Creative Ideas for Your Dining Room Wall
From texture and pattern to useful shelving, there are many ways to add personality to your dining space
Amanda Pollard
27 December 2018
Senior Editor at Houzz UK and Ireland. Journalist and editor specialising in interiors and architecture.
Senior Editor at Houzz UK and Ireland. Journalist and editor specialising in interiors... More
Looking for ways to boost the character and cosiness of your dining area? By adding a simple design element to the wall, you can transform the whole room. Check out these creative ideas to see how you can make your eating area look both gorgeous and inviting.
Play with paper
Bring an intimate feel to your dining area by using pattern on the wall. In this open-plan space, the dining zone is separated from the rest of the room by a surface of patterned wallpaper. By adding a covering like this, the designers have made the area cosier than the more functional kitchen nearby.
Houseplants and leaf-patterned cushions help to tie the dining and living spaces together to bring balance to the room as a whole.
Bring an intimate feel to your dining area by using pattern on the wall. In this open-plan space, the dining zone is separated from the rest of the room by a surface of patterned wallpaper. By adding a covering like this, the designers have made the area cosier than the more functional kitchen nearby.
Houseplants and leaf-patterned cushions help to tie the dining and living spaces together to bring balance to the room as a whole.
Plump for panelling
In this dining area, a built-in bench seat is framed by a wall of tongue-and-groove panelling. The neat row of lines adds texture to the space and visually pulls the dining furniture towards it.
Panels like these are an ideal mix of contemporary and country, so they work with a variety of table designs. Here, the rustic dining set is given a modern twist by the crisp lines on the wall.
In this dining area, a built-in bench seat is framed by a wall of tongue-and-groove panelling. The neat row of lines adds texture to the space and visually pulls the dining furniture towards it.
Panels like these are an ideal mix of contemporary and country, so they work with a variety of table designs. Here, the rustic dining set is given a modern twist by the crisp lines on the wall.
Highlight with artwork
A huge print or painting can form an anchor to bring a number of elements together. Take this dining space, for example – the large artwork forms a striking surface to showcase the table and chairs.
To give the scheme a cohesive look, the designers have chosen chairs in similar colours to those in the picture.
Find prints and posters in the Houzz Shop.
A huge print or painting can form an anchor to bring a number of elements together. Take this dining space, for example – the large artwork forms a striking surface to showcase the table and chairs.
To give the scheme a cohesive look, the designers have chosen chairs in similar colours to those in the picture.
Find prints and posters in the Houzz Shop.
Go for a gallery
If you don’t fancy one large picture, try grouping a number of frames together to make a gallery wall above your dining table. Arrange them in a balanced pattern, as the homeowners have done here, to create an interesting backdrop to your eating area.
Consider laying out the artwork so the whole display is a similar length to your dining table, as this will help to tie the wall and furniture together.
If you don’t fancy one large picture, try grouping a number of frames together to make a gallery wall above your dining table. Arrange them in a balanced pattern, as the homeowners have done here, to create an interesting backdrop to your eating area.
Consider laying out the artwork so the whole display is a similar length to your dining table, as this will help to tie the wall and furniture together.
Add depth with shelving
In an open-plan space, it could be worth making your dining area wall multi-functional. Take a look at this room for a clever idea – the owners have created a wall behind the dining table to help separate it from the living area.
Not only does it divide the two zones and make the eating area feel cosier, it also works as storage for the dining space and the seating spot behind.
If you don’t have an open-plan room, a row of shelves on the wall next to the dining table where you can display attractive crockery and glassware will add interest as well as storage.
Need some help with a project like this? Read reviews of carpenters and joiners near you.
In an open-plan space, it could be worth making your dining area wall multi-functional. Take a look at this room for a clever idea – the owners have created a wall behind the dining table to help separate it from the living area.
Not only does it divide the two zones and make the eating area feel cosier, it also works as storage for the dining space and the seating spot behind.
If you don’t have an open-plan room, a row of shelves on the wall next to the dining table where you can display attractive crockery and glassware will add interest as well as storage.
Need some help with a project like this? Read reviews of carpenters and joiners near you.
Big up brick
A great way to add texture to a dining area in an open-plan space is with exposed brick. Section off the wall behind the table and leave it unpainted.
Here, the white walls in the rest of the space contrast with the earthy tones of the brick wall, marking out the dining area and giving it a cosy, interesting feel.
If exposing brick isn’t an option in your home, check out some of the realistic brick-effect panels or trompe l’oeil wallpapers available.
A great way to add texture to a dining area in an open-plan space is with exposed brick. Section off the wall behind the table and leave it unpainted.
Here, the white walls in the rest of the space contrast with the earthy tones of the brick wall, marking out the dining area and giving it a cosy, interesting feel.
If exposing brick isn’t an option in your home, check out some of the realistic brick-effect panels or trompe l’oeil wallpapers available.
Get creative with crockery
For an interesting look, curate a collection of plates to display behind your dining room table. Hanging plates on the wall isn’t a new idea, but it can be brought up to date by choosing contemporary designs for the crockery.
Here, the bright colours and modern illustrations on the plates give a fun twist to the traditional idea. The designers have complemented the plates with the colours in the upholstery to give a balanced feel to the space.
Tell us…
How have you decorated your dining room wall? Which of these ideas would you go for in your space? Share your thoughts in the Comments section.
For an interesting look, curate a collection of plates to display behind your dining room table. Hanging plates on the wall isn’t a new idea, but it can be brought up to date by choosing contemporary designs for the crockery.
Here, the bright colours and modern illustrations on the plates give a fun twist to the traditional idea. The designers have complemented the plates with the colours in the upholstery to give a balanced feel to the space.
Tell us…
How have you decorated your dining room wall? Which of these ideas would you go for in your space? Share your thoughts in the Comments section.
Related Stories
Lofts
Lofts: Aim High and Fall in Love With Your Attic
By Lara Sargent
We could all use an extra room, so why not look to your loft and transform the space in your roof into something fabulous?
Full Story
Utility Rooms
How to Stylishly Integrate a Laundry Space
By Jo Simmons
With their practical role, utility rooms are often designed with function rather than form in mind, but it doesn’t have to be that way...
Full Story
Utility Rooms
The 5 Most Popular Laundry Rooms on Houzz Right Now
Get decorating ideas for your laundry or utility room from these most-saved photos on Houzz
Full Story
Living Rooms
8 Mistakes to Avoid in Your Small Living Room
Swerve these common design errors to make a big impact in your compact sitting room
Full Story
Dining Rooms
The 5 Most Popular Dining Rooms on Houzz Right Now
By Kate Burt
Vintage furniture, great lighting and top tables – feast your eyes on dining room ideas collated from your own clicks
Full Story
Storage & Organisation
7 Ideas for Children’s Bookshelves
Need bookshelf or book storage ideas for your kid’s bedroom? Browse these stylish rooms for inspiration
Full Story
Utility Rooms
15 Richly Coloured Utility Rooms
The trend for strong, earthy tones has reached the utility room, with hues from plum to ochre to deep green adding depth
Full Story
Colour
8 Ways to Work a Rust Red and Blue Palette in the Bedroom
By Kate Burt
We’re seeing variations of this combination all over Houzz right now. Check out these tips for trying it yourself
Full Story
Lofts
How Do I Begin a Loft Conversion?
Wondering where to start when converting your loft? Ask yourself these questions to ensure you plan well
Full Story
Living Rooms
Where Designers Would Spend and Save in a Living Room
By Cheryl F
It’s your main relaxation space, so what should you splurge or scrimp on in the living room?
Full Story
Pic 2. I love that table. Wow!