The dining room is where people gather and linger, so the art there is seen for long stretches at a time. Good dining room wall art sets the mood for a meal, makes the room feel warm and gives guests something to talk about. Here is how to choose and place it.
The main wall: above the sideboard
Most dining rooms have a sideboard or buffet against one wall. Treat it like a sofa: choose art about two-thirds of its width and hang it 8 to 10 inches above the top. A wide landscape suits the long, low line of a sideboard.
Or behind the table
If the table sits against a wall or bench, the art becomes the backdrop for every meal. Hang it so the bottom sits about 10 to 12 inches above the seated head height, so it is visible over the people at the table.
Styles that suit dining rooms
- Landscapes: wide, calm horizons make a room feel open. See Horizon, with Dune Coast, Still Water and Salt Flat.
- Still lifes: vessels and fruit feel at home near a table. See Still Life, with Pears and Two Vessels.
- Warm abstracts: clay and sand tones make the room feel inviting. See Terra.
Think about evening light
Dining rooms are often used in the evening under warm lamps or candles. Warm palettes glow in this light; very cool blues can look grey. If your dining room is mostly used at night, lean warm.
Sizes for dining rooms
- Above a 60 in sideboard: about 40 in of art, such as one 30 × 40 in landscape or two 18 × 24 in pieces.
- Behind a table for six: a 30 × 40 in piece, or a row of three 18 × 24 in.
- Small breakfast nook: one 18 × 24 in piece.
Frames for dining rooms
Match the frame to the table: light wood with oak, black wood with dark wood or black chairs, pure gold with brass lighting.
Frequently asked questions
What kind of art is best for a dining room?
Landscapes, still lifes and warm abstracts. They create a calm, inviting backdrop for meals.
How high should art hang in a dining room?
8 to 10 inches above a sideboard, or high enough to be seen above seated guests when behind a table.
Should dining room art match the kitchen?
In an open-plan space, keep a shared palette or frame finish so the two areas feel connected.
Explore Horizon and Still Life, or read kitchen wall art ideas.
