in order to add extra warmth for both ambient and natural lighting.
Another huge part of your décor foundation is ensuring that your dining room table feels proportional to the allotted space. If your table is too big, it’ll make your dining room feel cramped; however, if it’s too small, it’ll likely appear underwhelming on camera. This is why you should choose chairs that are both comfortable and visually interesting, which can include popular features like curved backs, woven seats, and soft upholstery that adds softness and depth to your Instagram feed.
Building Atmosphere Through Layered Lighting
Lighting is an incredibly important element when you’re hoping to create a photogenic dining room. Statement chandeliers or pendants over your table will go a long way to create the type of visual anchor that draws people’s eyes upward—which subsequently gives added dimension to your photos.
Be sure to also implement layered lighting strategies that complement your overhead lights like wall sconces, candles and table lamps in nearby areas. This will help you develop a flow-filled, cozy environment that’ll have your guests feeling extra comfortable during your dinner parties.
Warm lighting just so happens to be particularly flattering for both food and people, and this is because it enhances textures, softens shadows, and makes your entire space feel much more intimate!
Styling Your Dining Room With 6×9 Rugs
One of the easiest and most effective ways to elevate the aesthetics of your dining room is to invest in a high-quality 6×9 area rug to improve how everything comes together on camera.
The good news for today’s homeowners is that shopping for 6×9 rugs online on sites like Rug Source has made finding the perfect flooring décor options easier than ever, and this particular size works in most dining spaces due to it visually grounding an entire setup of chairs and a table.
And from a styling standpoint, 6×9 rugs go a long way to define dining rooms—particularly in open-concept floorplans. You’ll be able to naturally frame your table and make it stand out in your photos, while also giving the entire space a more intentional, polished look. Rug patterns also add visual interest, whereas subtle textures prevent the space from coming off too flat.
You should also make sure that your new area rug complements your table’s aesthetics, as opposed to competes with them. Gentle geometric patterns, soft neutral palettes, and muted floral designs all tend to photograph well and not distract from a dining room’s centerpieces.
Curating An Insta-Worthy Table Setting
Your dining room’s table is always the big entertaining star, which is why you’ll want to incorporate touches like cloth napkins, layered place settings, and textured chargers to elevate your table’s look. You should also consider mixing in materials like glass, ceramic and wood to create uncluttered depth.
Your table’s centerpiece should also come off as abundant, but not too overwhelming. Consider some low arrangements like fresh flowers, greenery, or a collection of candles that come at variable heights.
These types of table elements will help you add dimension to your pictures, while also keeping sightlines open between you and your guests.
Using Personal Décor
Creating an Instagram-worthy dining room doesn’t mean being sterile. There are all sorts of ways that you can add authenticity and personality to your space, including wall art, vases, and many other aesthetically pleasing elements.
These smaller details often make dining rooms feel warmer and more lived-in, which tends to resonate a lot more than spaces that come off as perfectly staged.
Keep Your Dining Room Comfortable
Lastly, you should always remember that your home’s entertainment spaces are supposed to be inviting. Cozy textures, soft seating, and many thoughtful layers will encourage your guests to relax—which will make for the best Instagram moments.
By anchoring your room with 6×9 rugs, adding in layered lighting and styling the space with intention, there’s absolutely no denying that your dining room will become the type of space that people love to come together in—and the space that you love to photograph!
