Inspiration for a large contemporary separate dining room in Strasbourg with beige walls, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and painted wood floors.

Horse Farm Remodel and Addition

Anderson Architecture, PLLC

Well proportioned room highlights unique antiques. Glen Dickerson photographer
Large country open plan dining in Raleigh with yellow walls, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and medium hardwood floors.

Litchfield Countryside Retreat

Chango

Interior Design, Interior Architecture, Custom Furniture Design, AV Design, Landscape Architecture, & Art Curation by Chango & Co. Photography by Ball & Albanese

Trinity Green

Chris Dyson Architects

Alex James
Small traditional dining room in London with medium hardwood floors, a wood stove, a stone fireplace surround and grey walls.

Casual Dining

Michelle's Interiors

Open-back chairs in a neutral fabric lighten the mood in the sunny breakfast area. -- Photo by Jeff Mateer
Inspiration for a traditional kitchen/dining combo in Chicago with beige walls, a standard fireplace and a stone fireplace surround.

Martis Camp Contemporary

Ward-Young Architecture & Planning - Truckee, CA

Photo of a country open plan dining in Sacramento with a concrete fireplace surround and a two-sided fireplace.

High Barnet – redesign of a ground floor

JLV Design Ltd

The room was used as a home office, by opening the kitchen onto it, we've created a warm and inviting space, where the family loves gathering.
This is an example of a large contemporary separate dining room in London with blue walls, light hardwood floors, a hanging fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, beige floor and coffered.

Dining room opens to outdoor living area

Michelle Anaya Architects

Design ideas for a large modern open plan dining in Los Angeles with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a ribbon fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and brown floor.

Historic District

Lisa Tharp Design

Michael J. Lee Photography for DESIGN NEW ENGLAND magazine
Design ideas for a large traditional separate dining room in Boston with a standard fireplace and a stone fireplace surround.

Huizache House

PAUL CREMOUX studio

A visual artist and his fiancée’s house and studio were designed with various themes in mind, such as the physical context, client needs, security, and a limited budget. Six options were analyzed during the schematic design stage to control the wind from the northeast, sunlight, light quality, cost, energy, and specific operating expenses. By using design performance tools and technologies such as Fluid Dynamics, Energy Consumption Analysis, Material Life Cycle Assessment, and Climate Analysis, sustainable strategies were identified. The building is self-sufficient and will provide the site with an aquifer recharge that does not currently exist. The main masses are distributed around a courtyard, creating a moderately open construction towards the interior and closed to the outside. The courtyard contains a Huizache tree, surrounded by a water mirror that refreshes and forms a central part of the courtyard. The house comprises three main volumes, each oriented at different angles to highlight different views for each area. The patio is the primary circulation stratagem, providing a refuge from the wind, a connection to the sky, and a night sky observatory. We aim to establish a deep relationship with the site by including the open space of the patio.

Réhabilitation complète d'une maison de maitre près d'Apt

Inspirations d'Intérieurs • Agence & Boutique •

Photo of a large mediterranean open plan dining in Marseille with white walls, travertine floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, beige floor and exposed beam.

Cotswolds House

STEPHEN FLETCHER ARCHITECTS

Inside the contemporary extension in front of the house. A semi-industrial/rustic feel is achieved with exposed steel beams, timber ceiling cladding, terracotta tiling and wrap-around Crittall windows. This wonderully inviting space makes the most of the spectacular panoramic views.

Maison Monfort

Caroline Lepoutère

Salon lumineux avec un parquet au sol créant du contraste. Cela donne du caractère à la pièce.
Inspiration for a large transitional separate dining room in Rennes with beige walls, medium hardwood floors, beige floor, a standard fireplace and a stone fireplace surround.

VISTA LAS PALMAS

User

Photo of a mid-sized midcentury open plan dining in Other with white walls, slate floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and brown floor.

Seaside Retreat

Parker Design Group Architects

Krisztian Lonyai Photographer
Inspiration for a mid-sized beach style open plan dining in Other with white walls, a standard fireplace and a stone fireplace surround.

Dining Room

O’Hara Interiors

Martha O'Hara Interiors, Interior Design & Photo Styling | Troy Thies, Photography | Artwork, Joeseph Theroux | Please Note: All “related,” “similar,” and “sponsored” products tagged or listed by Houzz are not actual products pictured. They have not been approved by Martha O’Hara Interiors nor any of the professionals credited. For information about our work, please contact design@oharainteriors.com.

sunset park | brooklyn

Crystal Sinclair

This is an example of a scandinavian dining room in New York with white walls, a standard fireplace and a stone fireplace surround.

Residential Work

Hager Group

Design ideas for a large contemporary open plan dining in Calgary with white walls, porcelain floors, a ribbon fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and grey floor.

Highland Park Mid Century Remodel

Jennifer Garner Interiors

Photography: Michael Hunter
Design ideas for a large midcentury separate dining room in Austin with a standard fireplace, grey walls, medium hardwood floors and a concrete fireplace surround.

Ross Peak View

Schlauch Bottcher Construction (SBC)

Roger Wade Photography
Inspiration for a country kitchen/dining combo in Other with medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and a stone fireplace surround.

Dining Room Design Ideas with a Concrete Fireplace Surround and a Stone 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!