John Magor
Mid-sized country dining room in Richmond with white walls and dark hardwood floors.

Rustic Dining Room

Large country dining room in San Francisco.

Space Conscious Design Kitchen

Figura Kitchens & Interiors

A small kitchen designed around the oak beams, resulting in a space conscious design. All units were painted & with a stone work surface. The Acorn door handles were designed specially for this clients kitchen. In the corner a curved bench was attached onto the wall creating additional seating around a circular table. The large wall pantry with bi-fold doors creates a fantastic workstation & storage area for food & appliances. The small island adds an extra work surface and has storage space.

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Country Dining Room

Photo of a country dining room in London with brick floors.

Country Residence

Erskine Associates LLC

Design ideas for a mid-sized country separate dining room in New York with white walls and slate floors.

Starry Night Farm

User

Design ideas for a country separate dining room in Philadelphia with beige walls, dark hardwood floors and a standard fireplace.

Traditional Escape

Rojahn Custom Cabinetry

Small country kitchen/dining combo in Philadelphia with medium hardwood floors and brown floor.

Country Dining Room Design Ideas

A country 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 country 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 country 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 country 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!

Tahoe Ridge House

WA Design Architects

Copyrights: WA design
Design ideas for a country kitchen/dining combo in San Francisco with white walls and medium hardwood floors.

Casual By The Lake

Splash Kitchens & Baths LLC

New Construction- The big challenge of this kitchen was the lack of wall cabinet space due to the large number of windows, and the client’s desire to have furniture in the kitchen . The view over a private lake is worth the trade, but finding a place to put dishes and glasses became problematic. The house was designed by Architect, Jack Jenkins and he allowed for a walk in pantry around the corner that accommodates smaller countertop appliances, food and a second refrigerator. Back at the Kitchen, Dishes & glasses were placed in drawers that were customized to accommodate taller tumblers. Base cabinets included rollout drawers to maximize the storage. The bookcase acts as a mini-drop off for keys on the way out the door. A second oven was placed on the island, so the microwave could be placed higher than countertop level on one of the only walls in the kitchen. Wall space was exclusively dedicated to appliances. The furniture pcs in the kitchen was selected and designed into the plan with dish storage in mind, but feels spontaneous in this casual and warm space. Homeowners have grown children, who are often home. Their extended family is very large family. Father’s Day they had a small gathering of 24 people, so the kitchen was the heart of activity. The house has a very restful feel and casually entertain often.Multiple work zones for multiple people. Plenty of space to lay out buffet style meals for large gatherings.Sconces at window, slat board walls, brick tile backsplash, Bathroom Vanity, Mudroom, & Kitchen Space designed by Tara Hutchens CKB, CBD (Designer at Splash Kitchens & Baths) Finishes and Styling by Cathy Winslow (owner of Splash Kitchens & Baths) Photos by Tom Harper.

Eagle Harbor Cabin

FINNE Architects

The Eagle Harbor Cabin is located on a wooded waterfront property on Lake Superior, at the northerly edge of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, about 300 miles northeast of Minneapolis. The wooded 3-acre site features the rocky shoreline of Lake Superior, a lake that sometimes behaves like the ocean. The 2,000 SF cabin cantilevers out toward the water, with a 40-ft. long glass wall facing the spectacular beauty of the lake. The cabin is composed of two simple volumes: a large open living/dining/kitchen space with an open timber ceiling structure and a 2-story “bedroom tower,” with the kids’ bedroom on the ground floor and the parents’ bedroom stacked above. The interior spaces are wood paneled, with exposed framing in the ceiling. The cabinets use PLYBOO, a FSC-certified bamboo product, with mahogany end panels. The use of mahogany is repeated in the custom mahogany/steel curvilinear dining table and in the custom mahogany coffee table. The cabin has a simple, elemental quality that is enhanced by custom touches such as the curvilinear maple entry screen and the custom furniture pieces. The cabin utilizes native Michigan hardwoods such as maple and birch. The exterior of the cabin is clad in corrugated metal siding, offset by the tall fireplace mass of Montana ledgestone at the east end. The house has a number of sustainable or “green” building features, including 2x8 construction (40% greater insulation value); generous glass areas to provide natural lighting and ventilation; large overhangs for sun and snow protection; and metal siding for maximum durability. Sustainable interior finish materials include bamboo/plywood cabinets, linoleum floors, locally-grown maple flooring and birch paneling, and low-VOC paints.