My Houzz: DIY Creativity Lights Up a Cozy Pennsylvania Home

Photo: Sara Bates © 2013 Houzz
Inspiration for a country dining room in Philadelphia with multi-coloured walls and medium hardwood floors.

Farmhouse Kitchen, Dining Table & recaimed barnwood paneling

Gepetto Millworks

Neil Cowley
This is an example of a mid-sized country kitchen/dining combo in Richmond with multi-coloured walls, medium hardwood floors and no fireplace.

Fossil Creek Project

Home Suite Design & Realty

This is an example of a country kitchen/dining combo in Denver with multi-coloured walls, light hardwood floors and beige floor.

Dining Room

Steph Gaelick Designs

This is an example of a country dining room in New York with multi-coloured walls, light hardwood floors, beige floor and wallpaper.

Ultimate Chef Kitchen

Two Chefs Construction

This is an example of a mid-sized country kitchen/dining combo in New York with multi-coloured walls, medium hardwood floors, no fireplace and brown floor.

My Houzz: An Antique Cape Cod House Explodes With Color

Rikki Snyder

More Polished Farmhouse

Alison Kandler Interior Design

Mark Lohman
Photo of a country separate dining room in Los Angeles with multi-coloured walls, medium hardwood floors and brown floor.

The Christmas Season

Tony Martin Homes and Martin Interior Designs

Instead of the usual fare, we chose to have a Christmas lunch buffet. Here you can see our table, and a peek of the fireplace, exquisitely dressed for Christmas.

カントリーダイニング

This is an example of a country open plan dining in Nagoya with multi-coloured walls, light hardwood floors and brown floor.

Décoration

Eric Toussaint Photographe

Inspiration for a large country separate dining room in Strasbourg with medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, multi-coloured walls and a metal fireplace surround.

Forge

Neil Davis

neil davis
Inspiration for a country open plan dining in Other with multi-coloured walls, medium hardwood floors, a brick fireplace surround and beige floor.

Dining room wallpaper ideas

Wallpaperdirect UK

An all over wallpaper featuring a retro, geometric trailing design. Shown here in the white and pink colourway.
Photo of a country dining room in Sussex with multi-coloured walls.

Dining Room

Porth Architects, Ltd.

Great room with media alcove on the left. Roger Wade photo.
This is an example of a large country open plan dining in Other with multi-coloured walls and dark hardwood floors.

Alpine Chalet

GALUCHAT

Inspiration for an expansive country open plan dining in Other with multi-coloured walls, concrete floors, a wood stove, a stone fireplace surround and grey floor.

Fancy a cuppa?

TKS Design Group

Download our free ebook, Creating the Ideal Kitchen. DOWNLOAD NOW This family from Wheaton was ready to remodel their kitchen, dining room and powder room. The project didn’t call for any structural or space planning changes but the makeover still had a massive impact on their home. The homeowners wanted to change their dated 1990’s brown speckled granite and light maple kitchen. They liked the welcoming feeling they got from the wood and warm tones in their current kitchen, but this style clashed with their vision of a deVOL type kitchen, a London-based furniture company. Their inspiration came from the country homes of the UK that mix the warmth of traditional detail with clean lines and modern updates. To create their vision, we started with all new framed cabinets with a modified overlay painted in beautiful, understated colors. Our clients were adamant about “no white cabinets.” Instead we used an oyster color for the perimeter and a custom color match to a specific shade of green chosen by the homeowner. The use of a simple color pallet reduces the visual noise and allows the space to feel open and welcoming. We also painted the trim above the cabinets the same color to make the cabinets look taller. The room trim was painted a bright clean white to match the ceiling. In true English fashion our clients are not coffee drinkers, but they LOVE tea. We created a tea station for them where they can prepare and serve tea. We added plenty of glass to showcase their tea mugs and adapted the cabinetry below to accommodate storage for their tea items. Function is also key for the English kitchen and the homeowners. They requested a deep farmhouse sink and a cabinet devoted to their heavy mixer because they bake a lot. We then got rid of the stovetop on the island and wall oven and replaced both of them with a range located against the far wall. This gives them plenty of space on the island to roll out dough and prepare any number of baked goods. We then removed the bifold pantry doors and created custom built-ins with plenty of usable storage for all their cooking and baking needs. The client wanted a big change to the dining room but still wanted to use their own furniture and rug. We installed a toile-like wallpaper on the top half of the room and supported it with white wainscot paneling. We also changed out the light fixture, showing us once again that small changes can have a big impact. As the final touch, we also re-did the powder room to be in line with the rest of the first floor. We had the new vanity painted in the same oyster color as the kitchen cabinets and then covered the walls in a whimsical patterned wallpaper. Although the homeowners like subtle neutral colors they were willing to go a bit bold in the powder room for something unexpected. For more design inspiration go to: www.kitchenstudio-ge.com

Lambert Ranch Trail

Duet Design Group

Rustic Modern Dining Room, Photo by David Lauer
Inspiration for a mid-sized country kitchen/dining combo in Denver with multi-coloured walls, dark hardwood floors, no fireplace and brown floor.

Commercial - Rustic Restaurant Cafe

LNDesigns

Having worked ten years in hospitality, I understand the challenges of restaurant operation and how smart interior design can make a huge difference in overcoming them. This once country cottage café needed a facelift to bring it into the modern day but we honoured its already beautiful features by stripping back the lack lustre walls to expose the original brick work and constructing dark paneling to contrast. The rustic bar was made out of 100 year old floorboards and the shelves and lighting fixtures were created using hand-soldered scaffold pipe for an industrial edge. The old front of house bar was repurposed to make bespoke banquet seating with storage, turning the high traffic hallway area from an avoid zone for couples to an enviable space for groups.

Farmhouse Dining Room

This is an example of a country dining room in New York with multi-coloured walls and a standard fireplace.

the watch tower in Montedinove, Le Marche

Massimo Ulissi architetto

This is an example of a mid-sized country kitchen/dining combo in Other with multi-coloured walls, concrete floors, a standard fireplace and a brick fireplace surround.

Riva Ridge

JH Builders

Inspiration for a large country kitchen/dining combo in Other with multi-coloured walls, dark hardwood floors, a two-sided fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and brown floor.

Country Dining Room Design Ideas with Multi-coloured Walls

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!