Your 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 Match Your Decor to Your Table

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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.

02 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.

03 Mix and Match Your Vases

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Vases are a no-fail addition to any space that could use a little decor, and if you have a few stunning options worth showcasing, display them all at once. Mix and match vases of different sizes and colors, and remember that you don’t have to fill all of them with plants.

If the vases echo colors that are already in your home’s palette, they’ll fit right into your space. And if they don’t, look for options that will complement your dining room decor.

04 Cement Your Palette

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

Your centerpiece can be a great place to add new color to your space, but it also offers an opportunity to cement the palette you already have. Keep an eye on some of the accent shades in your space, and choose a centerpiece that matches them.

05 Mix and Match Your Candlesticks

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Modern Aluminum Taper Candle Holder with Powdercoated Finish - Elegant Candle Stand for Home Decor, Perfect for Living Room and Dining Room

Often, we see candlesticks that match each other perfectly, but a less uniform set can look just as great in your space. Consider stocking up on single candlesticks that resemble each other slightly, but not perfectly, and adorn your dining room table with them.

You’ll end up with a tablescape that feels dynamic, but cohesive. And since you’re curating the set yourself, you can make it as vibrant or as sleek as you want it to be.

06 Double Up

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Architectural Tapered Shades Chandelier: Angular, Contract Grade Design with Sophisticated Tapered Shades for Dining Room, Living Room, and Bedroom Lighting

Your centerpiece doesn’t have to be just one item—and it doesn’t have to be a cluster of items, either. Instead, it can be a pair of statement-making pieces.

Create contrast by combining a taller item with a shorter one, or create balance by pairing items of similar heights. If you focus on highlighting items you love, you’re bound to end up with a very delightful centerpiece.

07 Keep It Simple

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If you’re navigating a smaller space like a dining nook, don’t unnecessarily weigh yourself down with decor. Yes, you want your space to be pretty—but you also want it to be functional.

Look for ways to add smaller pops of visual flair—you might be surprised to discover how much of an impact a teeny-tiny vase can make.

08 When in Doubt, Feature Your Favorites

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Curating a tablescape can get overwhelming. Options are abound, and it can be hard to know which centerpiece is right for your space. Start by simply identifying a few pieces you love, and display them all at once.

If one doesn’t look right, remove it and replace it with another piece you love. Keep the focus on showcasing your favorites, and something is bound to come together.