When I first moved into my current apartment, I was so excited to finally have a separate area for a dining space. I could finally imagine cozy dinners and hosting gatherings. It is also a versatile space—whether as a workspace or a place for game night with family or friends.
At first, I felt that my dining room had a slightly awkward shape, but I decided to work with it. It felt long in one direction and short in the other. One of the best ways to design your space is to work with what you have. Considering the size, shape, and what you have to start with will help make the room shine!
Essential pieces include the dining table and chairs. I had to choose this first. I would say my interior design style leans mostly transitional, which is a perfect blend of traditional and modern touches. This style is ideal for keeping your place timeless.
Keeping this in mind, I chose a mid-century modern-inspired dining table with splayed legs from The Brick. It was very affordable, and the size was perfect for the room. It was in a brown-grey color at the time, so that’s what I chose.
Now, it’s a faux-pas to choose an entire set that is exactly the same, especially if you are looking to create a more luxe and curated look. I decided to choose a set of traditional dining chairs from Homesense. I just love these French-Louis XVI-inspired chairs.
The chairs have a traditional look, and when paired with the modern table, I think they create the perfect juxtaposition and the right amount of visual interest. To enhance the contrast, I chose cream-colored chairs with soft wood tones. The shapes are also different, with the chairs having a rounder look and the table being more rectangular.
A room is almost never complete without a rug to ground the space. I really like the jute/sisal rug look, so I got a faux version from IKEA (the Lydersholm). It gives that natural texture that I absolutely love. I have this rug all over my home to create consistency.
Since the room lacked windows, I added a mirror hanging over the dining table, which helped create an additional open-concept feel throughout the main living space. The mirror is an original Hemnes from IKEA, which they no longer sell. However, you might still be able to find some on Facebook Marketplace—another favorite spot of mine to shop!
A renter-friendly update I made in the room was swapping out the ceiling light fixture. The old one just wasn’t working for me, so I added a pretty mid-century-inspired chandelier with black and gold hardware. I got it from Home Depot, though it is also available at multiple shops such as Canadian Tire and Walmart. It is the Artika Carter Pendant 8-light chandelier, and it’s a classic look. To balance out the modern light fixture above the table, I also added two gold traditional-looking sconces on either side of the mirror for a decorative touch. The sconces, which I found on Amazon, were a great deal.
To complete the look of the room, I added a piece of art and a sideboard table in the corner. I totally lucked out on the wall art—I found a Mediterranean oil painting, a REAL one, on Facebook Marketplace for a price you wouldn’t believe! Its rich blues and warm tones reminded me of a dreamy Mediterranean escape, adding just the right amount of color to the room. The white sideboard was beautiful, simple, and the perfect size for the space. I got it from IKEA, and it’s part of the Idanas series.
The final touch was décor. On the dining table, I added a soft grey tablecloth that I use as a runner. For the centerpiece, I chose a beautiful faux-wicker basket with a white pitcher in the middle, acting as a vase for two dozen faux roses that look beautiful all year round.
On the sideboard, I placed a lamp sitting on top of a couple of décor books. To the right, I added a pretty white pottery jar with a flower in it. You can never have too many flowers inside your home—they bring life to a space and even have been shown to boost mood and productivity. You can find many of these trinkets from Homesense.
Like with anything, putting this room together took time. Finding out what works best and saving up to get the right pieces is all part of the journey. I believe in making where we live a haven—when you love your space, you love where you live! I hope you found this interesting and helpful in your home décor journey. ||
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