Richard & Caroline's kitchen was one of the biggest spaces we've had the pleasure of working on, yet this vast space has a very homely and welcoming feeling. Texture has played a huge part in this design, with a mixture of materials all working in harmony and adding interest. This property could be classed as a modern farmhouse, and the interior reflects this mix of traditional and modern. It's home to a young family, and we're loving Caroline's playful use of colour and accessories! As well as the meticulously designed kitchen, we created a modern storage area at the dining end to pull the two spaces together.

Magnolia Transitionaldi

Morning Star Builders LTD

Photo of a large transitional open plan dining in Houston with white walls, laminate floors, grey floor and recessed.

Country French Estate

Nina Williams Interiors

This is an example of a mid-sized open plan dining in Miami with white walls, light hardwood floors and brown floor.

Blackheath Town House Children's Play Rom, Under Stairs Storage and Window Seat

Carpenter & Carpenter Limited

A bespoke fitted bay window sofa was added to the dining room. It has a solid oak front edge with oak legs and small oak pads inserted into the ends of the three backrests .

Salem Townhouse Dining Room

Rehabitat

Inspiration for a transitional separate dining room in New York with green walls, dark hardwood floors and brown floor.

LakeStone

Bear Mountain Builders

Bar and Poker Table
This is an example of a mid-sized country open plan dining in Other with dark hardwood floors, brown walls and brown floor.

Willow Glen Modern Farmhouse

Arch Studio, Inc.

New construction of a 3,100 square foot single-story home in a modern farmhouse style designed by Arch Studio, Inc. licensed architects and interior designers. Built by Brooke Shaw Builders located in the charming Willow Glen neighborhood of San Jose, CA. Architecture & Interior Design by Arch Studio, Inc. Photography by Eric Rorer

Mid Century Modern Remodel

Kelly Martin Interiors

This remodel was located in the Hollywood Hills of Los Angeles. The dining room features authentic mid century modern furniture and a colorful Louis Poulsen pendant.

Micieli Design New Project

Micieli Design

dining table with extension
Design ideas for a mid-sized contemporary open plan dining in Toronto with white walls, dark hardwood floors and brown floor.

Ogden Duplex New Builds

Interior Design Shoppe

Photo of a mid-sized contemporary open plan dining in Calgary with beige walls, vinyl floors, no fireplace and grey floor.

Dream Cottage with a View

Mary Hannah Interiors

Large beach style separate dining room in Other with white walls, medium hardwood floors, no fireplace and red floor.

Earthwind Elegant Kitchen and Living Room

Alair Homes Plano

Our clients wanted to open up their living space for better flow so that they could entertain friends and family in a more functional space. They wanted to remove the wall separating the family room and the kitchen and completely gut the kitchen and start over. This also entailed removing the built-in bar area and breakfast nook. They weren’t sure if they wanted to keep the skylight or if it would even work with the new layout or not. The various ceiling heights were also going to be a challenge in the family room and breakfast nook. They also wanted to explore options for a dry bar and/or a coffee bar area. They wanted to keep their new kitchen classic, simple, and clean, and they definitely needed design help to see what it was going to look like. We removed the door to the hallway, closed off the pass-through to the wet bar, and moved two doors on the opposite end of the kitchen. Most importantly, we removed the large built-in bookcase wall between the kitchen and living room! The entire kitchen was demolished, and the renovation began. Linen painted Waypoint cabinets were installed with Successi French Gold hardware. Our client picked out gorgeous Sea Pearl quartzite countertops, making this kitchen clean and sophisticated, with a subtle backsplash using Nabi Tundra 3x6 Ceramic Tile to create a slight contrast. A white Platus 33” single-basin farmhouse fireclay kitchen sink with an apron front was put in, giving it that modern farmhouse feel. All new stainless steel Thermador appliances were installed, really making this kitchen pop! To top it off, the skylight remained as-is and worked perfectly with the new layout, sitting directly above the center of the new large island. Two Darlana small lantern island pendants from Visual Comfort were hung to add a simple, decorative touch to the center of their new open kitchen. New built-ins were installed in the dining area, with floor-to-ceiling cabinets on either end for extra storage and glass front cabinets in the center, above a gorgeous coffee bar. Our clients chose a Metrolume Chandelier from Shades of Light to hang over the dining room table and create a warm eating area. This space went from totally closed off and not their style to a beautiful, classic kitchen that our clients absolutely love. Their boys and their dog, Rusty, also love their new, wide-open living space!

Old Grove- Antebellum Estate

Nautilus Homes

Old Grove estate formal dining room with coffered ceilings, custom build in display cases. Right hallway leads to formal den, built in cabinetry, guest bathroom, and over sized laundry room. Left hallway leads to ktichen, mudroom, screened in porch, and pantry with painted floors. Design and Architecture: William B. Litchfield Builder: Nautilus Homes Photos: Jessica Glynn www.jessicaglynn.com

Maida Vale Family Home Renovation

Catherine Wilman Interiors

Open plan dining area from the kitchen leading out into the garden at the family home in Maida Vale, London. Photography: Alexander James
Photo of a large industrial dining room in London with light hardwood floors, beige walls and beige floor.

Colorful Midcentury Los Angeles, CA

Lauren Jacobsen Interior Design

This breakfast area was a much lower wainscot and cut the room in half. Bad proportions. By raising the height and simplifying the style the room appears taller and brighter. Wallpaper could then be added as a nice warm element of design. We even commissioned the artwork of the coffee cups. Everything thought out to the last detail.

Modern Farmhouse New Built

reDesign home | chicago

Design ideas for a large transitional kitchen/dining combo in Chicago with white walls, brown floor and light hardwood floors.

Modern Farmhouse

Jane Group Inc.

Custom Niche Modern Lighting over bespoke dining table with steel windows and doors. Photo by Jeff Herr Photography.
Design ideas for a large country open plan dining in Atlanta with white walls, no fireplace, brown floor and dark hardwood floors.

Marvelous Mid Century

The Remodel Group

Photo of a mid-sized midcentury separate dining room in Portland with green walls, medium hardwood floors, a two-sided fireplace, a tile fireplace surround and brown floor.

50 Liberty 1

Elms Interior Design

Photography by Michael J. Lee
This is an example of a mid-sized contemporary kitchen/dining combo in Boston with grey walls, dark hardwood floors and brown floor.

106 Day Street Newton ma

Amy Mizner, Benoit Mizner Simon & Co.

http://106daystreet.com
Photo of a large transitional open plan dining in Boston with yellow walls and medium hardwood floors.

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!