Updated: November 2026When it comes to home renovations, dining rooms are rarely the star of the show.
The kitchen usually takes centre stage. Then there’s the ensuite, the living room, even the powder room. But if you ask me, dining rooms deserve more consideration than we often give them.
No, we don't formally dine the way our parents and grandparents did. And yes, we are much more likely to use it for special occasions, like holiday dinners, dinner with friends, or having the whole family over.
But just because we use it less often doesn’t mean we shouldn’t think carefully about it.
Factors That Impact The Cost to Furnish & Decorate Your Dining Room
The cost of redesigning your dining room depends on several factors, including:
Room Size: This just makes sense. Larger rooms mean larger tables, more chairs, and more decorative pieces. It adds up quickly.
Furniture Materials: You have many material choices, and the costs will vary. Solid wood tables, for example, will cost more than one made with veneer or laminate. If you're going for a sleek modern look, you can opt for a glass or metal table, and those will also vary widely in price.
Custom vs. Ready-Made Pieces: Again, this is logical. Custom furniture comes with a higher price tag than ready-made furniture. However, if it's in your budget, custom furniture is well worth it. It's designed specifically for your space and style, giving you a one-of-a-kind look.
Your Style: Some styles simply cost more to pull off than others. If you love intricate detailing or specialty materials, you can expect to spend more than you would on simpler designs.
Essential Dining Room Furniture
The bulk of your room cost will go to furnishing your dining area.
Dining Table
Your dining table is one of the biggest pieces in the room, so naturally, it’s also one of the bigger investments. You can typically expect to spend anywhere from $2,000 to $10,000, depending on the size, material, and how it’s made.
If you’re looking for something in the middle of that range, you’re probably looking at a well-made solid wood table in oak. Custom designs, specialty finishes, stone tops, or other unique details can push the cost higher. Size matters here too. A table designed to comfortably seat ten will cost more than one designed for six.
This is also a piece I like to prioritize. A good table gets used for years, and because it takes up so much visual space, it really sets the tone for the entire room.
Dining Chairs
Dining chairs typically range from $500 to $3,500 per chair, depending on the material and construction. And when you need six, eight, or even ten of them, they can easily become one of the larger expenses in the room.
You may also choose different chairs for the heads of the table. Larger, upholstered host chairs can add some interest and help break up a long row of matching chairs, while still keeping the whole room feeling cohesive.
Of course, consider who will be sitting in those chairs. If you have small children, for example, a delicate fabric probably isn’t the best choice. A durable performance fabric or an easy-to-clean wood chair may make much more sense. We want it to be beautiful, but also work for the people who live in your home.
Buffet or Sideboard
If you have the space for one, a buffet or sideboard can be a really useful addition to a dining room. It gives you somewhere to store serving pieces, extra dishes, linens, and all those things you want nearby but don’t necessarily want on display.
For a well-made piece, you are likely to spend between $2,000 and $5,000. It will (again) depend on the size, materials, construction, and details. Custom millwork, specialty finishes, unique hardware, or a piece made specifically to fit your room will naturally increase the price.
Beyond storage, a sideboard also gives us another opportunity to add some personality to the room. It can anchor a piece of art or a mirror, give us a spot for accessories, and make the dining room feel much more finished.
Now that those essential pieces are in place, let’s discuss the decor and accessories.
Decor & Accessories to Bring Your Personality To Your Dining Room
Once your key furniture pieces are in place, it’s time to bring the room to life and make it yours!
Area Rugs
An area rug adds warmth, texture, and softness to a dining room, but there are a few practical things to consider. First is size. The rug needs to be large enough that the chairs stay on it, even when they’re pulled out from the table.
And then there’s the fact that you’re putting a rug underneath where people eat. There will be spills and crumbs, especially with kids, so you might want to choose a material that is easy to maintain and clean.
Area rugs typically start around $1,500, with larger, high-quality rugs often ranging from $8,000 to $10,000 or more depending on the size, material, and construction.
Draperies & Window Treatments
Custom window treatments typically start around $1,000 per window, with the final cost depending on the size of the window, fabric, style, and the amount of material required.
Because they are made specifically for your windows, we can get the proportions and length just right while also considering what you need them to do. That might mean filtering harsh sunlight, protecting your furnishing from UV exposure, or adding privacy.
Artwork
Artwork is one of the more personal elements of a dining room, and the price range is huge. Framed prints may start around $100 to $1,000, while original artwork, limited editions, and custom framing can take that number considerably higher.
This is one area where I don’t think you need to choose something simply because it “goes” with the room. Art should feel personal. It should be something you will enjoy looking at every day.
Lighting
Good lighting is all about layers. You want it bright enough for a busy family dinner or an afternoon spent working at the table, but dim enough for an intimate dinner or an evening with friends.
The fixture over the table is usually the starting point. Chandeliers and pendants typically range from $1,000 to $5,000, depending on the size, materials, and design. Again, this will depend on the size of the room. A fixture that’s too small can feel lost over a large table. You want the right size to anchor the entire room.
From there, we might add other light sources, such as wall sconces, which range from $300 to $1,500 per fixture.
The Cost to Furnish and Decorate Your Dining Room
Now that we’ve looked at the individual pieces, what should you actually expect to spend to furnish and decorate your dining room?
For a dining room with a table, eight chairs and a sideboard, you can expect to spend approximately $10,000 to $35,000+ on furniture.
For the finishing pieces, including an area rug, window treatments, artwork and lighting, a realistic budget is approximately $5,000 to $20,000+ for decor.
That puts the overall furnishing and decorating budget for a dining room at approximately $15,000 to $55,000+.
It’s also important to remember that these numbers are for the furnishings and decor themselves. They do not include design fees, delivery, receiving and installation, taxes, electrical work, painting, construction or other renovation costs that may be required to complete the room.
Your Budget: Where to Splurge & Where to Save
One of the best parts about working with an interior designer is that not only will we help create a beautiful space, but we will also help you manage your design costs.
When designing any room, it's important to prioritize big-ticket items that will have the greatest impact on the space. Pieces like your table, chairs, and statement lighting should take top priority, since they anchor the room both visually and functionally.
Personally, we believe that a high-quality table is worth the investment, as it serves as the centrepiece for meals, gatherings, and everyday use. Part of being a good host or hostess is making sure your guests are comfortable, so make sure you have comfortable, durable dining chairs for long dinners or when entertaining guests.
Lighting is another place where I’m often willing to spend more. The fixture over your dining table can completely change the feel of the room, and it’s something you notice as soon as you walk in.
But some pieces don’t necessarily need the same level of investment. Table linens, vases, decorative objects, trays, and other smaller accessories can all be beautiful without costing a lot. They’re also the things you’re more likely to change over time.
Full-Service Interior Design with EBO Design
Redesigning your dining room means more than just finding a furniture set that you like. Everything - from the size of your rug to the height of your light fixture - needs to support how you actually plan to use the room.
And of course, there is the budget. It's easy for the total cost to creep higher than you planned, so having a realistic idea of what things cost will help you decide what to prioritize.
Of course, your dining room does not exist in a vacuum. Even if it's separated from the rest of the house, you'll want your entire space to be cohesive. That's one reason we recommend full-service design.
Instead of making decisions room by room, we look at your home as a whole. We consider how the rooms flow together and how it all fits into the bigger picture. And then we take care of getting it all done. From the original sourcing to coordinating trades and installation, we take the process off your plate.
If you’re ready to make your home feel more like you, we’d love to help.
And for more information on what it might cost to furnish your home, download our free Furniture Costs Breakdown: What to Expect When Furnishing Your Home guide. It gives you realistic furnishing costs for each room, so you can plan with a clearer idea of what to expect.
