Photo of a large transitional open plan dining in Boston with beige walls, a ribbon fireplace, a brick fireplace surround, grey floor and vinyl floors.

Nautical Navy

Cottage Company of Harbor Springs

Beth Singer
This is an example of a large traditional kitchen/dining combo in Other with white walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and a brick fireplace surround.

15th Ave.

Mint Home Decor

Crystal Waye Photo Design
Design ideas for a mid-sized transitional separate dining room in Los Angeles with medium hardwood floors, white walls, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace surround and brown floor.

Contemporary Craftsman on the Water

Kati Curtis Design

Design ideas for a large transitional open plan dining in New York with light hardwood floors, a two-sided fireplace, a brick fireplace surround, brown floor and beige walls.

Sunny Hills Home

City Life Home Furnishings

Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional dining room in Orange County with grey walls, medium hardwood floors and a brick fireplace surround.

1st bay tradition, Berkeley shingle

Kelly and Abramson Architecture

Inspiration for a large country open plan dining in San Francisco with brown walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace surround and brown floor.

Dining Nook & Coffee Bar & Kitchen - The Overbrook - Cascade Craftsman

Cascade West Development

Paint by Sherwin Williams Body Color - City Loft - SW 7631 Trim Color - Custom Color - SW 8975/3535 Master Suite & Guest Bath - Site White - SW 7070 Girls' Rooms & Bath - White Beet - SW 6287 Exposed Beams & Banister Stain - Banister Beige - SW 3128-B Gas Fireplace by Heat & Glo Flooring & Tile by Macadam Floor & Design Hardwood by Kentwood Floors Hardwood Product Originals Series - Plateau in Brushed Hard Maple Kitchen Backsplash by Tierra Sol Tile Product - Tencer Tiempo in Glossy Shadow Kitchen Backsplash Accent by Walker Zanger Tile Product - Duquesa Tile in Jasmine Sinks by Decolav Slab Countertops by Wall to Wall Stone Corp Kitchen Quartz Product True North Calcutta Master Suite Quartz Product True North Venato Extra Girls' Bath Quartz Product True North Pebble Beach All Other Quartz Product True North Light Silt Windows by Milgard Windows & Doors Window Product Style Line® Series Window Supplier Troyco - Window & Door Window Treatments by Budget Blinds Lighting by Destination Lighting Fixtures by Crystorama Lighting Interior Design by Tiffany Home Design Custom Cabinetry & Storage by Northwood Cabinets Customized & Built by Cascade West Development Photography by ExposioHDR Portland Original Plans by Alan Mascord Design Associates

Canoe Trail Residence

Rhodes Architecture + Light

"The Scholars" Tomb guardians, Joseon dynasty, Korea. Dining room with recessed lighting and under cabinet lighting. Indoor-outdoor living space with adjoining patio area off the dining room.

Newbiggen St

An Artful Life

Photo of a large scandinavian open plan dining in Essex with white walls, laminate floors, a wood stove, a brick fireplace surround and grey floor.

New Jersey Bachelor Pad

Fun House Furnishings & Design

Modern open plan dining in New York with a brick fireplace surround.

South Burlington Residence, VT

Lindsay Jay DESIGNS, LLC

Lindsay Parnagian
Photo of a large traditional kitchen/dining combo in Burlington with beige walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and a brick fireplace surround.

Chatham Road, Denistone

Homes On Trend - Property Styling

This is an example of a small transitional dining room in Sydney with medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace surround, white walls and brown floor.

Historic Farmhouse Reconstruction

Kraft Custom Construction

This 1914 family farmhouse was passed down from the original owners to their grandson and his young family. The original goal was to restore the old home to its former glory. However, when we started planning the remodel, we discovered the foundation needed to be replaced, the roof framing didn’t meet code, all the electrical, plumbing and mechanical would have to be removed, siding replaced, and much more. We quickly realized that instead of restoring the home, it would be more cost effective to deconstruct the home, recycle the materials, and build a replica of the old house using as much of the salvaged materials as we could. The design of the new construction is greatly influenced by the old home with traditional craftsman design interiors. We worked with a deconstruction specialist to salvage the old-growth timber and reused or re-purposed many of the original materials. We moved the house back on the property, connecting it to the existing garage, and lowered the elevation of the home which made it more accessible to the existing grades. The new home includes 5-panel doors, columned archways, tall baseboards, reused wood for architectural highlights in the kitchen, a food-preservation room, exercise room, playful wallpaper in the guest bath and fun era-specific fixtures throughout.

Sherman Oaks New Construction

Landmark Construction Crew

Dining room of the modern home construction in Sherman Oaks which included the installation of ceiling, windows, dark hardwood floors, wall paint, recessed lighting, pendant lighting and dining room furniture.

Wyuna Avenue, Freshwater

Sydney Beach Homes

Webntime Photography Let Me List Your Air BNB
Mid-sized scandinavian kitchen/dining combo in Sydney with white walls, limestone floors and a brick fireplace surround.

17th Century Thatched Cottage

User

This traditional dining room has an oak floor with dining furniture from Bylaw Furniture. The chairs are covered in Sanderson Clovelly fabric, and the curtains are in James Hare Orissa Silk Gilver, teamed with Bradley Collection curtain poles. The inglenook fireplace houses a wood burner, and the original cheese cabinet creates a traditional feel to this room. The original oak beams in the ceiling ensures this space is intimate for formal dining. Photos by Steve Russell Studios

Mid-Century Coastal

Centric Spaces

The existing and dated curved archway through to the dining area was squared off and lined with a solid timber reveal and shadowline detail. An existing step down into the living area which was also a trip hazard, was levelled off to further emphasize the open layout and connection between the main living spaces.

Coastal modern farmhouse dining room built in detail

Amy Fox Interiors

This is an example of a large beach style kitchen/dining combo in Miami with white walls, porcelain floors, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace surround and beige floor.

Alpha House Dining

BuildHer Collective

Dylan Lark - Photographer
Mid-sized contemporary open plan dining in Melbourne with white walls, concrete floors, a standard fireplace and a brick fireplace surround.

GATHERING ROOM, DINING ROOM, HOME OFFICE, Farmhouse, Fairport, NY

CHERYL BARKER Interiors

This former family room was transformed to be a gathering room with so much more function. Now it serves as a Dining room, TV room, Family room, Home Office and meeting space. Beige walls and white crown molding surround white bookshelves and cabinets giving storage. Brick fireplace and wood mantel has been painted white. Furniture includes: wood farmhouse dining table and black windsor style chairs.

All Fireplace Surrounds Dining Room Design Ideas with a Brick Fireplace Surround

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!