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Not everyone is lucky enough to have space for a formal dining room (shoutout to you, apartment-dwellers!). But if you are #blessed enough to find yourself with one, you might start to feel like that blessing is...well, more of a curse. Dining rooms tend to stay un-decorated 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 mid-century 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 mid-century dining spaces on Instagram to help you elevate your dining area instantly. Who knows? Maybe you’ll be hosting a mid-century dinner party of your own pretty soon.
Make Room for Mirrors
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.
Try topping off double doors with a set of mirrors to amplify the elegant effect.
Get Into Art
One of the easiest mid-century finds to snap up? Vintage art. Whether you opt for the kitschy-cool paint-by-numbers pieces that populate most thrift stores nowadays, or choose something a little more subtle (block-print giraffes a la Pete Campbell’s apartment, perhaps?), coordinating with art from the era can lend a more authentic vibe to your dining area.
Add Traditional Elements
These glass-front built-ins are a showstopper—but if you look closely, they’re not the only traditional aspect in the space. Clean-lined, shaker-style chairs and other similar styles can coexist peacefully with mid-century pieces that share a geometric bent. Add a markedly MCM light fixture to complete the balance, like these crafty homeowners have.