New Yorkers are always on the prowl for innovative ways to make the most of the space they have. An upper east side couple, challenged with a slightly narrow L shaped apartment sought out Decor Aid’s help to make the most of their Manhattan condo. Paired with one of our senior designer, Kimberly P., we learned that the clients wanted a space that looked beautiful, comfortable and also packed with functionality for everyday living. “Immediately upon seeing the space, I knew that we needed to create a narrative that allowed the design to control how you moved through the space,” reports Kimberly, senior interior designer. After surveying each room and learning a bit more about their personal style, we started with the living room remodel. It was clear that the couple wanted to infuse mid-century modern into the design plan. Sourcing the Room & Board Jasper Sofa with its narrow arms and tapered legs, it offered the mid-century look, with the modern comfort the clients are used to. Velvet accent pillows from West Elm and Crate & Barrel add pops of colors but also a subtle touch of luxury, while framed pictures from the couple’s honeymoon personalize the space. Moving to the dining room next, Kimberly decided to add a blue accent wall to emphasize the Horchow two piece Percussion framed art that was to be the focal point of the dining area. The Seno sideboard from Article perfectly accentuated the mid-century style the clients loved while providing much-needed storage space. The palette used throughout both rooms were very New York style, grays, blues, beiges, and whites, to add depth, Kimberly sourced decorative pieces in a mixture of different metals. “The artwork above their bureau in the bedroom is photographs that her father took,” Moving into the bedroom renovation, our designer made sure to continue to stick to the client’s style preference while once again creating a personalized, warm and comforting space by including the photographs taken by the client’s father. The Avery bed added texture and complimented the other colors in the room, while a hidden drawer at the foot pulls out for attached storage, which thrilled the clients. A deco-inspired Faceted mirror from West Elm was a perfect addition to the bedroom due to the illusion of space it provides. The result was a bedroom that was full of mid-century design, personality, and area so they can freely move around. The project resulted in the form of a layered mid-century modern design with touches of luxury but a space that can not only be lived in but serves as an extension of the people who live there. Our designer was able to take a very narrowly shaped Manhattan apartment and revamp it into a spacious home that is great for sophisticated entertaining or comfortably lazy nights in.

Lakehill Home

Studio Neshama

Design ideas for a contemporary dining room in Dallas with white walls, dark hardwood floors, no fireplace and brown floor.

ALDAMAR 2

Mikel Irastorza

Inspiration for a tropical dining room in Other with multi-coloured walls, light hardwood floors, no fireplace and beige floor.

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Stunning Farmhouse Home Remodel

Milgard Windows & Doors

In the dining room, French out-swing patio doors are flanked by two casement windows. The matching grid patterns on both the windows and doors help maintain a cohesive look without appearing too busy. Together, the windows and doors immediately draw your eyes in with their dark, distinct look, but are complemented by the black accents and furnishings placed around the room.

SUMMER CAMP I

Covenant Building & Design

Inspiration for a country separate dining room in Richmond with grey walls, light hardwood floors and no fireplace.

River Forest Victorian

Megan Opel Interiors

This is an example of a traditional separate dining room in Chicago with white walls, medium hardwood floors and no fireplace.

Beach House

Nick George | Photographer

Nick George
Inspiration for a mid-sized beach style separate dining room in Sussex with white walls, no fireplace and grey floor.

Newport Coast, CA

Passione

Photo of a mediterranean dining room in Orange County with no fireplace.

Custom Home

Sally Trout Interior Design

This is an example of a tropical dining room in Tampa with beige walls and no fireplace.

Degrassi

Wanda Ely Architect Inc.

Design ideas for a contemporary open plan dining in Toronto.

Tuscan Estate

Stotler Design Group

Custom Home Designed by Stotler Design Group, Inc.
Design ideas for a mediterranean open plan dining in San Francisco.

Dining Room

Chalet

Weather wood dining table. Interiors by Chalet
Photo of a traditional dining room in Denver with beige walls and dark hardwood floors.

Menlo Park Ranch Addition/Remodel

Studio S Squared Architecture, Inc.

Design ideas for a traditional dining room in San Francisco with brown walls and dark hardwood floors.

Urban Townhome Breakfast Room

LORRAINE G VALE, Allied ASID

This lovely breakfast room, overlooking the garden, is an inviting place to start your day lingering over Sunday morning coffee. I had the walls painted in a soft coral, contrasting with various wood tones in the armoire, table and shades. It is all tied together by keeping the chair covers and rug light in color. The crystal chandelier is an unexpected element in a breakfast room, yet, your not compelled to pull out the china and silver.

Split Oaks Farm Dinign Room

LDa Architecture & Interiors

Design ideas for a country separate dining room in Boston with beige walls and dark hardwood floors.

Old Farm

Tatiana Kagan

Traditional dining room in Boston with yellow walls and medium hardwood floors.

Residential Clients Dream Home

Beasley & Henley Interior Design

Photo of a beach style dining room in Other with blue walls and no fireplace.

Concord New Farmhouse

Patrick Ahearn Architect

Greg Premru
This is an example of a mid-sized country separate dining room in Boston with no fireplace, multi-coloured walls and dark hardwood floors.

Northumberland Avenue Custom

M. Lahr Homes

Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional dining room in Orlando with grey walls, no fireplace and beige floor.

Dining Room Design Ideas

A 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 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!

Mountain Shadows - Summit

IMI Design, LLC

Anita Lang - IMI Design - Scottsdale, AZ
Inspiration for a large contemporary open plan dining in Phoenix with beige walls, beige floor, no fireplace and laminate floors.