Long wall was extended, then covered in brick veneer. Modern glass 96" electric fireplace was mounted on the brick. New parsons chairs were added to the existing table. Floors are wire-brushed oak. Jeanne Grier/Stylish Fireplaces & Interiors

Minneapolis Classic Contemporary

Becker Building & Remodeling Inc.

Removing the wall between kitchen and dining (where soffit is in kitchen) shrunk the formal dining room but opened the spaces for better flow and space for seating on the island. Light green/gray painted cabinets, quartz countertops, tile splash, floating oak shelves, original moldings, and french doors to exterior.

Interior Makeovers by Annie OCallaghan

Dining Room in Mountain Brook
Inspiration for a contemporary dining room in St Louis with beige walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and a brick fireplace surround.

Greenwich Residence

Tim Hine

Design ideas for a traditional dining room in New York with beige walls, a standard fireplace and a brick fireplace surround.

SOHO PENT HOUSE

Cristina Dos Santos

Large dining room with very high ceilings, existing exposed brick fireplace to add warmth and comfort. Mid century upholstered chairs with silk velvet surround a large rectangular modern wood table with polished chrome legs.

Dining Room - Home Staging

White Oak Home Staging

Dining Room - Home Staging by White Oak Home Staging
Design ideas for a large country kitchen/dining combo in San Diego with white walls, a two-sided fireplace, a brick fireplace surround and medium hardwood floors.

Best Historic Renovation/Best Residential Remodel $750K-1 million

Clark Construction of Ridgefield, Inc

Maggie Cole Photography
Design ideas for a mid-sized country dining room in New York with beige walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and a brick fireplace surround.

Cascade Exterior & Interior Double French-wood Gliding Paito Doors, Bay Windows

Renewal by Andersen Window Replacement Milwaukee

Dining room with double French-wood Gliding Patio doors. Renewal by Andersen custom stains all woodwork to match the rest of your home
Expansive traditional open plan dining in Milwaukee with beige walls, dark hardwood floors, a brick fireplace surround and a two-sided fireplace.

Houston kitchen, living room, patio remodel with Restoration Hardware products

InnovationLand

This Houston kitchen remodel turned an outdated bachelor pad into a contemporary dream fit for newlyweds. The client wanted a contemporary, somewhat commercial look, but also something homey with a comfy, family feel. And they couldn't go too contemporary, since the style of the home is so traditional. The clean, contemporary, white-black-and-grey color scheme is just the beginning of this transformation from the previous kitchen, The revamped 20-by-15-foot kitchen and adjoining dining area also features new stainless steel appliances by Maytag, lighting and furnishings by Restoration Hardware and countertops in white Carrara marble and Absolute Black honed granite. The paneled oak cabinets are now painted a crisp, bright white and finished off with polished nickel pulls. The center island is now a cool grey a few shades darker than the warm grey on the walls. On top of the grey on the new sheetrock, previously covered in a camel-colored textured paint, is Sherwin Williams' Faux Impressions sparkly "Striae Quartz Stone." Ho-hum 12-inch ceramic floor tiles with a western motif border have been replaced with grey tile "planks" resembling distressed wood. An oak-paneled flush-mount light fixture has given way to recessed lights and barn pendant lamps in oil rubbed bronze from Restoration Hardware. And the section housing clunky upper and lower banks of cabinets between the kitchen an dining area now has a sleek counter-turned-table with custom-milled legs. At first, the client wanted to open up that section altogether, but then realized they needed more counter space. The table - a continuation of the granite countertop - was the perfect solution. Plus, it offered space for extra seating. The black, high-back and low-back bar stools are also from Restoration Hardware - as is the new round chandelier and the dining table over which it hangs. Outdoor Homescapes of Houston also took out a wall between the kitchen and living room and remodeled the adjoining living room as well. A decorative cedar beam stained Minwax Jacobean now spans the ceiling where the wall once stood. The oak paneling and stairway railings in the living room, meanwhile, also got a coat of white paint and new window treatments and light fixtures from Restoration Hardware. Staining the top handrailing with the same Jacobean dark stain, however, boosted the new contemporary look even more. The outdoor living space also got a revamp, with a new patio ceiling also stained Jacobean and new outdoor furniture and outdoor area rug from Restoration Hardware. The furniture is from the Klismos collection, in weathered zinc, with Sunbrella fabric in the color "Smoke."

Emerson Dining & Kitchen

328 Design Group

Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary open plan dining in Denver with dark hardwood floors, grey walls, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace surround and brown floor.

City Condo

Emerald Hill Interiors

Coyle Studios
Small transitional kitchen/dining combo in Baltimore with grey walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and a brick fireplace surround.

Billy and Corrie's Renovation and Addition

2e Architects

Bill McAllen
Photo of a country dining room in Baltimore with medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and a brick fireplace surround.

Modern Victorian Cottage

rootARCH

Showcase Photographers
Photo of a traditional dining room in Nashville with medium hardwood floors, a two-sided fireplace, a brick fireplace surround and multi-coloured walls.

Shea Custom

Shea Homes Charlotte

Matthew Benham
Large transitional dining room in Charlotte with red walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and a brick fireplace surround.

Open Concept Main Level Flowing into Living Room, Dining Space, and Kitchen

Powell Homes & Renovations

The dining room allows for easy access to the kitchen, but still offers privacy from the hustle and bustle of cooking.
Large arts and crafts kitchen/dining combo in Seattle with green walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and a brick fireplace surround.

72 Poplar

Cortina & Käll

Francisco Cortina
Design ideas for an expansive contemporary dining room in New York with blue walls, medium hardwood floors, a ribbon fireplace and a brick fireplace surround.

Coatesville Residence

CWB Construction Limited

Large country open plan dining in Auckland with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace surround and brown floor.

Craft Room and Dining Room-Reimagined Spaces

RL Design

Blue Gator Photography
Photo of a mid-sized eclectic dining room in San Francisco with grey walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and a brick fireplace surround.

Living room and dining room with reclaimed wood beams on vaulted ceiling

Collaborative Interior Design

Design ideas for a small country open plan dining with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace surround and brown floor.

Gulf Home 1

Beau Interiors

Photo of a beach style dining room in Miami with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace surround and brown floor.

Brown 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!