14 Things Every Southern Dining Room Should Have, According To Designers

How Southern is your dining room? Whether you’re in the formal dining room camp or prefer an eat-in kitchen in lieu of a dining room, there are a few important components to a Southern dining room. “The key elements in a Southern dining room are traditional, formal furnishings with a focus on heirloom pieces and creating a warm, inviting atmosphere for entertaining and family gatherings,” says South Carolina designer Caroline Brackett. While there are a few things that might be making your dining room look dated and items you shouldn’t be storing in there, here are the 14 things Southern designers say every dining room in the South should have.

Heirloom Pieces

“Whether it’s your grandmother’s silver or dining room table, there’s nothing more Southern than an heirloom piece that has been passed down and carries sentimental value,” says interior designer Ashley Gilbreath in Montgomery, Alabama. Family heirlooms like sterling silver serving pieces and china add a personal touch and a sense of history to the room.

Fresh Flowers

“We always suggest that clients keep fresh flowers or branches in the dining room,” says Birmingham, Alabama, designers Marguerite Johnson and Anna Still of Still Johnson Interiors. “This enlivens the space and keeps the room ready for hosting.” The design duo recommends placing flowers or branches on the buffet or sideboard. “Even if your garden doesn’t offer year-round blossoms, a big vase of evergreen magnolia or leucothoe branches is always a go-to.”

For branches, they recommend using a tall glass vase, and for flowers, they love a grouping of antique vases or mint julep cups. “Luckily in the South, there is always something blooming to clip straight from the yard,” says the pair, who suggest flowering camellias or quince in the winter; sasanqua for fall blooms; and varieties of azaleas, perennials, and evergreens in the spring and summer.

A Sideboard

Where else would you store your linens and good silver? Or set up the holiday buffet display? “A sideboard or buffet provides additional storage and serving space,” says Brackett, who notes these are typically placed against a wall near the dining table.

Good Linens

While they might not always be in use, from tablecloths to monogrammed napkins Southerners are sure to have a plethora of “good linens” stashed away for the right occasion. “A crisp, white linen tablecloth and matching napkins are essential for formal dining in the Southern tradition,” says Brackett.

Candelabras

“The ambiance in a dining room is always elevated by lit candles,” notes Palm Beach interior designer Ellen Kavanaugh, who loves her antique Georgian Sheffield candelabra. “You can find them on ebay for a bargain and they bring so much soul and depth to your dining room.” Mix and match styles throughout the room with new finds and thrifted treasures. “Even if your dining room is modern, adding a bit of antique silver is always a good idea to warm it up and add layers of history to your space,” she says.

Wallpaper

Nothing says "Southern dining room" like a beautiful wallcovering. "Use a wallpaper that not only looks beautiful, but also creates a festive and transportive experience for you and your dinner guests," says Knoxville, Tennessee, designer Caroline Levenson. "A beautiful scenic mural feels elegant, as if you're dining in a lovely English garden, while an all-over pattern or grasscloth provides a rich backdrop that sets the scene for your dinner party." Hand-painted mural scenes feel extra traditional. 

Lighting on a Dimmer

Nothing kills the mood at a dinner party like overly-bright lighting. “Every good host needs the ability to pivot from a well-lit brunch to a moody, dimly lit dinner party,” says Katie Wolf of Wolf Interiors. “A chandelier on a dimmer is a great place to start and any lamps or sconces that can be adjusted are an added bonus.”

Traditional Furniture 

Whether it’s one accent piece or the focus of the room, it doesn’t feel like a true Southern dining room without a piece of brown furniture. “A large, solid wood dining table with matching chairs are a staple,” says Brackett. “Traditional styles like Queen Anne, Chippendale, or Shaker are popular choices.”

Layers of Pattern

“Embrace pattern anywhere and everywhere,” says Levenson. Use patterns and textures to infuse personality in the formal space. "Consider a classic striped fabric for your upholstered dining chairs, a dramatic floral for the window treatments, a small scale printed wallcovering, or all of the above!" she says. "Layers of pattern create a cozy, enveloping environment that makes guests want to linger long after the last course has been served."

Just-Right Lighting

“A beautiful light sets the tone for the entire room,” says Atlanta-based designer Laura Jenkins. “Lighting is such an important piece of interior design and the dining room is a perfect place to have a statement fixture.” While lighting serves a necessary function, it also allows for creativity with form. “Let your personality shine through and have fun with lighting. Be a little playful, use an unexpected shape or scale to make a statement,” she says.

While you might have various lighting styles throughout the room including wall sconces or small lamps, it’s the chandelier that's the attention-grabber which elevates the room. "Look for a chandelier that complements the style and period of your home, whether that's a traditional crystal chandelier, a pendant style light, or a pair of lanterns," suggests Levenson. "Be sure to center your chandelier over the table rather than the center of the room so every guest at the table is softly illuminated."

China Cabinet 

If your dining room is on the smaller side, this piece might land in another spot of the home but is most classically used in the dining room. “A cabinet or hutch to display fine china, crystal, and other heirloom pieces is a must-have,” says Brackett. “These pieces often have glass doors to showcase the contents.”

Personalized Artwork

Whether it’s a passed-down family piece, a thrifted pair of prints, or your children’s artwork creatively framed, don’t let the walls remain blank. “Dining rooms offer a fantastic opportunity for art,” says Wolf. “Bringing in slightly edgy, conversation-inducing art acts as a foil to the traditional elements like antique furniture and heirloom china often on display. Photography and abstract art can be really fun contrasts in a dining room.”

Plenty of Comfortable Seating

“Stylish chairs are important, but so is comfort,” says Wolf. Consider not only the style and material of the chair, but also its height. Nothing is more uncomfortable than chairs that don’t allow for enough leg room between the seat and bottom of the table. And any Southern knows you always need room for extra guests whether it’s the holidays, a dinner party, or unexpected guests. Just as we always have plenty of pie, the same rule applies to seating. A good rule of thumb is to have enough chairs for the whole family, plus a few. Keep extra seating options next to a sideboard or in corners of the room that can easily be pulled up, so you don’t overcrowd the table on a daily basis.

An Area Rug

Anchor the table and chairs with a floor covering. “A large rug, often with an Oriental or floral pattern, helps define the dining space and adds warmth and color,” says Brackett. “It also helps manage the noise volume and echoes from group gatherings."