The black walnut dining room millwork incorporates a bar.
This is an example of a mid-sized contemporary dining room in Toronto with white walls, light hardwood floors, a two-sided fireplace and a concrete fireplace surround.

hidden glen

Christie Hausmann Design

Photo of a large transitional open plan dining in San Francisco with white walls, light hardwood floors, a two-sided fireplace, a concrete fireplace surround and brown floor.

Traditional Home Remodel

Soundesign Group Architects, PLLC

Mid-sized transitional open plan dining in Seattle with grey walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a concrete fireplace surround and brown floor.

Slate House Northcote

Melbourne Design Studios (MDS)

Photo of a contemporary dining room in Melbourne with concrete floors, a corner fireplace, a concrete fireplace surround and black floor.

Do you have the recipe for that

renovateme! design and construction

Mid-sized contemporary kitchen/dining combo in Vancouver with grey walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a concrete fireplace surround and brown floor.

Dining Chairs, Southwest Paradise

Videre Decor

Multiple fabrics detail the antique chairs with rustic nailheads.
Inspiration for a mid-sized kitchen/dining combo in Salt Lake City with beige walls, concrete floors, a wood stove, a concrete fireplace surround and red floor.

Dining Spaces

Jalice Interiors

Mid-sized scandinavian separate dining room in Toronto with white walls, porcelain floors, a two-sided fireplace, a concrete fireplace surround and white floor.

Modern Farmhouse on Vale Court

E2 Homes Ltd

Country dining room in Vancouver with light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and a concrete fireplace surround.

Contemporary Dining Room

Design ideas for a contemporary open plan dining in Seattle with concrete floors, a two-sided fireplace, a concrete fireplace surround and grey floor.

kontrast

Fabi Architekten BDA part gmbb

Herbert Stolz, Regensburg
Mid-sized contemporary kitchen/dining combo in Munich with concrete floors, a two-sided fireplace, white walls, a concrete fireplace surround and grey floor.

Fieldgate

Frahm Interiors - Burlington ON

This is an example of a large contemporary dining room in Toronto with light hardwood floors and a concrete fireplace surround.

South East Portland Interior

Mr. Painter PDX LLC

Full interior repaint on South East Portland home.
Inspiration for a large mediterranean dining room in Portland with white walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and a concrete fireplace surround.

Alexandra Headland

Box Clever Interiors

Inspiration for a mid-sized scandinavian kitchen/dining combo in Other with white walls, white floor, ceramic floors, a standard fireplace and a concrete fireplace surround.

82 S. Knoll Rd | Mill Valley CA | Staging

MOONES Home, INC.

Photo of an expansive contemporary open plan dining in San Francisco with grey walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and a concrete fireplace surround.

Progetto e realizzazione di una libreria sospesa.

Giuliano Mancini

Progetto e realizzazione di una libreria sospesa. con Mobili Romagnoli srl
Inspiration for a small modern open plan dining in Other with grey walls, porcelain floors, a ribbon fireplace, a concrete fireplace surround and grey floor.

Private House, Jersey

Layzell Architects

William Layzell
This is an example of a mid-sized contemporary kitchen/dining combo in Channel Islands with white walls, ceramic floors, a wood stove, a concrete fireplace surround and grey floor.

Hilltop

Rezac Construction

Alan Jackson- Jackson Studios
Inspiration for a mid-sized modern separate dining room in Other with white walls, dark hardwood floors, brown floor, a two-sided fireplace and a concrete fireplace surround.

The Wolf House

Wolf Architects

Wolf House is a contemporary home designed for flexible, easy living for a young family of 5. The spaces have multi use and the large home has a connection through its void space allowing all family members to be in touch with each other. The home boasts excellent energy efficiency and a clear view of the sky from every single room in the house.

Cuervo Paluxy Ranch

Jan Jones LLC

Inspiration for a large country open plan dining in Dallas with white walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a concrete fireplace surround and brown floor.

Buchter Retreat

David Coleman / Architecture

Buchter Retreat. Cabin on Orcas Island in Washington.
Design ideas for a country dining room in Seattle with a concrete fireplace surround and concrete floors.

Dining Room Design Ideas with a Concrete 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!