For a while, many Albuquerque home owners had lost interest in dining rooms. Formal dining rooms didn't get decorated or even used since homeowners weren't motivated to do so.

But that may be changing. The dining room has lost its footing over the years to expanded kitchen eateries and admonished for its lack of use, but the formal dining room is making a strong comeback.

Make your dining room stand out with these tips.

The right table

It's all about scale. An improperly sized table can throw off the whole room. “When choosing a dining table shape, consider your room's dimensions, how many people you'll typically want to seat, and your entertaining style,” said Wayfair. "Don’t forget, removable leaves allow you to adjust a table depending on the size of your dinner party."

Color

Adding a personal touch to the dining room makes it a great place to showcase your unique personality. You can be bold with those walls and use a deep, rich, vivid, or saturated color. You can also choose a wallpaper that catches the eye. Wallpaper has been in vogue for a while now, and the dining room is the ideal base for pretty patterns.

Lighting

Make a statement with a chandelier. Where else but the dining room? But that's just the beginning.

"Ideally, you should choose bulbs and fixtures that produce between 200 and 400 watts, but the real key is layering: make sure to use a mix of lighting sources including floor lamps, wall fixtures, candles and windows (Yes, natural lighting counts too!)," said Pottery Barn. "The shape of your light fixture is also important. Choose a shape that complements your dining table. For example, hang a rounded fixture above a round table and choose an oval or linear fixture to hang above longer and rectangular tables. Finally, consider the size of your space. If you have a large dining room, go big and bold with an extravagant chandelier. If your space is smaller, smaller hanging pendants will achieve a similar effect without taking up too much space."

Seating

Combining comfort and class is the way to go. Make sure you pay attention to the seat fabric as well. Here's another chance to show off your flair.

It is also important to use a high-quality fabric. If you have young children, you may need to consider the fabric's porosity. Top choices include microfiber and leather. A busy pattern also works well because stains won't show up as easily.

Add a rug

"Round out your dining room design with vibrant area rugs," said Better Homes and Gardens. "Anchor your dining set with a colorful area rug that harmonizes with your palette and decorating style. Area rugs should extend at least 2 feet beyond a table's sides to accommodate occupied chairs. An 8x10-foot area rug is a good fit for most dining sets. Introduce kicky slipcovers, graceful draperies, fabric lampshades, eye-catching artworks, framed mirrors, and cool collections that counterbalance your furniture's heavy forms and hard edges."