For many, Valentine’s Day is a day to spend with loved ones and maybe go out for a fancy dinner at your favorite restaurant. Chances are, your Valentine’s Day will be spent from home this year. Whether you’re planning a Zoom Valentine’s Day gathering with your friends or spending the evening in with some great takeout food, there are many cozy dining room ideas you can incorporate this February 14th. With the advice from design and décor experts living in Atlanta, GA, all the way to Portland, OR, find out what cozy dining room ideas will knock this Valentine’s Day out of the park.
Valentine’s décor doesn’t have to be seasonal. Instead of getting art or décor that is Valentine’s Day driven, decorate/gift loved ones art that incorporates the heart motif but can be displayed all year round. I am all about versatile pieces that can seem thematic when they need to but can also withstand all seasons. – Elyssa Dorf, Cheery Designs
Use removable wallpaper to spruce up your space. Whether you’re planning a romantic night in with the one you love or a Zoom Galentine’s party with rosé and candy hearts, a little preparation goes a long way in making this year just as memorable as Valentine’s Days past. One way to set a festive atmosphere is with removable wallpaper or decals in punchy pink and red hues. – Tempaper
DIY flower arrangement kits make a great centerpiece. Other than traditional flower bouquets, order a flower arrangement DIY kit delivered directly to your doorstep for an unforgettable experience and quality time to enjoy at home. Perfect for making a beautiful centerpiece for your dining room as many of us will have Valentine’s Day dinner at home this year. – Jing Bai, ArrangingBox
Adorn your Valentine’s Day dining table with beautiful crystals. They’ll promote feelings of unconditional love, connection, attraction and harmony to really hone in the spirit of the love holiday. Crystals like rose quartz are equally stylish and elegant as they are instrumental in positive vibes that are perfect for you and your Valentine. – Olivia Young, Conscious Items
Small decorations go a long way. I love decorating my house for holidays so this Valentine’s Day, I’m making little hearts from yarn. I cut out a bit of cardboard in the shape of a heart and then wrap it with soft-pink yarn. I also like to make candles and add my favorite romantic blend to it, so the house smells wonderful on Valentine’s Day. – Jeanine Duval, Edelwyn
Don’t hold back with whimsy décor. It all starts with festive and feminine tablecloths and napkins. Next, it’s all about layering to create the wow factor. A table full of fresh flowers packs a major punch. Be sure to go for blush pinks, vibrant reds, and creamy whites. To add a bit of fun, I love covering the table with heart shaped candies covered in red and pink shiny foil. The effect of balloons floating on the ceiling of the room is always a hit. Last but not least, bring out your fancy china and glassware, pour a glass of bubbly and enjoy. – Alison Kenworthy, Homeworthy
Lighting is the key for cozy dining room ideas. Revamp your dining space and infuse it with welcoming warmth by updating your light fixtures and their finishes. Add custom lighting with DIY design elements, like bold cloth-covered lamp cords, unique shades, and warm-hued finishes or hardware. By changing out the lights of your dining space with something more personalized, you can help make the space feel more inviting for yourself and your loved ones. – Meggan Fadden Wynja, Design Director & Co-Founder of Color Cord Company
Install dimmers to set the mood. To create a more sultry setting in the home, install dimmer switches to overhead lighting. Dimmers can be installed for most types of lightbulbs and will instantly transform the ambiance of the room. – Kevin Busch, VP of Operations for Mr. Handyman
Candles are absolutely essential to set the perfect mood and aesthetic for love day. Even the most ordinary spaces can be made to feel elegant and classy with the soft lighting and aromas of candles. Pairing candles with an arrangement of rose petals will surely create the best Valentine’s Day display. – Brent Sanders, Wicksly
Create a candlestick landscape. Transform a dining space instantly by dimming the lights and adding candles. One designer tip is to buy them often in unmatched sets and different materials. Decide on one color and spray all the shapes that one tone. Create arrangements of the variety of heights and sizes. The color is what makes them uniform so you can appreciate the pattern. – Kim Depole, Depole Design
Combine a variety of different elements. To make a space instantly romantic, bring out the good china, cloth napkins & low level light. Gather clear glass candle holders in all shapes and sizes and create a lovely and romantic centerpiece. Add some beautiful chocolates and you are all set for an evening of great connection and conversation. – Pamela Durkin, Pamela Durkin Designs
Stunning red roses on Valentines Day are a must for luxury dining rooms. One of the leading design trends to emerge this year is the so-called New Minimalism, an updated modernist aesthetic infused with intrinsic beauty and deep personal connection. Our Winter Spring 2021 Collection features a bold red rose titled, Rosalinda. Its very name is synonymous with red, the color of passion and love, and would make a dramatic signature statement all year round. – Ervin Heron
Trim and mouldings create drama in a room. They are some of the most versatile home building products out there, especially for an experienced DIYer. From beadboard to crown molding, trim profiles can be found in just about every width and style. For the dining room, I recommend using interior PVC trim to create a grid accent wall that elevates the style and drama of the space. It is the perfect way to make a builder grade home feel more custom, or make an otherwise ordinary room feel unique and special. – Kriss Swint, design lead at Royal Building Products
Let color set the tone. Choose a window treatment color that reflects the mood you want to set. A few to consider: warm whites and creams are soft and inviting, lavender instills a fresh romantic vibe, and a rich, deep red signals passion. – Shannon Schomaker, product manager at Springs Window Fashions, the parent company of Graber
Choose soothing colors. Take a look at the colors that spas use: natural shades of green, blue and light hues of browns and taupes, all intended to create the feel of a lush and calm oasis. Homeowners don’t always consider the use of color in the aesthetic of a home, often opting for neutrals that border on boring. Adding colors that soothe the soul will help create a perfect mood. Whether that’s wall color to the choices of artwork on the wall, choosing soothing colors from nature inspired palettes will help to create a harmonious space. – Marty Basher, Modular Closets
There’s nothing gray about using the color gray. One of my favorite colors to use in a dining room is colonial revival gray (Sherwin Williams number 2832). I love this color because you can use it in informal and formal settings and it goes well with modern and traditional décor or anything in-between. – Kelly McGuire, Metro Precision Painting
Turn your dining room into a coffee shop. If your idea of a Valentines date was to go to a café to drink some good coffee then why not recreate the scene at home? The easiest to recreate would be Central Perks from Friends. All you need is a sofa, coffee table and large coffee mugs. There are decorations that you can buy online thanks to the success of Friends, including the neon light and aprons. – Parker Russel, Black Ink Coffee
Pick the right painting for your space. Paintings always brighten up the atmosphere of a home. A painted works of art adds a nice accent to your home décor making it feel more homey in a tasteful way. – Assaf Kostiner, PaintYourLife
Decorate with framed printables. One easy and inexpensive way to decorate your home for Valentine’s Day is with framed printables. You can find free printables online, print them out, frame them, and place them on your entry table or hang them on the wall to celebrate the holiday. – Melissa Welsh, Welsh Design Studio
Update the framed photos in your home for the perfect way to refresh your dining room this Valentine’s Day. With countless customization options, from chic frames to matting and float mounting, you can find the perfect piece or set that brings Valentine’s Day into your home. – Minted
Don’t forget to bring your pets to dinner. Swap out the not-so-pet-friendly chocolates for heart-shaped dog treats in festive containers, using simple glass jars decorated with stencils and chalk markers. – Katy Hawley, Barking Bungalow
And make sure your pets have a seat at the table. You would be surprised how many pet cats and dogs are dressed up and allowed to eat at the table on the biggest romantic day of the year. One really nice idea is to buy a large floor cushion for your pet in the shape of a heart. When they are not using it you will still see it and be reminded of that day. – Chelsea Rivera, Honest Paws
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