Dining Room Features Designers Say You Should Retire

The Spruce•January 5, 2026•business

Key Points:

Traditional matching dining sets with heavy, formal tables and perfectly coordinated chairs are considered outdated, as they can feel rigid and less inviting in modern homes; mixing styles and textures is now preferred to create a more relaxed and engaging atmosphere.
Bulky wooden dining furniture is less suitable for today's open-concept homes because it occupies too much space; designers recommend sleek, mixed-material tables to avoid a dull, boardroom-like feel.
Large, ornate chandeliers are seen as too grand and dominating for current minimalist and simple design trends; subtle lighting fixtures are favored to maintain a clean and relaxed dining room ambiance.
Formal window treatments such as heavy fabrics and valances can make dining areas look old-fashioned and block natural light; simpler options like Roman shades or