We Asked Designers for the Outdated Dining Room Styles Making a Comeback—And We’re Shocked

Not all outdated dining room designs are out of style for good—some are roaring back. From rattan to bold wallpaper, several classic styles are making a comeback.

“Your dining room should feel like a natural extension of the rest of your home,” Pantea Bionki, the founder and lead designer of Bionki Interiors, says. “It’s not a standalone space. It should feel like a natural extension of the home’s personality.”

So, which outdated dining room styles are back in style? We asked design experts which ones are back and better than ever.

Rattan

Rattan is making a major comeback with its boho style and woven look made from vine-like palm. It gives cozy vibes and is often used in patio or outdoor furniture, but Bionki says it’s becoming trendy in dining rooms again, in a new, brighter way.

“Instead of the heavy, dark cherry or walnut finishes we used to see, it’s now showing up in lighter bamboo tones,” she says. “Pair it with black accents, and it feels fresh and modern while still bringing in warmth and texture.”

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Art Deco

Though it was super trendy in a bygone era, art deco and its bold geometric shapes, symmetry, and clean lines are making a comeback, especially for dining rooms, according to Darlene Molnar, an NCIDQ-certified and LEED-accredited interior designer.

“While arches have been on trend for a few years now, the motif is leaning more Art Deco,” she says. “Now, in combination with other Art Deco-inspired design elements like high gloss lacquer finishes and stylized florals.”

She notes that high lacquer can give a room “an Art Deco/Hollywood Regency touch.”

Pop Art

The bright, bold colors, outlines, and comic book-like styles of 1960s pop art are “emerging in popularity” when it comes to dining room styles, says Molnar.

This includes colorful pop accents and bright touches of color in the room, such as pop art-style paintings, as well as brightly colored chairs and tables.

Bionki says that bold dining room chairs are an emerging trend as well.

“We’re seeing low-back, fully upholstered chairs that almost feel like accent chairs, just sized for the dining table,” she says. “Think barrel chairs, but scaled down. This lets you play with color, fabric, and texture, turning dining chairs into statement pieces instead of something purely functional.”

Bold Wallpaper

Another outdated trend making a comeback is bold wallpaper, whether it’s colors or patterns.

However, Bionki advises making sure the pattern or colors are picked carefully against your dining room furniture to prevent any mismatches.

“Bold wallpaper in the dining room can really set the tone,” she says, “but it’s key to choose the table and chairs carefully so they don’t clash. When done right, it instantly makes the space feel special.”