Design ideas for a country separate dining room in New York with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and orange floor.

Linkleas

DB Interiors + Design

Mid-sized midcentury kitchen/dining combo in Other with medium hardwood floors, orange floor, white walls, a standard fireplace and a stone fireplace surround.

Woodland Hills

Hsu McCullough

A modern cottage with Scandinavian influence : Dining Room with kitchen and breakfast nook / wine bar beyond. Douglas fir flooring. Photo by Clark Dugger

True Hardwood Flooring - Amber Pine

Hallmark Floors

True Hardwood Flooring THE TRUE DIFFERENCE The new True hardwood flooring collection is truly amazing with stunning colors and features. Hallmark Floors is the first to master this revolutionary technology of replicating “the bog-wood process” that occurs when logs lie buried in lakes, river, and waterways for hundreds of years, deprived of oxygen and sunlight. This process in nature can take centuries for the wood to turn from its natural color to deep golden brown or even completely black. Hallmark has emulated nature’s methods to create saturated colors throughout the top layer, creating stunning, weathered patinas. True bog-wood, driftwood, and weathered barn wood are all very rare. These cherished wood treasures are in high demand worldwide for use in furniture and flooring. Now Hallmark has made these prized finishes available to everyone through our True hardwood flooring collection.

Résidence Kaplin

Lorraine Masse Design

Cette salle à dîner ouverte sur la cuisine et le salon au style traditionnel s'est entourée de matériaux luxueux et nobles avec cette table en orme, des chaises en cuir et ce luminaire de métal au design original. Un mur de bois de grange et un canoë récupéré que les clients avait en main offre un complément au décor des plus original.

Roux at Parliament Square

Rosendale Design

Design ideas for a large traditional open plan dining in London with green walls, carpet, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, orange floor, coffered and panelled walls.

Arredamento sala pranzo - living

Studio Norfini+Principato

Inspiration for a large modern open plan dining in Other with beige walls, porcelain floors, a corner fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and orange floor.

Gorman

Novak Design Co.

Photo of a modern open plan dining in Toronto with grey walls, light hardwood floors, a two-sided fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and orange floor.

Résidence Kaplin

Lorraine Masse Design

Roux at Parliament Square

Rosendale Design

Inspiration for a large traditional open plan dining in London with green walls, carpet, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, orange floor, coffered and panelled walls.

2023 Covenant Lottery Showhome

Marie Hebson's interiorsBYDESIGN Inc.

Green Onyx feature wall in dining room separating Chef's Pantry behind.
Photo of a large midcentury kitchen/dining combo in Edmonton with green walls, medium hardwood floors, a two-sided fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, orange floor and vaulted.

Woodland Hills

Hsu McCullough

A modern cottage: Dining Room with kitchen beyond. Douglas fir flooring and wood countertop at bar. Photo by Clark Dugger
Inspiration for a mid-sized country open plan dining in Los Angeles with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and orange floor.

Résidence Kaplin

Lorraine Masse Design

Roux at Parliament Square

Rosendale Design

Design ideas for a large traditional open plan dining in London with green walls, carpet, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, orange floor, coffered and panelled walls.

Résidence Kaplin

Lorraine Masse Design

Roux at Parliament Square

Rosendale Design

This is an example of a large traditional open plan dining in London with green walls, carpet, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, orange floor, coffered and panelled walls.

Roux at Parliament Square

Rosendale Design

Inspiration for a large traditional open plan dining in London with green walls, carpet, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, orange floor, coffered and panelled walls.

Gorman

Novak Design Co.

This is an example of a modern open plan dining in Toronto with grey walls, light hardwood floors, a two-sided fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and orange floor.

Résidence Kaplin

Lorraine Masse Design

Roux at Parliament Square

Rosendale Design

Design ideas for a large traditional open plan dining in London with green walls, carpet, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, orange floor, coffered and panelled walls.

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