It Was Big In The '80s — Now It's The Dining Table We Want In Our Homes

Maximalism is back. The daring 80's trend is taking over home design again, and it's coming for your dining room. Specifically, your dining table. Decorative, visually saturated tables are trending in interior design, and there's no better example of this than the '80s relic we're learning to love again: the Chinoiserie dining table. These glossy pieces — inspired by the Western reimagination of Chinese decoration — feature a decorative field of motifs "floating" across the lacquered surface of the piece. You'll often see birds, plants, and landscapes featured on the table, offset by gold leaf or metallic paint. Almost always, these designs are set against a mahogany-hued or black background.

In the '80s, these tables were frequently paired with formal elements like chandeliers, luxurious place settings, and coordinated furniture inspired by the Hollywood Regency era. Modern takes on the Chinoiserie dining table are a little more eclectic. They tend to blend contemporary, playful elements with the table, such as a stately ceramic centerpiece or a large plant, nodding to the grandmillenial home design trend.

If you'd like to source one of the authentic Chinoiserie tables that were so popular in the '80s, prepare to spend several thousand dollars. These tables may come from classic American brands like Drexel or European designers. Vintage sellers like Chairish and Etsy are great places to hunt for these pieces. Chinoiserie tables feature real wood cores and real lacquer paint, making them an heirloom piece in your home. Modern reproductions sold by import direct websites like Oriental Furnishings are another option. If you can't justify a furniture splurge right now, don't worry: you're not priced out of the trend. You can find an older mass-produced piece for three figures — you'll just need to do some scouring (Facebook Marketplace can be a good resource). As can be Chairish, if you set a price filter!

If you have your hands on one of these tables, you're all set to update a tired dining room with a modern refresh. Let your table be the primary "ornament" in the room, and keep the rest of your styling relatively simple. You don't need to worry about sourcing matching chairs, either. Something complementary, like sleek wood or solid-color fabrics, looks fresh with the intricate table. A warm light source focused on the beautiful lacquer will bring out its dimension. Multi-piece tabletop settings aren't necessary either (unless you're hosting guests). You already get plenty of decoration from the table itself.