More and more it seems, the dining room is a place that is used throughout the day–for many purposes. Whether this be for dining, working or setting up a craft space for kids, your dining room should be a place where you can be both comfortable and productive and, above all, should be a space you enjoy!

There are many ways to upgrade your dining room to make sure that it is functional for all of these activities, and that the style is one that you truly love. This could include a major addition like a new dining set in one of today’s most popular styles, or smaller but significant additions like a new storage piece, an area rug or fresh wall art.

The Focal Piece—Dining Room Tables

Dining room tables are the center of all dining rooms and are arguably the most important piece in this room. This table should be versatile, optimal for gatherings, but also comfortable for a variety of uses, such as a work-from-home environment.

Since this furniture piece is so relevant in this room, it is important to take into account the size of your space instead of just buying any table you like. Generally, you want to shoot for at least three feet between the edge of your table and the wall. That’s how much space it takes to push chairs in and out and maneuver comfortably around the table. Consider other furniture as well. For instance, if you have a buffet positioned against the wall, there should be at least three feet between the edge of the table and the buffet (instead of the wall). Another important factor to take into account is the shape of the dining table. The most common dining table shapes are rectangular, square, circular and oval. Depending on your preferences and the size of your room, certain shapes may be more flattering, but there isn’t a wrong choice.

Looking to make a dynamic statement with a new table? A popular trend for dining tables is alternative bases. Traditionally, the primary base types included pedestal, traditional and trestle, but lately, tables with unique and uncommon base styles are rising in popularity. These trending bases include large wooden or metallic pieces, distinctive shapes, and even bold statement colors.

Popular dining table styles to consider:

There are many different dining room table styles that are popular today. For instance, live edge dining tables and other natural wood dining tables have been increasing in popularity and complement many contemporary decor styles, like farmhouse, coastal, Scandinavian and more. As a whole, natural woods have been becoming more prominent in design, and what better way to incorporate that into your dining room than with the primary furniture piece?

Another popular style is mid-century modern dining tables. These tables are typically modern and minimal in style. They may feature soft, curved lines. Frames are wood and/or metal, and upholstery may feature solid bold colors or geometric patterns. Why are these dining sets so popular? They evoke a certain sense of nostalgia. However, the minimal designs are extremely versatile and can still look current in today’s dining rooms and open-concept spaces.

Spice it Up With Accent Pieces

If you are on a budget or in the market for smaller dining room upgrades, accent pieces are definitely the way to go. These can include wall art, tabletop pieces or other decor items. Light colors and bright accent pieces have been trending and are a fun and unique way to add some life to your space. Little pops of color incorporated through accent pieces complement natural woods and other neutral colors without overwhelming your room. Accent pieces are also perfect for changing between seasons, as they are relatively inexpensive and easy to swap out of your space, meaning these upgrades don’t have to be a long-term commitment. If your interests are ever changing, this is the perfect addition for you to make!

Area Rugs

Is your dining space missing a certain something? An area rug can make a great addition to any space! Area rugs are perfect for incorporating different textures and colors and also add a sense of comfort into your room. An area rug works wonderfully underneath a dining room table, but you’ll have to find one that is relatively large, depending on the size of your table. Area rugs are also helpful in open concept homes, helping to visually distinguish between your dining and living areas.

Alternative Lighting

When you think of a dining room, you probably think of a hanging light fixture–whether it’s a statement chandelier or a smaller, more contemporary fixture. However, your dining room may also benefit from supplemental lighting, especially if you are someone who spends time working, crafting, hobbying, conversing or otherwise engaging in your space. Finding floor and table lamps to add in the corners of your room can help keep your room lit up, but not overwhelmingly so. Having this as another option for lighting helps make your room more comfortable and relaxing, which is perfect for late nights or long work days.

No matter what kind of upgrades you are looking to make, there are options for incorporating new dining room trends regardless of budgets or preferences. Finding the optimal way to introduce natural woods and bright colors will keep your dining room up-to-date and trendy with the latest looks, and somewhere that you enjoy spending time in outside of just meals.