This is an example of a country dining room in Brisbane with white walls, medium hardwood floors, brown floor and planked wall panelling.

Mountain Peek

Centre Sky Architecture Ltd

Design ideas for a large country open plan dining in Other with medium hardwood floors, a stone fireplace surround, brown floor and a corner fireplace.

Modern Mountain Cabin

HMH Architecture + Interiors

Dining rooms don't have to be overly formal and stuffy. We especially love the custom credenza and the Sarus Mobile ©David Lauer Photography
Mid-sized country kitchen/dining combo in Denver with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and a concrete fireplace surround.

Rustic Remodel

New Rosslyn Construction

Inspiration for a small country open plan dining in Atlanta with white walls, medium hardwood floors, no fireplace and brown floor.

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.

Greenlea

Visbeen Architects

Photo of a mid-sized country open plan dining in Grand Rapids with white walls and medium hardwood floors.

#urbanfarmhouse - Casual Dining Room

Laura Fox Interior Design, LLC

Informal dining room with rustic round table, gray upholstered chairs, and built in window seat with firewood storage Photo by Stacy Zarin Goldberg Photography

Modern English Farmhouse | Hillsboro, Oregon

Westlake Development Group, LLC

Justin Krug Photography
Inspiration for a large country separate dining room in Portland with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and brown floor.

Hilltop Hideaway

Noble Johnson Architects

Informal dining and living area in the Great Room with wood beams on vaulted ceiling Photography: Garett + Carrie Buell of Studiobuell/ studiobuell.com.

Sticks and Stones

Post 31 Interiors

Emily Minton Redfield Photography Brad Norris Architecture
Photo of a large country open plan dining in Denver with white walls, medium hardwood floors, brown floor and no fireplace.

Scottsdale Ranch

RD Enterprises LLC

Inspiration for a large country dining room in Phoenix with medium hardwood floors and a corner fireplace.

Cedar View Lodge

Lohss Construction

Photo of a country dining room in Other with beige walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and a stone fireplace surround.

Westport Renovation-Turkey Hill House

Sellars Lathrop Architects, llc

Matthew Williams
Mid-sized country kitchen/dining combo in New York with no fireplace, white walls and medium hardwood floors.

Renovation: Senoia Farmhouse

Historical Concepts

Laurey W. Glenn (courtesy Southern Living)
Design ideas for a country dining room in Atlanta with white walls and medium hardwood floors.

Rustic Dining Room

Inspiration for a large country kitchen/dining combo in New York with white walls, medium hardwood floors and no fireplace.

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

The Rustic Modern

House Sprucing

Mid-sized country kitchen/dining combo in Dallas with grey walls, medium hardwood floors, no fireplace and brown floor.

Farmhouse Dining Room

Photo of an expansive country separate dining room in Boston with medium hardwood floors and brown floor.

Bishop Estates

Legacy Builders of North FL

photo by Jessie Preza
Photo of a country separate dining room in Jacksonville with beige walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and brown floor.

Red Ledges

Studio McGee

Design ideas for a mid-sized country open plan dining in Salt Lake City with white walls, medium hardwood floors and brown floor.

Country Dining Room Design Ideas with Medium Hardwood Floors

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!