Room-By-Room Interior Design: Dining Rooms
Now is a perfect time to refresh your home’s interior and get ready for the holidays. If you plan to entertain this season, redesigning your dining room is a great place to start. One design motif gaining momentum is durable design that adapts to meet a homeowner’s needs at any stage of their life. Today, our team at Unusual Designs in Newport News is sharing what durable design means, a few ideas tailored to dining rooms, and how our professional consultation services can help.

What Is Durable Design?
Durable design celebrates longevity—spaces planned with furniture, surfaces, and flooring that stand up to everyday gatherings and special-occasion hosting—adaptable to how a home changes throughout its lifespan. These changes can include:
- Comfort & safety: Solid chairs with good back support keep family and guests comfortable and steady—especially important in busy dining rooms where spills and bumps can happen.
- Adaptable furnishings: Dining room tables with leaves for added seating and storage furniture that can act as a serving surface are great additions that adapt to the needs of the room.
- Sustainability: Choosing environmentally friendly materials gives you a beautiful space and peace of mind that you’re doing your part for the planet.
Durable Interior Design Ideas for Dining Rooms
- Reclaimed wood: A timeless, sturdy choice for tables, sideboards, walls, floors, and even ceilings. Its natural patina hides wear, and every board adds character.
- Recycled glass: Consider recycled-glass accessories or dinnerware for a unique, sustainable statement that’s easy to wipe clean.
- Natural fibers: Cotton, linen, and wool are renewable, breathable, and easy to maintain. Use them for curtains, chair covers, and table linens for a soft, tactile finish.
- Window treatments from natural materials: Bring in warmth and texture with fibers that complement an earthy, durable aesthetic.
The Final Touch: Dining Room Shades and Blinds
No dining room design is complete without window treatments that support your look and your lifestyle.
- Hunter Douglas woven shades are made from bamboo, wood, reeds, and grasses, these shades add an organic, earthy vibe that suits durable dining rooms and softens acoustics during lively dinners.
- Hunter Douglas Heritance® Wood Shutters feature a rich grain that elevates your space and offers excellent light control. Choose from a wide range of stain hues to complement your palette and durable finishes.
Professional Interior Design Consultation for a Stunning Dining Room
Redesigning your dining room can be both exhilarating and challenging. Our professional interior design consultation services make it easier—and more fun. We offer:
- Furniture layout that optimizes flow for everyday meals and holiday gatherings
- Color palette creation to harmonize woods, textiles, and finishes
- Furniture purchase assistance and custom fabrics & window treatments
- Access to trusted professional contractors to bring the plan to life
Our designers listen first—then elevate your vision with practical, durable solutions.
Contact Us for Interior Design Solutions Near Newport News, VA
As a certified Hunter Douglas Gallery dealer, Unusual Designs has served Newport News and surrounding communities for over twenty years.
When you’re ready to design the dining room of your dreams, request a consultation, give us a call at (757) 595-5131 or stop by our showroom.
We proudly serve Newport News, Hampton, Chesapeake, Yorktown, Williamsburg, Suffolk, and Gloucester, Virginia.











