10 Dining Room Pieces Designers Say Are Outdated

The formal dining room is staging a comeback, but why did it ever go out in the first place? It probably had something to do with the stuffy reputation that came from years of it being a do-not-touch room. Stately wood furniture, precious upholstery, and a “fancy meals only” policy made the dining room seem like a place where you could only enter on holidays once the silver had been polished.

But, today, dining rooms can be as fresh as they are formal, provided you avoid a few key relics from prior generations. Here are the ten dining room pieces that instantly make a space feel outdated.

Dining Benches

A dining bench is a great space-saver, particularly if your dining room is short on width. But there’s a certain kind of bench that no longer feels fresh. As Grace Frederick, principal designer at Grace Frederick Design in Charleston, South Carolina, explains, the farmhouse-inspired dining bench is overly casual and not particularly functional. “While they seem practical for squeezing in a crowd, in reality they’re uncomfortable for long meals and lack the refinement most dining spaces deserve,” says Frederick.

Instead, she suggests opting for a built-in banquette. “They achieve the same goal of accommodating family and friends, but with much more comfort and charm. A banquette feels cozy, chic, and tailored,” says Frederick. “It’s perfect for a Southern dining room.”

Corner Cabinets

A corner cabinet filled with china and crystal was once a staple of the dining room lineup. But now these pieces feel like dust collectors rather than practical necessities. However, that doesn’t mean homeowners have given up their fine dining storage.

“Corner cabinets may be on their way out. Custom cabinetry in kitchens and dining rooms is very sought after, or, much larger pieces for storage, like hutches,” says Ellen Kastelberg, the founder of Ellen Kastelberg Interiors in Richmond, Virginia.

Silver Centerpieces

For anyone who’s ever gotten stuck polishing silver, there’s good news. Dramatic silver centerpieces are on their way out. You can finally put away that multi-piece silver tea set that you’ve had displayed for years and, instead, embrace something that’s a little bit lower maintenance.

Kastelberg says, “Most clients are not displaying their silver accessories, like tea kettles and gravy boats. Instead, they’re accessorizing with large bowls as centerpieces.”

Oversized Mahogany Tables

Who doesn’t love a huge family meal? It’s a chance to gather everyone around one table, but, the reality is, these large celebrations don’t happen nightly or even weekly. That’s why Lauren Saab, founder of Saab Studios in Dallas, Texas, says the oversized dining table is on its way out. Forget seating the whole extended family and, instead, focus on those in your immediate household.

“Those twelve seat mahogany tables once anchored every Southern dining room, but they swallow the space and rarely get used,” explains Saab. “Families today prefer a table that expands when needed, with hidden leaves that extend for holidays or gatherings.”

Matching Chair Upholstery

Gone are the days of chairs upholstered in heavy matching fabric that conjures up visions of candlelit formal dinners. “Damask slipcovers and perfectly matched fabrics used to be the standard for a formal dining room. Today they tend to feel stiff and dated,” says Saab.

She suggests warming up the space with cane, wicker, or linen chairs that bring both texture and a relaxed take on Southern hospitality.

Crystal Chandeliers

“Crystal chandeliers were the crown jewel of a formal dining room, but today they can feel fussy and dated,” says Saab. And, while a crystal chandelier can still work when paired with crisp, modern touches, Saab recommends looking for chandeliers and ceiling fixtures that will add a more contemporary look.

“Lanterns, woven pendants, or sculptural brass fixtures give the same sense of occasion but in a way that feels warm, modern, and lived in,” says Saab.

Heavy Drapery

Saab Velvet drapes and brocade curtains once set the stage for a formal dining room, but now they tend to make the space feel dark and heavy. Lighter linen panels or woven shades let the sunlight pour in and frame the table in a way that feels easy, welcoming, and refined.

Acrylic Chairs

Acrylic chairs had a moment in the dining room and, while they may still have a place in a casual breakfast nook, Kelly Neely, founder of Kelly Neely Interiors in Birmingham, Alabama, recommends banishing them from a formal living room. She insists there’s no need to resort to plastic when there are other durable options.

“We know acrylic chairs are easy to clean, but these days there are so many more options for easy, cleanable chairs,” says Neely. “Some options include bistro chairs, leatherette chairs and chairs with performance fabrics.”

Matching Dining Room Sets

Decorating your dining room used to be so simple. You would walk into the furniture store, select a dining room suite, and call it a day. But, today, the best way to keep a dining room feeling modern and stylish is to bring together pieces you love regardless of whether they “match.” Cyndy Cantley, co-owner of Cantley & Company also in Birmingham, says, “Matching dining sets feel like a furniture showroom not your special gathering place. Mix your Grandmother’s French sideboard with modern upholstered chairs, or pair a sleek pedestal table with antique Windsor chairs.”

Overly Precious Design

Formal dining rooms often meant a room that was never used or touched. But Cantley explains that overly precious spaces are out. “My table has wax melted all over, but it tells a story and although it’s a beautiful antique table, it is by no means museum quality,” says Cantley.

She explains that you shouldn’t worry about where your furniture came from or whether it’s an heirloom. Instead, make it personal—and use it.