Михаил Чекалов
Photo of a mediterranean kitchen/dining combo in Other with white walls, a two-sided fireplace, a brick fireplace surround and beige floor.

Modern Organic Stamford on the water

Trillium Architects

David Lindsay, Advanced Photographix
This is an example of a mid-sized beach style open plan dining in New York with white walls, light hardwood floors, no fireplace, beige floor and a brick fireplace surround.

Mid-Century Modern, Whole House Renovation in Spring Mill Indianapolis

WrightWorks, LLC

The custom walnut dining table with live edge is served by Herman Miller Tulip chairs. The dining table pendant lights are Hive Fucsia 1s. Photo by Christopher Wright, CR

Knollwood Cove

Mosier Luxury Homes

This is an example of a mid-sized midcentury open plan dining in Austin with white walls, concrete floors, a ribbon fireplace, a brick fireplace surround and beige floor.

Canterbury - Columbus, Ohio

User

This is an example of a mid-sized eclectic open plan dining in Columbus with beige walls, carpet, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace surround and beige floor.

Laurelhurst Mid Century Modern

Darren Patt Construction

Inspiration for a large midcentury open plan dining in Seattle with beige walls, ceramic floors, a corner fireplace, a brick fireplace surround and beige floor.

1945 Farmhouse.

Sensible Build Inc.

Mid-sized country separate dining room in Other with white walls, light hardwood floors, a wood stove, a brick fireplace surround and beige floor.

Manor Cottage

Mailen Architects

Peter Landers
Photo of a mid-sized scandinavian open plan dining in Oxfordshire with white walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace surround and beige floor.

Oyster Harbors Estate: Dining Room

DANE AUSTIN INTERIOR DESIGN Boston & Cambridge

When this 6,000-square-foot vacation home suffered water damage in its family room, the homeowners decided it was time to update the interiors at large. They wanted an elegant, sophisticated, and comfortable style that served their lives but also required a design that would preserve and enhance various existing details. To begin, we focused on the timeless and most interesting aspects of the existing design. Details such as Spanish tile floors in the entry and kitchen were kept, as were the dining room's spirited marine-blue combed walls, which were refinished to add even more depth. A beloved lacquered linen coffee table was also incorporated into the great room's updated design. To modernize the interior, we looked to the home's gorgeous water views, bringing in colors and textures that related to sand, sea, and sky. In the great room, for example, textured wall coverings, nubby linen, woven chairs, and a custom mosaic backsplash all refer to the natural colors and textures just outside. Likewise, a rose garden outside the master bedroom and study informed color selections there. We updated lighting and plumbing fixtures and added a mix of antique and new furnishings. In the great room, seating and tables were specified to fit multiple configurations – the sofa can be moved to a window bay to maximize summer views, for example, but can easily be moved by the fireplace during chillier months. Project designed by Boston interior design Dane Austin Design. Dane serves Boston, Cambridge, Hingham, Cohasset, Newton, Weston, Lexington, Concord, Dover, Andover, Gloucester, as well as surrounding areas. For more about Dane Austin Design, click here: https://daneaustindesign.com/ To learn more about this project, click here: https://daneaustindesign.com/oyster-harbors-estate

Wohn- & Esszimmer

Celine Ratey Interior & Design

This is an example of a large contemporary open plan dining in Other with white walls, laminate floors, a wood stove, a brick fireplace surround, beige floor and brick walls.

Taylors Drive

Blanton Design & Staging

Intimate dining space leads into formal living room
Photo of a mid-sized modern kitchen/dining combo in Austin with blue walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace surround and beige floor.

Rockwall Masterpiece

Vernon Wentz

This is another wonderful example of a mid century modern home. The home has great views of the outdoor space from every area of the home. Photography by Vernon Wentz of Ad Imagery

Commercial - Rustic Restaurant Cafe

LNDesigns

Having worked ten years in hospitality, I understand the challenges of restaurant operation and how smart interior design can make a huge difference in overcoming them. This once country cottage café needed a facelift to bring it into the modern day but we honoured its already beautiful features by stripping back the lack lustre walls to expose the original brick work and constructing dark paneling to contrast. The rustic bar was made out of 100 year old floorboards and the shelves and lighting fixtures were created using hand-soldered scaffold pipe for an industrial edge. The old front of house bar was repurposed to make bespoke banquet seating with storage, turning the high traffic hallway area from an avoid zone for couples to an enviable space for groups.

Contemporary Farmhouse

EKO Development

Inspiration for a small transitional kitchen/dining combo in New York with white walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace surround and beige floor.

Coastal modern farmhouse dining room built in

Amy Fox Interiors

Design ideas for a large beach style kitchen/dining combo in Miami with white walls, porcelain floors, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace surround and beige floor.

FUN! HOUSE!

こぢこぢ一級建築士事務所

Inspiration for a contemporary open plan dining in Other with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a wood stove, a brick fireplace surround and beige floor.

Triangle Modernist Home Renovation

Richter-Norton Architecture, pllc

Renovated deck House Dining Room, photo by Richter-Norton Architecture.
Design ideas for an arts and crafts kitchen/dining combo in Raleigh with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a two-sided fireplace, a brick fireplace surround and beige floor.

College Park Mid Century Remodel

Canin Associates' Architecture Studio

Design ideas for a mid-sized contemporary open plan dining in Orlando with white walls, concrete floors, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace surround and beige floor.

1945 Farmhouse.

Sensible Build Inc.

This is an example of a mid-sized country separate dining room in Other with white walls, light hardwood floors, a wood stove, a brick fireplace surround and beige floor.

Harlem Townhouse

Gradient Architecture PLLC

Design ideas for a large modern open plan dining in New York with white walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace surround and beige floor.

Dining Room Design Ideas with a Brick Fireplace Surround and Beige Floor

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!