6 Decorating Mistakes That Make Your Dining Room Look Cheap

When most people aim to get their home hosting-ready, they often fixate on the kitchen or living room. After all, the kitchen is the heart of the home, and the living room is where the most convivial conversations happen after the dinner party. The dining room is often (unfairly) relegated to afterthought territory, but the most experienced entertainers know this space is a far cry from second fiddle. Whether you use it nightly or only savor it during holidays and special occasions, a well-appointed dining room is the perfect finishing touch to a mouthwatering meal.

“One of the biggest mistakes is treating the dining room as an afterthought,” says Meaghan Jay, an interior designer in Chicago. “Since it's often used less than other spaces, people tend to play it safe—but it's actually one of the best rooms to make a statement.”

However, just like a delectable dish, the details are what make or break a dining room. They’re the design equivalent of a thoughtful garnish or well-executed flambé. However, that means the opposite is also true: The wrong décor is unsavory and can unintentionally make your space feel cheap.

Fortunately, several interior designers are opening up about the design choices in your dining room that are making it feel cheap—plus, the easy tweaks that will set the groundwork for a more sophisticated space. With their insight, your next hosting stint will be hospitable and high-end.

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