This is an example of a large contemporary kitchen/dining combo in San Francisco with white walls, limestone floors, a two-sided fireplace, a plaster fireplace surround and grey floor.

Ortal Clear 130 TS Fireplace

Home and Hearth Outfitters

The Ortal Clear 130 TS Fireplace offers a clean, modern design and modern safety features.
Contemporary dining room in Denver with white walls, ceramic floors, a ribbon fireplace and a plaster fireplace surround.

Contemporary house on the beach in Jacksonville

Severine Photography

Designed by Morales Construction Co., Inc. Photographs by Severine Photography.
Contemporary open plan dining in Jacksonville with white walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and a plaster fireplace surround.

Wohnhaus in Karlsruhe Durlach

Atelier Altenkirch

Architekturbüro Jan Jander, Karlsruhe
This is an example of an expansive contemporary open plan dining in Berlin with white walls, a plaster fireplace surround, vinyl floors and a ribbon fireplace.

Lexington Avenue Apartment NYC

ORA Studio NYC by Giusi Mastro

Richard Cadan Photography
Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary open plan dining in New York with white walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a plaster fireplace surround and grey floor.

Liang - Woodland Hills - New Construction

Pearl Remodeling

Luxury Dining Room
Design ideas for a mid-sized contemporary kitchen/dining combo in Los Angeles with white walls, dark hardwood floors, a two-sided fireplace, a plaster fireplace surround and brown floor.

Wellington Court

Graham Atkins-Hughes Photography

This is an example of a mid-sized contemporary open plan dining in London with beige walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a plaster fireplace surround and brown floor.

Hard Surface Custom Flooring Projects

Beach Hardwood Floors, Inc.

This is an example of a mid-sized contemporary open plan dining in Orange County with white walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a plaster fireplace surround and beige floor.

Private Residence Woodland Extension

Ben Cunliffe Architects Ltd

tonywestphoto.co.uk
This is an example of a large contemporary kitchen/dining combo in Other with medium hardwood floors, brown floor, white walls, a two-sided fireplace and a plaster fireplace surround.

Wood Stoves

Homestead Stove Company

Jotul F 370 wood or gas stove. Photo from Jotul for wood stove.
Photo of a mid-sized contemporary dining room in Portland with a wood stove, a plaster fireplace surround, white walls and concrete floors.

Urban Condo

RLH Studio

Steven Henke Studio
Design ideas for a contemporary open plan dining in Minneapolis with white walls, light hardwood floors, a two-sided fireplace and a plaster fireplace surround.

Complete home remodel in Sherman oaks

Spazio LA

The renovated dining room, kitchen, bar area and living room feature an open floor place concept to create a spacious, airy and bright space. The center of the photo features the dining room, with the kitchen to the right and the matching custom bar to the left.

craneford way

3s architects

Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary open plan dining in London with grey walls, light hardwood floors, a wood stove, a plaster fireplace surround and brown floor.

Gathering

Keough Stearns Interiors

Photo of a large contemporary dining room in New York with white walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and a plaster fireplace surround.

View

Hawk & Co.

Polished interior contrasts the raw downtown skyline Book matched onyx floors Solid parson's style stone vanity Herringbone stitched leather tunnel Bronze glass dividers reflect the downtown skyline throughout the unit Custom modernist style light fixtures Hand waxed and polished artisan plaster Double sided central fireplace State of the art custom kitchen with leather finished waterfall countertops Raw concrete columns Polished black nickel tv wall panels capture the recessed TV Custom silk area rugs throughout eclectic mix of antique and custom furniture succulent-scattered wrap-around terrace with dj set-up, outdoor tv viewing area and bar photo credit: Evan Duning

Contemporary Dining Room

Contemporary dining room in Dallas with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and a plaster fireplace surround.

Passivhaus in Pirna

Reiter Architekten

Design ideas for a large contemporary kitchen/dining combo in Dresden with beige walls, medium hardwood floors, a two-sided fireplace and a plaster fireplace surround.

Tarzana

Trinity Builders & Design, Inc.

Design ideas for a mid-sized contemporary open plan dining in Los Angeles with white walls, a standard fireplace, a plaster fireplace surround, medium hardwood floors and brown floor.

Hampstead Garden Suburb - Full Refurbishment

Claudia Dorsch Interior Design Ltd

Design ideas for a large contemporary separate dining room in London with blue walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a plaster fireplace surround and beige floor.

Captain's House on Cape Cod

Bee's Knees Design, LLC

Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary kitchen/dining combo in Boston with beige walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a plaster fireplace surround and brown floor.

Contemporary Dining Room Design Ideas with a Plaster Fireplace Surround

A contemporary 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 contemporary 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 contemporary 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 contemporary 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!