Top 12+ Dining Room Features That Look Dated Now

Heavy Dark Wood Furniture

Heavy, dark wood dining tables and chairs once signified elegance and tradition, but now they’re making spaces feel closed-in and old-fashioned. Recent home design surveys, like Houzz’s 2024 report, show a major jump in preference for lighter finishes and natural materials, with 68% of respondents saying they opt for oak, maple, or light walnut over cherry or mahogany.

Homeowners now crave airiness and flexibility in their dining rooms, and dark woods can swallow up precious natural light. Designers today recommend mixing wood tones or choosing painted finishes to create a fresher look.

The shift also ties into the rising popularity of Scandinavian and Japandi styles, which emphasize simplicity and brightness. If you walk into a dining room full of bulky, dark furniture, it can instantly feel like a relic from decades past.

Even antique lovers are reupholstering or painting heirloom pieces to give them new life.

Formal China Cabinets

The once-ubiquitous china cabinet, often filled with dusty porcelain and glassware, is seeing a steep decline. According to a 2023 survey by the National Kitchen & Bath Association, only 18% of new dining room remodels included a formal china hutch.

Open shelving or built-in buffets are now favored for their versatility and ability to display both everyday dishes and special pieces. People are entertaining more casually, and the days of “good china” reserved for holidays are fading.

Many homeowners find china cabinets bulky and impractical, taking up valuable wall space that could be used for art or additional seating. The modern approach focuses on functionality and minimalism, encouraging people to use what they own rather than hide it behind glass doors.

As the trend leans toward uncluttered, multi-use spaces, the china cabinet stands out as a dated symbol of a more formal era.

Traditional Wallpaper Borders

Wallpaper borders—those narrow strips of pattern that once wrapped around the tops of dining room walls—are widely considered a relic of the ’90s and early 2000s. A poll by Better Homes & Gardens in late 2023 showed that only 6% of homeowners want borders in new dining spaces, with most respondents calling them “outdated” or “fussy.” Designers now recommend full-wall wallpaper with bold, modern prints or textured paint techniques instead.

Borders tend to chop up wall space and can make rooms feel smaller and busier than they are. The trend today is toward seamless transitions and cleaner lines, with color blocking or large-scale murals taking the spotlight.

Even those who love wallpaper are opting for peel-and-stick options for flexibility and easy updates. Wallpaper borders are now more likely to appear in retro-themed rooms than in contemporary homes.

Matching Dining Sets

The era of the “everything matches” dining set—where table, chairs, and even the buffet are all identical—has ended. According to a 2024 Wayfair trend report, 72% of customers now choose mix-and-match pieces for a more collected, eclectic look.

Designers argue that matching sets can feel staged and impersonal, lacking the warmth of a space that’s evolved over time. Mixing chairs or pairing a modern table with vintage seating is seen as a way to add personality.

People want their dining rooms to feel unique and reflective of their lifestyle, not like a showroom display. The move away from matching sets also allows for greater flexibility if a chair breaks or tastes change over time.

Today’s dining rooms often feature an intentional blend of shapes, colors, and textures for a more inviting and lived-in vibe.

Carpeted Dining Rooms

Wall-to-wall carpeting in dining rooms is quickly becoming a thing of the past, with only 7% of new builds in 2024 including it, as reported by the National Association of Home Builders. The main issue is practicality: carpet is nearly impossible to keep stain-free in a space where food and drink are regularly spilled.

Hard surfaces like wood, tile, or luxury vinyl are much easier to clean and maintain, and area rugs can be swapped out if accidents happen. Allergy concerns have also played a role, as carpets tend to trap dust and allergens.

Modern homeowners are looking for durability and easy care, especially in high-traffic family spaces. Even plush rugs are chosen with washability in mind, with machine-washable options becoming a top seller in 2025.

The consensus is clear—carpet and dining rooms no longer mix.

Ceiling Fans with Lights

Ceiling fans with built-in lights, once a default fixture in dining rooms, are now considered outdated and distracting. Lighting industry data from 2023 shows a 45% drop in ceiling fan installations in new dining rooms compared to a decade ago.

Designers and homeowners alike prefer statement lighting, such as pendants or chandeliers, which can create ambiance and serve as a visual focal point. Ceiling fans also tend to disrupt sightlines and make rooms feel cluttered overhead.

The move toward open-concept living has shifted attention to cohesive lighting that bridges dining and living spaces. Dimmable, layered lighting is now seen as essential for setting the right mood at mealtime.

While ceiling fans remain popular in bedrooms and outdoor areas, their place in the dining room is fading fast.

Oversized China Patterns on Tableware

Large, ornate floral or geometric patterns on dinnerware, popular in the late 20th century, are now viewed as old-fashioned and visually overwhelming. A 2024 report from the International Housewares Association notes that 61% of consumers prefer minimalist or solid-color tableware for both everyday use and entertaining.

Simple, white dishes or stoneware in muted tones are favored for their versatility and ability to showcase food. Busy patterns can clash with modern décor or make settings look crowded.

Even well-known brands are redesigning their staple lines, offering understated collections that appeal to younger buyers. The shift is part of a broader desire for calm and simplicity in the home.

Today’s table settings are all about subtlety, letting the meal—and the company—take center stage.

Chair Rails and Wainscoting

Chair rails and traditional wainscoting, once standard in formal dining rooms, are declining in popularity as tastes move toward cleaner, less segmented wall designs. A 2023 survey by the American Institute of Architects found that only 10% of new residential projects included traditional wainscoting.

Designers argue that while architectural details can add interest, the classic white-and-wood combination looks stiff and overly formal in today’s relaxed homes. Instead, full-wall paneling or textured plasters are being used for a more streamlined effect.

Many homeowners are painting over existing chair rails to unify wall space, making rooms appear larger and more cohesive. The trend is toward uninterrupted surfaces and fewer visual breaks.

Decorative trim is still used, but in more modern, creative ways that feel updated rather than fussy.

Brass Fixtures (Polished, Not Aged)

Shiny, polished brass light fixtures and hardware were once the hallmark of luxury, but now they often read as “builder basic” or dated. According to a 2024 NKBA trend survey, brushed and matte finishes like black, bronze, and antique brass are leading choices, with polished brass installations dropping by nearly 80% since 2019.

Homeowners and designers prefer hardware that feels warmer and less flashy, blending seamlessly with other elements. Matte metals add depth and sophistication without dominating the room.

Polished brass, in contrast, tends to show fingerprints and tarnish easily, which adds to maintenance headaches. The modern approach is all about subtlety and timelessness.

Even those who love brass are seeking out aged or unlacquered versions that develop a natural patina over time.

Overly Ornate Light Fixtures

Huge, multi-tiered crystal chandeliers and excessively ornate lighting once symbolized dining room grandeur but are now out of step with current tastes. Lighting retailer statistics from 2024 show a 52% increase in sales of simple, sculptural pendants and a steep decline in demand for elaborate fixtures.

Homeowners want lighting that is bold but not showy, with interesting shapes or materials that complement the room’s aesthetic. Overly ornate pieces can dominate the space and feel disconnected from contemporary furnishings.

The trend is toward fixtures that offer both function and understated elegance. Many are choosing lighting that’s easy to swap out if styles change, rather than investing in expensive statement pieces.

The focus has shifted to quality over quantity, with more people valuing craftsmanship and subtle detail.

Wall-to-Wall Mirrors

Full-length mirrored walls in dining rooms, a throwback to the 1970s and ’80s, are rarely seen in new homes today. According to a 2023 Zillow market study, homes with mirrored dining rooms sold up to 8% below the average listing price, suggesting buyers see them as a cosmetic fix rather than an upgrade.

While mirrors can make a space feel larger, covering an entire wall is now seen as excessive. Designers prefer using individual mirrors as accents or choosing art for visual interest.

Large mirrored surfaces also require constant cleaning and can reflect clutter or mess, detracting from the dining experience. Modern spaces opt for more subtle ways to enhance light and openness.

The consensus is that less is more when it comes to mirrors in the dining room.

Built-in Wine Racks

Built-in wine racks, often integrated into cabinetry or walls, have lost their appeal as wine culture and storage technology have evolved. A 2024 survey by Wine Spectator reports that only 14% of wine enthusiasts now store their bottles in open racks in living or dining areas, with most preferring temperature-controlled storage.

Open racks expose bottles to light and temperature swings, which can degrade wine quality over time. The trend is toward discrete storage—either dedicated wine fridges or hidden cellars that protect the collection without dominating the décor.

Built-in racks also take up valuable space and can look cluttered if not meticulously maintained. Today’s homeowners are prioritizing flexibility, with movable or modular wine storage solutions that adapt to changing needs.

The dining room is shifting back to a focus on food, conversation, and comfort—not just showing off a bottle collection.