Inspiration for a traditional separate dining room in Milwaukee with multi-coloured walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and brown floor.

New Old House

Jennifer Markanich Timeless Interiors

Inspiration for a traditional separate dining room in Nashville with multi-coloured walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and brown floor.

Dining Room

Kim Kendall Interiors

This is an example of a large traditional separate dining room in DC Metro with white walls, a stone fireplace surround, medium hardwood floors and brown floor.

Timeless Transitional

LeBlanc Design

Leblanc Design, LLC Michael J Lee Photography
This is an example of a large transitional dining room in Boston with multi-coloured walls, no fireplace, carpet and beige floor.

Noe Valley Two

Amoroso Design

Contemporary open plan dining in San Francisco with multi-coloured walls and medium hardwood floors.

Old Farm custom, athens

Studio 21 Interiors

Photo of a country separate dining room in Atlanta with green walls, medium hardwood floors and brown floor.

Sugar Shack

Anthony J. Vallée

Photo by Jack Gardner Photography
Design ideas for a mid-sized beach style open plan dining in Miami with multi-coloured walls, ceramic floors and brown floor.

Presidio Heights Curated Contemporary

Regan Baker Design Inc.

Well-traveled. Relaxed. Timeless. Our well-traveled clients were soon-to-be empty nesters when they approached us for help reimagining their Presidio Heights home. The expansive Spanish-Revival residence originally constructed in 1908 had been substantially renovated 8 year prior, but needed some adaptations to better suit the needs of a family with three college-bound teens. We evolved the space to be a bright, relaxed reflection of the family’s time together, revising the function and layout of the ground-floor rooms and filling them with casual, comfortable furnishings and artifacts collected abroad. One of the key changes we made to the space plan was to eliminate the formal dining room and transform an area off the kitchen into a casual gathering spot for our clients and their children. The expandable table and coffee/wine bar means the room can handle large dinner parties and small study sessions with similar ease. The family room was relocated from a lower level to be more central part of the main floor, encouraging more quality family time, and freeing up space for a spacious home gym. In the living room, lounge-worthy upholstery grounds the space, encouraging a relaxed and effortless West Coast vibe. Exposed wood beams recall the original Spanish-influence, but feel updated and fresh in a light wood stain. Throughout the entry and main floor, found artifacts punctate the softer textures — ceramics from New Mexico, religious sculpture from Asia and a quirky wall-mounted phone that belonged to our client’s grandmother.

Naturalists' Sanctuary

Eberlein Design Consultants Ltd.

This is an example of a traditional separate dining room in Philadelphia with green walls.

Magnolia Cape Cod

Michelle Dirkse Interior Design

Design ideas for a mid-sized transitional separate dining room in Seattle with blue walls, no fireplace, brown floor and dark hardwood floors.

Med Center Kitchen Nook

GoodSpace High Performance Builders

Inspiration for a transitional kitchen/dining combo in Sacramento with white walls, dark hardwood floors and brown floor.

Hedgefield

Leandra Fremont-Smith Interiors

This is an example of a beach style dining room in Portland Maine with painted wood floors, multi-coloured walls, no fireplace and green floor.

2017 Greenwich Renovation

DeRosa Builders LLC

This is an example of a traditional dining room in New York with beige walls, dark hardwood floors and brown floor.

Charlestown Brownstone

DANE AUSTIN INTERIOR DESIGN Boston & Cambridge

A love of blues and greens and a desire to feel connected to family were the key elements requested to be reflected in this home. Project designed by Boston interior design studio Dane Austin Design. They serve Boston, Cambridge, Hingham, Cohasset, Newton, Weston, Lexington, Concord, Dover, Andover, Gloucester, as well as surrounding areas. For more about Dane Austin Design, click here: https://daneaustindesign.com/ To learn more about this project, click here: https://daneaustindesign.com/charlestown-brownstone

Southeastern Showhouse

Material

Designer: Robert Brown Fireplace: Denise McGaha
This is an example of a large transitional separate dining room in Atlanta with a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, beige floor, multi-coloured walls and carpet.

Maison de campagne

Sandra Neyrat Intérieurs

Photo of a mid-sized tropical dining room in Marseille with white walls.

Lantern House on the River

Cannarsa Structure and Design

Photo of a transitional dining room in Grand Rapids with blue walls, dark hardwood floors, brown floor, timber and wallpaper.

Modern Minimalist Bungalow

Kerrie Kelly Design Lab

Design ideas for a transitional dining room in Sacramento with white walls, dark hardwood floors and brown floor.

Yasumi

EXTRATAPETE

Yasumi ist Licht in der Schwebe. Wenn das Auge der Bildfläche näher kommt, wird das Spiel der Formen abstrakter. Aus tanzenden Halmen entsteht ein Ruhepunkt Ihres Raumes. Tapetendesign: Kathrin Kreitmeyer

Seminary Road

Emily Tucker Design, Inc

Inspiration for a traditional dining room in Denver with multi-coloured walls and medium hardwood floors.

Whimsical Wallpaper Beige Dining Room Design Ideas

A dining room can be used for casual dining, integrated into an open plan and connected to the living and kitchen areas; or as a formal space reserved solely for entertaining. While it may not be used frequently, it is a great focal point in the home, and requires little furnishings. Here's what you need to consider before you start planning a new dining room...

How will you use your dining room?

First, consider how frequently you will use the space. If you plan on using your dining room on a daily basis, a casual dining set-up with sturdy, long-lasting furniture is best. As for where you position it – well, any unused space in the home can be converted into a casual dining space, whether it be at the end of a kitchen island, or at the bottom of the stairs. A formal dining room, on the other hand, is more suited to a dedicated space, which is more common in heritage homes where space originally wasn’t at a premium. Perhaps you want your dining room to multi-task and accommodate everyday meals, homework sessions and grown-up dinner parties… If that’s the case, furniture is key. Look for versatile dining tables in either Australian or New Zealand hardwood or weathered timber for a more rustic look. These won’t show up sticky fingerprints as much and can be dressed up for guests.

What size and shape should your dining table be?

Your dining table should be able to seat all family members with some room for additional guests – each person should have at least 60 centimetres of space at the table. The right size, however, also depends on how much room you have. A general rule of thumb is to leave no less than 1 metre from the dining table to the wall or any additional furniture, so people have enough room to comfortably move around the space. Rectangular dining tables are versatile and can work in a variety of settings, while oval dining tables are more traditional and can turn any meal into an occasion. If you have a tight space to work in, a round dining table is best, and also a great option if you want to encourage conversation. A square dining table can be a dramatic addition to a dining room, but only if you have the space. It allows everyone at the table to see each other, but the bigger the table, the harder it will be able to hold a conversation with someone at the other end.

What type of dining chairs should you choose?

Once you’ve decided on a dining table, look for dining chairs that share a common design element. If your dining table legs are curved, for example, try to match them with dining chairs that have a similar curve, either in the legs or back. Next, consider the dimensions of the chair. The height of your dining chairs should allow at least 30 centimetres between the top of the seat and the top of the table. And to keep your tush happy, avoid dining chairs narrower than 45 centimetres.

How can you decorate your dining room?

Dining rooms are relatively minimal spaces, but that makes them a great place to splash a little colour through artwork, especially if yours is a formal dining room. If your dining room is lacking warmth, consider painting the walls a deep shade of red or blue, or go contemporary with black or grey. A cosy rug will make the space feel more intimate, while a sideboard or cabinet of curiosities will further personalise the space. Often overlooked, dining room lighting can also drastically alter the mood of a room, creating drama, spurring romance or encouraging conversation. Opt for soft lighting in the dining area with dimmer switches, and choose oversized pendants in large, open spaces or to make the dining area more of a focal point. Finally, add some table settings, such as a lace tablecloth for a whimsy feel, or a more basic table runner for a chic look. If you need some help designing your dining room, consider checking the Houzz directory of interior designers, home stylists, cabinet makers and more!