Your dining room is probably just sitting there most days, but you can easily combine your love for books with your dinner setup instead. It makes perfect sense to get double duty from that space.
These 30 tips will guide you in arranging shelves, picking good seating, and setting up lights to create a welcoming feel.
Light Wood Floating Shelves Display Books Above Dining Area
To incorporate your book collection into the dining space, install light wood floating shelves in a staggered arrangement above the table. You'll always have a read nearby.
Pale Pink Bookshelves Frame a Dining Area with Clear Chairs
Pale pink paint covers the large bookshelves that frame the dining area. Clear acrylic chairs contrast with the substantial wooden dining table and traditional built-in shelving.
Orange and Natural Wood Modular Shelves Frame a Dining Space
Modular shelving with bright orange cubbies offers a bold interior color against lighter wood exteriors. These units provide ample book storage.
They're especially useful for defining a dining area within a larger room.
Built-in Bench With Integrated Lighting Creates Ambiance
A built-in bench along the dining room wall can define the space. It features textured blue upholstery.
Subtle integrated lighting casts a warm glow, useful for evening meals.
White Shelving Unit Separates Dining Area
White, tall shelving defines the dining area. It separates the dining room from an adjacent space.
Built-in Bench With Integrated Storage Creates Cozy Dining Nook
Incorporate a custom wooden bench that wraps around your dining area. This built-in seating has integrated storage drawers below.
They're perfect for stashing away placemats, napkins, or extra dining essentials.
Gallery Wall Above Long White Bookshelves
If you have a long white bookshelf, arrange a diverse collection of framed art and photographs above it.
Stack Books on Your Dining Table for Instant Decor
Art books or novels placed on the dining table become a decorative element. Stacked horizontally, they offer a stable base for a vase of flowers or other accents.
Curved White Shelves Wrap Around a Cozy Dining Nook
If you want to frame a dining area with a built-in look, extend your bookshelves into the corner. Smooth, curved white shelves can integrate around a banquette seating arrangement.
Wooden Ladder Grants Access to High Bookshelves
Position a rolling wooden ladder against a wall of built-in shelving, which lets you reach every book on even the tallest bookshelves. No book is out of reach.
Bright Yellow Built-In Shelving Frames a Dining Area
Integrate bold, built-in shelving into your dining space for a cheerful and functional focal point. This bright yellow unit, fitted snugly into an angled wall and reaching the ceiling, offers ample room for books and decor.
Red Rolling Ladder Grants Access to High Bookshelves
When your books are stacked high, a rolling ladder on a metal track makes reaching them effortless. This system works with a deep wooden bookshelf unit to use all vertical space.
White Tulip Chairs Complement a Wood Dining Table
Sculptural white tulip chairs offer a sleek contrast to a warm, natural wood table. They provide a modern seating option.
Round Wood Table With Striped Chairs Creates Cozy Reading Nook
Surround a round wooden table with chairs that have blue and white striped cushions. It's a good spot for reading within the bookshelves.
Grouped Potted Plants Add Centerpiece Interest
Place two or three potted plants on your dining table. The textured planters and greenery make a natural centerpiece.
Candles In Recycled Bottles Add Whimsical Dining Accents
Repurpose empty wine or spirit bottles as unique candle holders. Simply place a taper candle into the neck of a green glass bottle.
This creates an unexpected, colorful centerpiece detail.
Ornate Mirror Reflects Bookshelves and Adds Grandeur
A tall, antique-style mirror with a gilded frame reflects the surrounding bookshelves. This placement doubles the visual impact of your book collection.
Framed Art Above Built-In Shelves Adds Personal Style
Hang a large piece of framed artwork above your built-in bookshelves. This abstract piece will break up the visual line of the shelving.
Pillar Legs Add Bold Color To A Wooden Dining Table
With thick, cylindrical pillar legs painted a striking teal, a table for meals gains a contemporary look. This unexpected hue firmly grounds the timber's natural shades.
It introduces a playful yet refined detail to the eating zone.
Wooden Dining Table Anchored by a Persian Rug
A rustic, chunky wooden dining table pairs with a richly patterned Persian rug. The table's natural wood tones and the rug's colorful, varied patterns bring texture to the dining area.
This richly patterned floor covering grounds the space with its warm hues.
White Tulip Chairs With Bright Cushions Add Color
Crisp white chair bases contrast with deep fuchsia cushions on iconic tulip chairs. This pairing creates a lively dining setup.
Oval Wood Table Anchored by a Bold Geometric Rug
Ground your oval wooden dining table with a bold red rug. Its bold, abstract geometric pattern injects energetic color into the space.
Natural Wood Chairs Pair With Glass Dining Table
If you want a light, airy dining area, pair bentwood chairs with woven seats around a dark glass-topped table. The chairs' wood and the table's glass create a modern combination.
Cane and Black Chairs Pair With a Reclaimed Wood Dining Table
Pair woven cane chairs with black frames around a large, round dining table made from reclaimed wood. The combination brings a natural, textured feel to the space.
Oval Wood Table With Woven Seat Chairs Creates Natural Dining Area
An oval wood dining table sits with chairs that have woven rush seats. The wood and the rush material bring texture to the dining space.
It's a relaxed setting.
Textured Pendant Lights Add Organic Interest Above Dining Area
Three pendant lights with unique, organic shapes hang above the dining table, their varied textures and muted tones softening the backdrop of extensive bookshelves. This adds a sculptural element.
White Shelving Unit Creates a Functional Book Display
A modular white shelving unit offers ample space for organizing books and decorative items. Its clean lines and neutral color blend seamlessly into the room.
Woven Cane Vases Add Natural Texture To A Round Dining Table
In the center of your round dining table, two woven cane vases hold a generous arrangement of greenery. They're cylindrical, with one taller than the other.
Glossy Black Pedestal Table Anchors White Chairs
If you're looking to ground a dining space, a high-gloss black pedestal table reflects the white chairs and nearby bookshelves. Its substantial, reflective base contrasts with the chairs' clean lines and the classic book spines.
Velvet Dining Chairs Add Pops of Color to a Wood Table
Plush velvet chairs in bold hues like olive green and bright orange can bring unexpected color to your dining space. These seats pair well with a warm wood dining table.
It's a lively setting for meals.
