- Dining Photos
Dining Room Design Ideas
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!
Whether you want inspiration for planning a dining room renovation or are building a designer dining room from scratch, Houzz has 634,105 images from the best designers, decorators, and architects in the country, including Refined Edge Homes and studio mkn. Look through dining room photos in different colours and styles and when you find a dining room design that inspires you, save it to an Ideabook or contact the Pro who made it happen to see what kind of design ideas they have for your home. Explore the beautiful dining room ideas photo gallery and find out exactly why Houzz is the best experience for home renovation and design.
Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary kitchen/dining combo in Perth with grey walls and grey floor.
Timber in kitchen - webuser_167536487
This is an example of a contemporary open plan dining in Sydney with white walls, medium hardwood floors and beige floor.
Textured surround around fireplace - sbarbera126
Cheyne Toomey @CTP__
Contemporary dining room in Melbourne with white walls, medium hardwood floors and brown floor.
The colour on the chairs - kaug21
Design ideas for a contemporary dining room in Brisbane with white walls, medium hardwood floors and brown floor.
Wood paneling detail - karmayhan
Tatjana Plitt
Contemporary dining room in Melbourne.
Dark ceiling and leather banquette - andreacoull
Pilcher Residential
Inspiration for a traditional separate dining room in Sydney with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a plaster fireplace surround and brown floor.
Nicole England
Contemporary open plan dining in Melbourne with white walls, light hardwood floors, no fireplace and beige floor.
dining and kitchen together. Space for big table overlooking outside - k_a_daniell
Kyle Manning - Manning PR
Transitional open plan dining in Newcastle - Maitland with white walls, medium hardwood floors and brown floor.
Cupboards above stove - fiona_wicks
This is an example of an industrial open plan dining in Perth with grey walls, concrete floors and grey floor.
like the industrial concrete look - dylan_watson10
The Room Illuminated
Contemporary open plan dining in Melbourne with beige walls, medium hardwood floors and brown floor.
like darker grey but not lite wood - katie_hudson95
Christopher Frederick Jones
Design ideas for a mid-sized modern kitchen/dining combo in Brisbane with porcelain floors, grey floor and white walls.
Love this Table - tradara
Jody D'Arcy
This is an example of a large beach style open plan dining in Perth with grey walls and white floor.
blue lounge natural light timber table - jocelyn_iwhite
Design ideas for a mid-sized beach style open plan dining in Sydney with white walls, dark hardwood floors and no fireplace.
Yellow Splash against white dining. - tehzeebraina
Tom Roe Photography
Photo of a mid-sized contemporary kitchen/dining combo in Melbourne with white walls, concrete floors and grey floor.
L shaped kitchen with garden view - ttejadab
Eileen Gray inspired bench seat – The Bibendum Chair was itself a reference to the famous Michelin Man, also named Bibendum. Easy to draw but difficult to execute: the sculpting of the foam stuffing and the double curving at the ends posed a number of challenges for the upholsterer. The base of the joinery is panelled with stained American oak veneers with routed “V” grooves.
© Justin Alexander
Strength of the blue colour that defines the space. - anna_colussi
“…Make this house feel like a home” was the brief from the young family who own this stunning free-standing Victorian home in Bronte. Injecting the family’s lively personality into this blank canvas was key to the brief along with maintaining child-friendly materials and finishes that were durable yet beautiful. We worked closely with the client to intertwine their personal collection of artworks and treasures with original mid-century modern furniture, vintage rugs, and collectables. From the entry hall to the bedrooms and through to the living area and dining room, each space was carefully considered to ensure we created an overall sophisticated yet eclectic look and feel.
CREDITS
Photography: Tom Ferguson
pendant lights over dining table - danielleb44
Photo of a contemporary dining room in Sydney with black walls, light hardwood floors, a ribbon fireplace, a wood fireplace surround and brown floor.
High windows either side of fireplace - leoniejdavey1011
Photo of a scandinavian dining room in Perth with white walls, medium hardwood floors and brown floor.
clean and fresh - marg_dufty