This terracotta feature wall is one of our favourite areas in the home. To create interest in this special area between the kitchen and open living area, we installed wood pieces on the wall and painted them this gorgeous terracotta colour. The furniture is an eclectic mix of retro and nostalgic pieces which are playful, yet sophisticated for the young family who likes to entertain.

Fedamore House

Collette Ward Interiors

Photo of a large traditional separate dining room in Other with red walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and a stone fireplace surround.

Chesney's Favorite Spaces

Chesney's

Design ideas for a mid-sized traditional separate dining room in New York with red walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and brown floor.

Kitchens, Cabinets and Vanities

Daniel J. Olson Construction, Inc.

Design ideas for a mid-sized traditional separate dining room in Seattle with red walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and a stone fireplace surround.

Hillsborough Mediterranean Classic

Diedre Shaw Interiors

David Duncan LIvingston
Inspiration for a large traditional separate dining room in San Francisco with red walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and a stone fireplace surround.

Chevy Chase House

Cliff Elmore Architects PLLC

Catherine Tighe
This is an example of a mid-sized traditional separate dining room in DC Metro with red walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and brown floor.

Equestrian Solidarity

Fitch Design Company

Patrick Barta Photography
This is an example of a large traditional separate dining room in Seattle with red walls, medium hardwood floors, a two-sided fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and brown floor.

Country Living

Stone Creek Building

Whitney Lyons Photography
Design ideas for a large country separate dining room in Portland with red walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and a stone fireplace surround.

Shingle Style Retreat

Christopher Hall Architect, Inc.

This is an example of a traditional separate dining room in Boston with red walls, a standard fireplace and a stone fireplace surround.

Cucina - Casolare in campagna

Roberto Galvani STUDIO

Recupero di un tavolo da falegname come penisola cucina.
Design ideas for a small country kitchen/dining combo in Other with red walls, porcelain floors, a ribbon fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and white floor.

SALON/SALLE A MANGER

Lucie DAVAZE

Mid-sized modern separate dining room in Other with red walls, terra-cotta floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and red floor.

Carroll St. Residence

Palette Architecture

Inspiration for a mid-sized industrial separate dining room in New York with red walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and beige floor.

Dining Room

Briano Ruiz Consulting

Mid-sized arts and crafts separate dining room in Austin with red walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and a stone fireplace surround.

Interior Painting - Greenwich, CT

Baywall Painting

This is an example of a large transitional separate dining room in New York with red walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and brown floor.

Soapstone Fireplace

Wintercreek Construction, Inc.

Tulikivi Soapstone Fireplace Architect: Rob Thallon
Inspiration for a mid-sized eclectic kitchen/dining combo in Portland with red walls, light hardwood floors, a wood stove and a stone fireplace surround.

Solstice Party Decorations for Oakland Bungalow

inSite Contemplative Design

Detail of mason jar decoration for Solstice Party decorations. photo by Ellyce Moselle Photography
This is an example of a mid-sized arts and crafts separate dining room in San Francisco with red walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and a stone fireplace surround.

Modern Northwest Lake House

Sturman Architects

Contemporary dining room in Seattle with red walls, a two-sided fireplace and a stone fireplace surround.

Private Residence

Granoff Architects

Traditional dining room in New York with a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, brown floor, red walls and dark hardwood floors.

Castlewood Canyon Timberframe

Dream Homes Inc./Daydream Incorporated

Timberframe homes are Unique. There are challenges with lighting, and air supply, among others. But the warm richness of all the wood cannot be denied! Working from the drawing stage with the architect insured success here.

PLI72

Carlo&Holm

Tre camere doppie e ampio soggiorno in 100mq
Design ideas for a small eclectic open plan dining in Milan with red walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and brown floor.

Dining Room Design Ideas with Red Walls 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!