Design ideas for a transitional kitchen/dining combo in Grand Rapids with dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a metal fireplace surround, brown floor, grey walls and vaulted.

European Wine Country

Julia Katrine Designs

Beautiful, expansive room for hosting long evening dinners. Reclaimed wood beams bring warmth and dimension to this vaulted space.. Custom chandeliers fit perfectly in the space.

European Wine Country

Julia Katrine Designs

Beautiful, expansive room for hosting long evening dinners. Reclaimed wood ceiling and beams are set against modern white oak built-ins and warm hickory flooring. Custom chandeliers fit perfectly in the space.

Skycrest 2

Asher Homes Inc.

This is an example of a large midcentury open plan dining in Other with white walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a tile fireplace surround, brown floor and vaulted.

Living Room

Larisa McShane & Associates

Beyond the glass panels is the living room, with the family’s grand piano and mirrored fireplace wall that incorporates invisible TV.
Expansive modern open plan dining in Philadelphia with grey walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a metal fireplace surround, black floor and recessed.

2019 Parade of Homes

Designs by Craig Veenker

Inspiration for a contemporary open plan dining in Salt Lake City with dark hardwood floors, a ribbon fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, brown floor and vaulted.

Elk Ridge 60

Centre Sky Architecture Ltd

The open floor plan of the main level flows from the Living Room, Dining and Kitchen. A large kitchen island adds additional seating when entertaining.

Las Gaviotas | Baja California, MX

Leanne Michael L U X E lifestyle design

The focal point of this dining / living room is the massive hand painted tile fireplace with it’s lovely collection of vintage Fausto Palanco Furniture with new updated hand gilded gold linen pillows from Rob Shaw and Stroheim upholstery with original art and decorative accessories collected throughout our travels through Mexico.

Barton Hills Residence

FLUX COLLABORATIVE

This is an example of a mid-sized contemporary kitchen/dining combo in Austin with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, brown floor and vaulted.

Marble Cliff Addition 20078

J.S. Brown & Co.

Just off the Home Bar and the family room is a cozy dining room complete with fireplace and reclaimed wood mantle. With a coffered ceiling, new window, and new doors, this is a lovely place to hang out after a meal.

Old Yacht Club

Elliott Architects

Design ideas for a beach style kitchen/dining combo in Other with dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, brown floor, exposed beam and panelled walls.

DANO'S ROUND PEDESTAL DINING TABLE

Open Door Furniture

t may be hard to tell from the photos but this custom round dining table is huge! We created this for our client to be 8.5 feet in diameter. The lazy Susan that sits on top of it is actually 5 feet in diameter. But in the space, it was absolutely perfect. The groove around the perimeter is a subtle but nice detail that draws your eye in. The base is reinforced with floating mortise and tenon joinery and the underside of the table is laced with large steel c channels to keep the large table top flat over time. The dark and rich finish goes beautifully with the classic paneled bright interior of the home. This dining table was hand made in San Diego, California.

建て主とつくる最小限の住まい

株式会社千葉工務店

Asian dining room in Other with medium hardwood floors, a wood stove, a stone fireplace surround and exposed beam.

Kitchen and Master Bathroom Remodel, Seattle

Armada Design & Build

Design ideas for a transitional open plan dining in Seattle with blue walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace surround, brown floor, timber and vaulted.

Trousdale Beverly Hills luxury home modern fireplace & dining room

Whipple Russell Architects

Trousdale Beverly Hills luxury home modern fireplace & dining room. Photo by Jason Speth.
This is an example of a mid-sized modern kitchen/dining combo in Los Angeles with beige walls, porcelain floors, a two-sided fireplace, white floor and recessed.

Tilden Signature | Modin Rigid LVP Collection Customer Space | IL

Flooret

This LVP driftwood-inspired design balances overcast grey hues with subtle taupes. A smooth, calming style with a neutral undertone that works with all types of decor. With the Modin Collection, we have raised the bar on luxury vinyl plank. The result is a new standard in resilient flooring. Modin offers true embossed in register texture, a low sheen level, a rigid SPC core, an industry-leading wear layer, and so much more.

LAB | Tokio, Barcelona

Laboratorio de Arquitectura en Barcelona

Photo of a mid-sized contemporary open plan dining in Barcelona with grey walls, light hardwood floors, a ribbon fireplace, beige floor, decorative wall panelling, a metal fireplace surround and recessed.

Dinning Room in Chelsea Apartment, New York NY

Arsight

Nestled in a Chelsea, New York apartment lies an elegantly crafted dining room by Arsight, that effortlessly combines aesthetics with function. The open space enhanced by wooden accents of parquet flooring and an inviting dining table, breathes life into the room. With comfortable and aesthetically pleasing dining chairs encircling the table, this room not only facilitates dining experiences but also fosters memorable conversations.

Coastal Cottage waterside view

Cura Design

View of dining area and waterside
This is an example of a small beach style dining room in Devon with white walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, yellow floor, exposed beam and wood walls.

Casa de inspiración nórdica

Canexel Construcciones

Salón de estilo nórdico, luminoso y acogedor con gran contraste entre tonos blancos y negros.
Inspiration for a mid-sized scandinavian dining room in Barcelona with white walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a metal fireplace surround, white floor and vaulted.

All Fireplace Surrounds All Ceiling Designs 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!