Dining rooms tend to stay undecorated for longer than other areas of the home, since they’re not in use as much as, say, the kitchen or living room (unless you’re a champion hostess putting the rest of us to shame).

If you’re stuck when trying to style your midcentury dining room, you’re not alone—and since simply plopping down some vintage furniture finds and calling it a day isn’t enough, we’ve rounded up some of the most inspiring midcentury dining spaces on Instagram to help you elevate your dining area instantly. Who knows? Maybe you’ll be hosting a midcentury dinner party of your own pretty soon. 

01 Wallpaper a Nook

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An easy way to liven up your dining room nook? Add wallpaper that has playful or artistic patterns and colors. Whether you choose to add art over top or leave it bare is up to you, but you can't go wrong with adding an accent wall or nook to showcase your creative side.

02 Make Room for Mirrors

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Metal Frame Round Wall Mirror - Oversized Circle Mirror with Distressed Black Frame - Handmade Wall Mirror, Bathroom-Safe Design for Bedroom, Living Room, and Bathroom

We all know the old trick about mirrors making rooms feel bigger, but in a dining room, they do so much more. From elevating the vibe of your next soirée to dramatically reflecting candlelight from your tablescape, mirrors can really do wonders when placed the right way. In a dining room, you can opt for smaller, round mirrors to get the look you want.

03 Keep It Natural

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Coastal-Inspired Abaca Rope Linear Iron Chandelier – Dimmer Compatible, Durable Construction, Ideal for Dining Room and Modern Living Room Fixtures

Celebrate the natural beauty of Danish modern design—exemplified by iconic pieces like wishbone chairs—by incorporating textured elements throughout your space. We especially love how a woven rattan light fixture adds warmth and handcrafted charm, creating a balanced and inviting ambiance that epitomizes the midcentury style.

04 Add Layers

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Textiles go a long way toward softening the look of midcentury furniture’s super-sleek lines—if you let them. Personalize each perch for a dinner party (or anytime) with cozy throw pillows and blankets to put an eclectic spin on the space.

05 Add Traditional Elements

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Minimalist Elegance Architectural 2-Light Tapered Pendant: Angular and Minimalist Design for Dining, Bedroom, and Living Room Illumination

You can opt to keep things traditional to some extent, even with a modern style. Clean-lined, shaker-style chairs and other similar styles can coexist peacefully with midcentury pieces that share a geometric bent. Add a markedly MCM light fixture to complete the balance, as these crafty homeowners have.

06 Opt For Rustic Charm

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A beautiful aspect of midcentury modern is its ability to blend well with other styles—including a rustic approach. Given how natural finishes are a common staple in these designs, the pairing is ideal. Lighter woods with open shelving, a neutral color scheme, and distinct pieces like the curved midcentury chairs to allow the dining room to stand out from the rest come together to create a cozy, charming space.

07 Try a Minimalist Approach

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Minimalism isn't a requirement for MCM style, but it does pair beautifully with it. Rather than covering the walls in dećor and bold paint, stick to a mostly white palette, natural accents, and keep the decorative items to a minimum to create a striking impact.

08 Focus on Statement Lighting

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Mid-Century Modern Blown Glass Globe Chandelier - Adjustable Height with Two-Toned Metals for Dining Room, Living Room, and Sitting Room Lighting

Statement lighting is a perfect way embrace your midcentury design in the dining room. Whether you choose a geometric fixture, something sleek and streamlined, or something out of the box, your lighting is a perfect way to blend function with style.

09 Make the Most of Muted Tones

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Neutral colors and radiant color schemes are both represented well in this style, but you can still find a happy medium while decorating your dining space. Muted tones allow you to add a dose of color without overpowering the room, and these tones work exceptionally well with the natural finishes and designs of midcentury themes.

10 Use Cane Back Chairs

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Speaking of chairs, they are usually the star of the show when entering a dining room. Midcentury modern style is often defined by sharp lines and geometric shapes, so implementing chairs that include both of those factors is a surefire way to create the space you're dreaming of—such as cane chairs. These chairs are a staple of midcentury modern design, blending form and function together in a powerful way.