How To Make Your Dining Space Stand Out In An Open Concept Floor Plan

Open floor concepts are excellent for making a small space appear larger and allowing easy flow throughout the home. However, it can be challenging to decorate and furnish an open room due to the lack of designated areas for specific needs. For instance, your dining table that's typically used for eating may share space with your couch and television where you relax. While you can arrange furniture in a certain way to break up a large room, it doesn't always work perfectly if the space isn't wide enough. Further, if you have a white open room, this will make everything blend together, regardless of the furniture color and setup. Because of this, to separate the dining area from the living room in an all-white room, TikTok user @onthecheaptip used peel-and-stick wallpaper around and even above the dining table.

In the TikToker's video, he purchased herringbone wallpaper that looked like wood from Dollar Tree, which cost $1.25 for each 16-by-11 inch panel. Since the goal is to make the dining room stand out, the wallpaper's placement is essential. Because of this, the creator lays the herringbone wallpaper along part of the wall behind the table and continues it up onto the ceiling above it as well. Instead of creating an entire accent wall, you're making a border around the dining area to highlight it. We love this hack because it's completely customizable and affordable, so you can play around with different materials and designs in your space.

This hack is effortless to execute. You'll need peel-and-stick wallpaper in the pattern of your choice, painter's tape, a measuring tape, and a wallpaper-smoothing tool, which you could buy on Amazon for about $3. Start by measuring the length of the table's side that's closest to the wall to determine how much of the wall you should cover with the wallpaper. Take your measurements and mark them on the wall with painter's tape. Also attach painter's tape vertically above the floor trim to ensure you stick the peel-and-stick wallpaper straight onto the wall. After completing your prep, apply each wallpaper panel to the wall one at a time, using your smoothing tool to remove all the air bubbles. Continue attaching the wallpaper until you reach the ceiling, then keep applying it onto the ceiling until it covers the entire surface above your table.

TikTok user @onthecheaptip used a gorgeous herringbone pattern for his dining area, but Dollar Tree has numerous in-store options. Online, they have the herringbone panel as well as a gold-woven geometric pattern. If you have an all-white interior, opt for a flashy tone or design to prevent it from blending into the space. Or, if you have bright-colored walls in your open-concept floor plan, use a neutral pattern to avoid clashing with the rest of the colors and décor.

If you find that peel-and-stick wallpaper is challenging to attach, swap it for paint. This is another perfect way to define a space in an open-concept floor plan. You can add a gorgeous, vivacious border around your dining area with any color. Ensure you use painter's tape and a measuring tape to create symmetrical lines along the wall and ceiling for pristine results. Since paint is a basic layer without added details, it's easier to pick a color, though it may be best to choose a contrasting shade from your walls to make the space stand out. You can also get creative and paint a mural between the painter's tape for a fascinating look or use stencils to add an attractive pattern as well. 

However, after you've finished defining your dining area, the space might still feel a bit awkward with a massive empty area between the ceiling and the dining table. To occupy the space and provide ambient lighting, install a hanging light feature above the table. TikTok user @onthecheaptip DIYed a beautiful metallic hanging light fixture that created a warm and cozy environment while keeping the open and inviting feel. You can DIY something elegant within your budget. TikTok has a brilliant pendant lighting hack that would fit perfectly in a boho chic, rustic, or farmhouse interior, or you can purchase a light fixture. Choose a stylish element that matches the space.