A contemporary holiday home located on Victoria's Mornington Peninsula featuring rammed earth walls, timber lined ceilings and flagstone floors. This home incorporates strong, natural elements and the joinery throughout features custom, stained oak timber cabinetry and natural limestone benchtops. With a nod to the mid century modern era and a balance of natural, warm elements this home displays a uniquely Australian design style. This home is a cocoon like sanctuary for rejuvenation and relaxation with all the modern conveniences one could wish for thoughtfully integrated.

1940's Ranch

Ambiance

This dining space from a 1940's era home was updated to new milinneum standards for a client who enjoys entertaining. Ceiling beams were removed and updated lighting, including a unique chandalier and contemporary low-profile ceiling fan, was added. Original hardwood floors were patched and refinished. A solid door going to the back patio was replaced with a french door giving it continuity with surrounding large mirrors and adding to the open feeling. "Heaven" original painting anchors the space open to the living room. Clay Bostian; Creative Photography

Casa Garcia

Beck Custom Homes, LLC

Inspiration for a large mediterranean open plan dining in Orlando with orange walls, terra-cotta floors, a standard fireplace and a tile fireplace surround.

Victorian Country House

Laura Passey Interiors Ltd

Elegant Dining Room
This is an example of a mid-sized traditional separate dining room in Surrey with yellow walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, brown floor and wallpaper.

Handprinted Chinoiserie wallpaper in interior design

NSR HANDCRAFTS

Photo of a traditional separate dining room in Other with multi-coloured walls and a standard fireplace.

Contemporary Home Remodel

Soundesign Group Architects, PLLC

Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary open plan dining in Seattle with white walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and beige floor.

Afton Timber Frame Retreat

Smith & Robertson, Inc.

Sitting atop a mountain, this Timberpeg timber frame vacation retreat offers rustic elegance with shingle-sided splendor, warm rich colors and textures, and natural quality materials.

Historic mansion block apartment

Turner Pocock

This is an example of a mid-sized traditional open plan dining in London with green walls, a standard fireplace and a tile fireplace surround.

Woman Lake 2 Lodge

Lands End Development - Designers & Builders

Lodge Dining Room/Great room with vaulted log beams, wood ceiling, and wood floors. Antler chandelier over dining table. Built-in cabinets and home bar area.

Rustically Refined

Fine Design Interiors, Inc.

This is an example of a large country open plan dining in Seattle with a standard fireplace and a stone fireplace surround.

Terravita Residence

Cathy Kominsky Interiors

Custom Artwork found together with the Designer graces the Wall of the Dining Room
Small contemporary kitchen/dining combo in Phoenix with yellow walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and a tile fireplace surround.

Renovation d'un Appartement à Paris 7ème

SARL ESPACE AMENAGEMENT DECORATION

Salle à manger avec table mise
Large traditional separate dining room in Paris with blue walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, brown floor and exposed beam.

Mt. Vernon Highway Project

Morse Design

Family room makeover in Sandy Springs, Ga. Mixed new and old pieces together.
Large traditional open plan dining in Atlanta with grey walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, brown floor and wallpaper.

Urban Oasis

Interior Inspirations

Mid-sized traditional separate dining room in Calgary with a standard fireplace, a plaster fireplace surround, purple walls, medium hardwood floors and brown floor.

Dining Rooms

Viscusi Elson Interior Design - Gina Viscusi Elson

Inspiration for a mid-sized traditional separate dining room in San Francisco with dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace surround and green walls.

Sycamore House

Marlene Dennis Design

Photo of a large traditional separate dining room in DC Metro with dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and a wood fireplace surround.

Mid-Century Avenues Resoration

Living Home Construction

Design ideas for a mid-sized midcentury separate dining room in Salt Lake City with beige walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and brown floor.

Georgian Townhouse

Woolf Interior Architecture & Design

Design ideas for a transitional dining room in Other with blue walls, medium hardwood floors and a standard fireplace.

Secluded Retreat

User

Design ideas for a traditional open plan dining in New York with beige walls, a standard fireplace and a tile fireplace surround.

Same room - different look

Lucid Interior Design Inc.

Photo by: Geoff Lackner
Photo of a traditional dining room in Toronto with grey walls, dark hardwood floors and a standard fireplace.

Dining Room Design Ideas with a Standard Fireplace

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!