Photo of a country dining room in Other with beige walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and a stone fireplace surround.

Greenwich Waterfront Shingle

VanderHorn Architects

This Dining Room continues the coastal aesthetic of the home with paneled walls and a projecting rectangular bay with access to the outdoor entertainment spaces beyond.

Fire Island Home

GDG Designworks

GDG Designworks completely furnished this new Fire Island beach house. We also advised on all kitchen and bathroom fixtures and finishes throughout the house.

Myrtle House

Regarding Design

Built in the iconic neighborhood of Mount Curve, just blocks from the lakes, Walker Art Museum, and restaurants, this is city living at its best. Myrtle House is a design-build collaboration with Hage Homes and Regarding Design with expertise in Southern-inspired architecture and gracious interiors. With a charming Tudor exterior and modern interior layout, this house is perfect for all ages. Rooted in the architecture of the past with a clean and contemporary influence, Myrtle House bridges the gap between stunning historic detailing and modern living. A sense of charm and character is created through understated and honest details, with scale and proportion being paramount to the overall effect. Classical elements are featured throughout the home, including wood paneling, crown molding, cabinet built-ins, and cozy window seating, creating an ambiance steeped in tradition. While the kitchen and family room blend together in an open space for entertaining and family time, there are also enclosed spaces designed with intentional use in mind.

House on Taylor's Branch

Ashby Collective

This is an example of an expansive midcentury kitchen/dining combo in Austin with white walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, brown floor, vaulted and brick walls.

Modern Masterpiece

Branagh Development

Large separate dining room in San Francisco with white walls, a ribbon fireplace and a stone fireplace surround.

League of Their Own

Widell + Boschetti

Brian Wetzel
Transitional dining room in Philadelphia with blue walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and brown floor.

Eye-catching Timber Cabin: Meadow Creek, Colorado

M.T.N Design

Metal fixtures add a modern touch to this sun-drenched dining area. Produced By: PrecisionCraft Log & Timber Homes Photos By: Longviews Studios, Inc.

Concord Kitchen

Woodcliff Builders, Inc.

Design ideas for a mid-sized transitional open plan dining in San Francisco with grey walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and brown floor.

Contemporary Fireplace Design in Andersonville

Habitar Design

Designer, Kapan Shipman, created two contemporary fireplaces and unique built-in displays in this historic Andersonville home. The living room cleverly uses the unique angled space to house a sleek stone and wood fireplace with built in shelving and wall-mounted tv. We also custom built a vertical built-in closet at the back entryway as a mini mudroom for extra storage at the door. In the open-concept dining room, a gorgeous white stone gas fireplace is the focal point with a built-in credenza buffet for the dining area. At the front entryway, Kapan designed one of our most unique built ins with floor-to-ceiling wood beams anchoring white pedestal boxes for display. Another beauty is the industrial chic stairwell combining steel wire and a dark reclaimed wood bannister.

Four Pines Cabin #14

Jacque Jenkins-Stireman: A Design Studio

Design ideas for a country open plan dining in Other with dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and a stone fireplace surround.

Waterfront Estate

Mason Construction Company

Design ideas for a large beach style open plan dining in Baltimore with grey walls, medium hardwood floors, brown floor, a standard fireplace and a stone fireplace surround.

Mountain Home: Dining Room

Michelle Yorke Interior Design LLC

A contemporary farmhouse dining room with some surprising accents fabrics! A mixture of wood adds contrast and keeps the open space from looking monotonous. Black accented chandeliers and luscious green velvets add the finishing touch, making this dining area pop! Designed by Michelle Yorke Interiors who also serves Seattle as well as Seattle's Eastside suburbs from Mercer Island all the way through Issaquah. For more about Michelle Yorke, click here: https://michelleyorkedesign.com/

Meadowdale

JPStyles

Large country separate dining room in Baltimore with beige walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and beige floor.

Appartamento RJ

Davide Galli - Fotografo

Davide Galli
Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary kitchen/dining combo in Milan with white walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and a stone fireplace surround.

Singleton Bend_Dining Room

Square Construction

This is an example of a mid-sized modern open plan dining in Austin with beige walls, ceramic floors, a standard fireplace and a stone fireplace surround.

Fireplaces using Buechel Stone

Buechel Stone Corp

This home features an outdoor fireplace using Buechel Stone's Mill Creek Colonial Blend. Click on the tag to see more at www.buechelstone.com/shoppingcart/products/Mill-Creek-Col....

Ahwatukee Arizona full house remodel

D'amore IDS

Mid-sized transitional kitchen/dining combo in Phoenix with beige walls, medium hardwood floors, a stone fireplace surround, brown floor and a two-sided fireplace.

Rustic Dining Room

Country dining room in Other with dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and a stone fireplace surround.

AFTER

KJB FIREPLACES

This is an example of a mid-sized traditional open plan dining in New York with beige walls, light hardwood floors, a two-sided fireplace and a stone fireplace surround.

All Fireplace Surrounds Dining Room Design Ideas with 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!