Small eclectic dining room in Cornwall with beige walls, medium hardwood floors, a wood stove, a brick fireplace surround, brown floor and exposed beam.

Entertaining Great Room

The Phinery

Converted this small room off the kitchen into a hip entertaining space. The counter height console table from Restoration Hardware works well for displaying appetizers and having casual meals. Room also functions well for kids - providing a great space near the kitchen for doing homework. Custom artwork was painted to pull in the colors of the brick fireplace surround and beige/gray tones of the draperies and floors. A vintage pendant light, greenery, and candles complete the space.

Los Gatos Residence

RUFproject

Dining Room & Kitchen Photo by David Eichler
Mid-sized scandinavian open plan dining in San Francisco with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a corner fireplace, a brick fireplace surround and brown floor.

Traditional Dining Room

Design ideas for a mid-sized traditional separate dining room in Philadelphia with beige walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and a brick fireplace surround.

Modern, Split-Level Custom Home in Arlington, VA, with Arts & Crafts Elements.

Ideal Construction & Remodeling

Felicia Evans Photography
Design ideas for a mid-sized country separate dining room in DC Metro with grey walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and a brick fireplace surround.

Modern Farmhouse in Minnetonka

Destiny Homes

Design ideas for a mid-sized country kitchen/dining combo in Minneapolis with medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace surround, brown floor and grey walls.

Pacific Heights

User

Large transitional separate dining room in San Francisco with black walls, a brick fireplace surround, dark hardwood floors and no fireplace.

A Diamond on the Bay

Casabella Interiors

Design ideas for a mid-sized traditional separate dining room in Boston with white walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace surround and brown floor.

Lake Michigan 70's Modern Renovation

Cannarsa Structure and Design

Inspiration for a modern kitchen/dining combo with white walls, dark hardwood floors, brown floor, vaulted, a standard fireplace and a brick fireplace surround.

Chestnut Hill

J. Stewart Designs

Photo of a large country open plan dining in Jackson with white walls, concrete floors, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace surround and grey floor.

VIVIENDA MUNTANER

The Room Studio

Proyecto realizado por Meritxell Ribé - The Room Studio Construcción: The Room Work Fotografías: Mauricio Fuertes
Design ideas for a mid-sized mediterranean kitchen/dining combo in Barcelona with green walls, medium hardwood floors, a brick fireplace surround and beige floor.

Napa Dining Room

Lauren Nelson Design

Transitional separate dining room in San Francisco with beige walls, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace surround and beige floor.

South Burlington Residence, VT

Lindsay Jay DESIGNS, LLC

Lindsay Parnagian
Photo of a large traditional kitchen/dining combo in Burlington with beige walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and a brick fireplace surround.

Chatham Road, Denistone

Homes On Trend - Property Styling

This is an example of a small transitional dining room in Sydney with medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace surround, white walls and brown floor.

Lato Signature - Modin Rigid LVP Collection Customer Space - CA

Flooret

Lato Signature from the Modin Rigid LVP Collection - Crisp tones of maple and birch. The enhanced bevels accentuate the long length of the planks.
Photo of a mid-sized midcentury open plan dining in San Francisco with grey walls, vinyl floors, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace surround and yellow floor.

Newbiggen St

An Artful Life

This is an example of a large scandinavian open plan dining in Essex with white walls, laminate floors, a wood stove, a brick fireplace surround and grey floor.

Aging in Place, Gracefully:

Princeton Design Collaborative

Former Living room was converted to new Kitchen and walls opened up to form open plan living with Kitchen, dining and Living Photography by: Jeffrey E Tryon

Yellow Rhapsody: Kirkland living and dining area design

Interiors by Popov

This project is a great example of how small changes can have a huge impact on a space. Our clients wanted to have a more functional dining and living areas while combining his modern and hers more traditional style. The goal was to bring the space into the 21st century aesthetically without breaking the bank. We first tackled the massive oak built-in fireplace surround in the dining area, by painting it a lighter color. We added built-in LED lights, hidden behind each shelf ledge, to provide soft accent lighting. By changing the color of the trim and walls, we lightened the whole space up. We turned a once unused space, adjacent to the living room into a much-needed library, accommodating an area for the electric piano. We added light modern sectional, an elegant coffee table, and a contemporary TV media unit in the living room. New dark wood floors, stylish accessories and yellow drapery add warmth to the space and complete the look. The home is now ready for a grand party with champagne and live entertainment.

Mid-century Re-modern

SHKS Architects

The kitchen was redesigned to accommodate more cooks in the kitchen by improving movement in and through the kitchen. A new glass door connects to an outdoor eating area. Photo credit: Dale Lang

Fire Places

Asher Slaunwhite + Partners

Asher Associates Architects
Inspiration for a beach style dining room in Philadelphia with beige walls and a brick fireplace surround.

Beige Dining Room Design Ideas with a Brick Fireplace Surround

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!