As excited as we are about summer when it first rolls around each year, by mid-August we’re often just over it. Once-balmy weather is now oppressive heat, often combined with a sucker punch of humidity. So now it’s fall that we’re starting to eagerly anticipate. Is it our imagination, or is there a slightly crisper edge to the air these days?
Whatever it is, this week’s Instagram trends mark that subtle transition perfectly—with five cozy dining room designs that have us feeling a little more ready to welcome the harvest season. Let these decor ideas inspire you as we head into the final dog days of summer.
1. Vintage farm stand signs
There’s nothing quite like a vintage farm stand sign (like this one from @diapersanddecor) to lend some character to your dining room this season.
“Vintage farm stand signs add a rustic touch to your modern dining room,” says designer Rachel Moore, of Madison Modern Home. “With everything else so new and shiny, it’s important to breathe a little bit of soul back into the space.”
Get the look: Shop the amazing collection from Etsy to find your perfect vintage farm stand sign.
2. DIY distressed hutch
Speaking of making the modern feel classic, this distressed hutch from @dweaverwhite is the perfect thing to give your dining room some warm vintage vibes.
“Designers love using distressed hutches because they bring a sense of history to a home, like something that was passed down from generation to generation,” says Moore. “They can be easily DIY’d by picking up a traditional piece at a thrift store and painting with whitewash wood stain. Fill the shelves with modern pottery or ceramics to play the textures off of each other.”
Get the look: Shop your local thrift stores, then try this whitewash DIY technique to re-create the look.
3. Antique plates
The harvest season is baked in tradition, which is another reason this charming arrangement of antique plates from @heidicaillierdesign makes our list.
“Using antique plates as decor gives your dining room an authentic antique feel,” says designer Andra DelMonico, of Trendey. “It’s easy to find vintage plates at your local antiques store. They come in various designs, from soft colors and subtle designs to vibrant colors and intricate scenes. Choose a selection to create your gallery wall, and don’t be afraid to get creative with the plates you choose. They won’t all have to be perfectly round, and you can add visual interest by choosing specialty plates that have a decorative edge or unique shape.”
Get the look: Don’t have a favorite local antiques store? Check out this collection on Etsy.
4. Hand-painted wallpaper
It’s hard to imagine a time when wallpaper was still hand-painted, but we assure you it was (and on a much smaller scale, still is) a thing—and we absolutely love the way it completes this dining room from @graciestudio.
“This type of wallpaper is referred to as chinoiserie,” says DelMonico. “It’s a wallpaper treatment influenced by designs from China. The bottom half of the wallpaper is hand-painted, while the top half is left blank. This allows for the wallpaper to be used on walls of different heights. Commit to using this wallpaper throughout an entire room or on a long wall. The design will never repeat, so you’ll want plenty of wall space to feature it completely.”
Get the look: Shop this exact wallpaper (or one of its other amazing designs) directly from Gracie Studio.
5. Rustic leather chairs
Want to lend some antique vibes to your space but aren’t quite ready to make the wallpaper plunge? Then this subtle addition from @klinteriors might be just the thing.
“Leather and wood dining chairs bring the best of both worlds, a striking masculinity balanced with the comfort of a plush cushion,” says Moore. “Pull one of these up to a wood table of a different finish, or go for contrast with a glossy lacquer table to complete the look.”
Get the look: Steal the look (and fall in love) with these Fenton leather dining side chairs from Pottery Barn.
