our dining room isn’t finished the moment you’ve moved in all your furniture. No room feels fully complete until it’s been adorned with decor—and the same holds true in your dining room. Yes, you may have hung art on your walls or put a pretty mirror in your space, but have you considered what decor should live on your table in between meals and dinner parties?

Thankfully, dining room table decor ideas are abound—and the options are so vast and varied that you can easily find one that suits your space. There are colorful tablescapes, sleek centerpieces, and everything in between. And the best part: dining room table decor is temporary, so you can experiment with one idea today, and try another tomorrow. Scroll on to see some of the boldest, prettiest, and most delightful dining room table decor ideas we could find. 

01 Turn Your Candlesticks Into a Centerpiece

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Candlesticks make a classic addition to any dining room, and if yours are particularly pretty, let them serve as your centerpiece.

Pair a light wooden table in a sleek white room with black candlesticks and black candles to match. The bold centerpiece will attract the eye without disrupting your minimalist palette, adding contrast and cohesion to your space in equal measure.

02 Match Your Decor to Your Table

Most of us seek contrast in our centerpieces, and we look for bowls, vases, and candlesticks that will complement our dining room tables. But, why not look for pieces that will match it, instead?

A black bowl can look surprisingly eye-catching on a black dining room table—adding  visual interest while maintaining the sleek, sophisticated palette you’ve managed to curate.

03 Make Space for Fresh Flowers

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Fresh flowers are the cherry on top of any well-decorated space—and they make a stunning centerpiece. Sure, it can be a little frustrating to cycle through dining room table decor weekly, or slightly less frequently, if your flowers are particularly long-lasting. But, when the upside is a fresh, new centerpiece that looks and smells great, the tradeoff is worth it.

04 Cluster Your Favorite Pieces

When you place items close together, they look related, and this rule of thumb will make crafting creative centerpieces a whole lot easier. Simply cluster your decor together tightly enough, and suddenly, the whole will look greater than the sum of its parts.

05 Make the Most of Fresh Fruit

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Fresh fruit is an incredibly pretty thing, so why not take advantage of your just-bought produce and turn it into a centerpiece? Fresh oranges can add a pop of color and personality to an otherwise-minimalist space, and other kinds of fruit can make just as much of an impact.

06 Decorate Your Dining Room Bench, Instead

If you’ve paired your dining room table with a sprawling bench, consider decorating it instead. This will keep your table feeling neat and tidy while allowing you to add a touch of dynamic decor to your space.

Look for options that feel practical, like a plush throw or a few books. Decor looks out of place when it doesn’t make at least a little sense, so make sure yours suits the purpose of the bench and the room at large.

07 Pair Function With Form

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The best decor is both pretty and practical, so look for ways to integrate both into your space. Pair a lush plant with an appetizing snack tray, and watch as your dining room begins to feel even warmer and more welcoming—just be sure to replace the snacks on your snack tray. Otherwise, the decor choice isn’t actually that practical.

08 Use Dark Decor to Ground Your Space

Dark decor may seem like a bold choice for any space, but it can look absolutely lovely in your dining room. Stock up on sleek black pieces, and watch as they transform your space.

If the rest of your room is already dark and cozy, this decor choice will leave it feeling even more grounded. And if it’s lighter or brighter, they’ll add a welcome dose of contrast to your dining room.

09 Play Within One Palette

Clustering decor can get intimidating. There are so many colors, shapes, sizes, and textures to consider—and that’s a lot to keep track of. So, if you’re looking for an easier way to curate a clustered centerpiece, consider constraining your palette to just one color. By cutting back on the variety you’re playing with, you’re more likely to end up with something that feels balanced and cohesive.

10 Use a Tray to Keep Everything Organized

If a clustered centerpiece seems unwieldy to you, consider using a tray to keep things organized. The tray will add order to your decor, keeping your dining room table feeling neat and tidy. Since it will give you another decor element to play with, it might make your space feel more dynamic, too.