The minimalist dining room is everywhere you look these days—Instagram, interior design magazines, TV shows—and it’s been trending in recent years as more people embrace its serene simplicity.
The basic tenet of minimalist design—less is more—sounds counterintuitive. How can subtracting or limiting items add up to a more impactful space? Especially in the dining room? For decades, this domestic sanctum has been reserved for formal meals on rarely used china under the glow of ornate chandeliers. Not anymore.
The modern minimalist dining room represents a dramatic swing of the interior design pendulum. Furniture has shifted from bulky to sleek, and there’s less of it. Darker hues and busy patterns have been replaced by neutrals and more subtle or singular pops of color. Symmetry and uniformity have been abandoned in favor of randomness and abstraction.
As in fashion, dressing down shouldn’t equate to giving up. Some misinterpret minimalism as spartan, cold or boring. It’s quite the opposite. The minimalist dining room can be a strikingly simple and incredibly inviting space. Here are our rules for hitting the minimalist mark in the room where memories are made over meals.
1. Start by decluttering your dining room.
Look around your dining room. Are there knick-knacks, wall hangings or useless pieces of furniture cramping its style? Ditch that claustrophobic energy for clear-headedness by focusing on the essentials.
For many, minimalism is more about mental health than being tidy or trendy. An uncomplicated space with clean lines, fewer objects and less obtrusive colors can positively influence your state of mind and, therefore, your mood. Surfaces in your minimalist dining room should be free of items, save an accent or two, and gratuitous furnishings removed from the floor to draw the eye up.
Remember, minimalism isn’t about stripping your dining room down. It’s about creating a uniquely unassuming space that gives off a truly therapeutic vibe.
2. Opt for quaint, quality furniture.
Choosing the right furniture is paramount for your minimalist dining room. A dining table that’s too bulky or dark will devour negative space and usher in disharmony. Imposing chairs will also upend your equilibrium. Follow our Q2 rule by picking quaint, quality furniture that centers the space.
Look for tapered legs, lighter woods and a splash of sophistication when shopping for a dining room table. Some tables stand on stylishly simple legs, while others have a base that incorporates metal or geometric shapes for visual interest. Narrow, rectangular tables exude minimalism, but round dining tables work well in smaller areas and offer more leg room. Follow your taste, but always err on the side of a more reserved look.
Seating in a minimalist dining room doesn’t have to be part of a table set. Consider purchasing chairs separately to complement your table. Experiment with colors, textures and materials like wicker and velvet. Just don’t stray too far from a streamlined form underscoring your uncomplicated ambiance.
3. Make a statement with lighting, artwork or wall paint.
Even a minimalist dining room needs a focal point, so don’t be afraid to make a statement. A funky light fixture, disarming painting or cheerful wall color are great options, but settle on just one. Competing elements will only detract from the balance you’ve worked so hard to achieve.
The possibilities are endless when choosing a statement piece for your dining room. Floor your guests with a ravishing rug or catch their eye with an abstract sculpture. Put your spirits on display with a swanky bar cart. The rule here is to add gravitas without weighing down your dining room.
4. When in doubt, look to nature.
If you’re a bit reluctant to go bold, that’s quite all right. The neutral-and-natural aesthetic meshes quite nicely with minimalism. Incorporating wood patterns, live plants and natural light will give your dining room that grounded feel that’s good for the soul.
Start with a minimalist dining table set crafted from solid wood. Untreated or lighter wood has a discreet appeal that’s ideal for your pared-down decor. The natural palette and soothing grains bring the forest indoors, augmenting the spirit of sturdiness, stability and, of course, simplicity. Wood, it seems, directly influences our well-being.
Neutral tones bathed in sunlight will brighten up your dining room and illuminate the calm of your clutter-free sanctuary. If possible, eliminate window treatments or at the very least select sheer ones that won’t sabotage your minimalist mojo. A carefully placed plant or two provides the perfect punch of chlorophyll for contrast. Want even more green? Try a living plant wall.
If you’re ready to make the move to a minimalist dining room or overhaul the one you already have, be sure to browse our selection of dining tables and chairs. Not sure what you need? Contact us today to connect with one of our interior design consultants.
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