Five Fish Themed Dining Room Design Ideas

Themed rooms are great fun but it is when they are overdone that they tend not to be long lasting. Sure an over the top theme is great for a party, but if you want a décor that will endure, go for a couple of touches that coordinate within the context of a more conventional design. For a fish themed dining room, a couple of design cues are enough to let your guests get the message without bombarding them.

Plates fish

Fishes are fun and lively in the context of interior design and they are particularly effective in a dining room setting since they are, of course, edible. You don’t need to cover the floor and walls with carpet and wallpaper evoking fishy designs to create a theme. Use a fishy wall treatment, sure, but only choose one wall. Add an aquarium, but it doesn’t have to be huge. And use a table service with a fish motif if you want a themed evening without having to commit fully to the look.

Fishy Wall Treatments.

Plates fish

Cotemporary dining rooms don’t work if you plaster fish everywhere. Select a wall for a treatment and leave the others plain. An arrangement of wall mounted stylised fish can be enough to accent the room with the right theme.

Plates fish
Plates fish
Plates fish

For a fun look, arrange your fishes so that are all heading in different directions, but keep them close to one another. For a dynamic statement use a single, larger fish that can stand alone. To create subtle theme, go for tiling where you can spread your fish motif around the full area of the wall.

The Fisherman’s Look.

Plates fish

Fish, used as an abstract image, work well in a themed dining room, but for a more human touch go for a fisherman’s look instead. Buoys, netting and vintage life preservers all add to a fisherman inspired décor and you don’t need too many of them to get the look.

Plates fish
Plates fish
Plates fish

Placemats, which resemble a fisherman’s net, will add to the design and try using them with nautically inspired napkins, too. For a coordinated look, dress your table with conch shells, starfish and other beach paraphernalia. Add an ornamental sail boat as a centrepiece, making for the ideal fish themed dinner party.

Aquaria.

Plates fish

If you are a fish lover, then why not put some live fish into your dining room’s design? A simple goldfish bowl, acting as a focal point, can be enough to bring a fishy themed room together coherently.

Plates fish

There are plenty of fish bowls that will suit a myriad of styles and tastes. Smaller dining rooms will benefit from a fish tank that is set into your storage cabinetry. If you can see through to the other side, it can create an open plan look, without compromising on your storage.

Plates fish

For a more dynamic look, that creates a statement, install a fully blown aquarium and fill it with tropical varieties. Diners won’t be able to keep their eyes off the fishy display. Aquaria look at their best when they are well lit, but they require some maintenance to keep them looking at their best.

Picture Perfect.

Plates fish

Images of fish are the simplest way of getting the themed look. They are easily removed when you want to change the look, too. Colorful creatures, like fish, will mean you can get the right tone to coordinate your image with your dining linen.

Plates fish
Plates fish
Plates fish

Single images of fish, or many of the same variety, work well. Remember that abstract pictures are just as effective as realistic ones in themed interior design. Framed seafood shells and starfish work just as well as regular fish, like marlin and cod.

Fishy Table Sets.

Plates fish
Plates fish
Plates fish
Plates fish

Complete the look of your fish inspired décor with a set of matching crockery. Fishy plates and bowls look great in a themed dining room for a formal meal, as do canapé sets if you are entertaining with a buffet. Don’t forget your glassware when it comes to a coordinated look and why not add a fish-shaped wine rack, too? Table cloths, napkins and runners are all available with fish designs, contemporary and traditional, that will help you set the look off to perfection.

Picture sources: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20 and 21.