Large traditional separate dining room in DC Metro with beige walls, a stone fireplace surround, a standard fireplace and travertine floors.

Kips Bay 2016

Rikki Snyder

Photo: Rikki Snyder © 2016 Houzz
Inspiration for a traditional dining room in New York with beige walls, a standard fireplace and a stone fireplace surround.

Custom Home in Riley

Freestyle Interiors

This is an example of a large contemporary dining room in Miami with white walls, a ribbon fireplace and a stone fireplace surround.

Minimalistic Sophistication in Pinecrest, FL

CURATED.

Photo of a large midcentury open plan dining in Miami with grey walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and brown floor.

Warrell 2

Funda-Mantels

Inspiration for a mid-sized mediterranean dining room in New York with beige walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and brown floor.

Rockpoint Ridge Home

Dove Mountain Homes

Large open great room and dining area with a mix of custom and Restoration Hardware furnishings.
This is an example of an expansive dining room in Phoenix with beige walls, travertine floors, a standard fireplace and a stone fireplace surround.

Bridle Trails Remodel

SHED Architecture & Design

Mark Woods
Mid-sized midcentury open plan dining in Seattle with brown walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and a stone fireplace surround.

Pride Rock

SGDI - Sarah Gallop Design Inc.

The objective was to create a warm neutral space to later customize to a specific colour palate/preference of the end user for this new construction home being built to sell. A high-end contemporary feel was requested to attract buyers in the area. An impressive kitchen that exuded high class and made an impact on guests as they entered the home, without being overbearing. The space offers an appealing open floorplan conducive to entertaining with indoor-outdoor flow. Due to the spec nature of this house, the home had to remain appealing to the builder, while keeping a broad audience of potential buyers in mind. The challenge lay in creating a unique look, with visually interesting materials and finishes, while not being so unique that potential owners couldn’t envision making it their own. The focus on key elements elevates the look, while other features blend and offer support to these striking components. As the home was built for sale, profitability was important; materials were sourced at best value, while retaining high-end appeal. Adaptations to the home’s original design plan improve flow and usability within the kitchen-greatroom. The client desired a rich dark finish. The chosen colours tie the kitchen to the rest of the home (creating unity as combination, colours and materials, is repeated throughout). Photos- Paul Grdina

The Colony

Elevation Design Group

Photo of a large arts and crafts open plan dining in Salt Lake City with white walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and a stone fireplace surround.

Dining Room

Cynthia J. Hoffman Interior Design, Inc.

Italian pendant lighting stands out against the custom graduated slate fireplace, custom old-growth redwood slab dining table with casters, contemporary high back host chairs with stainless steel nailhead trim, custom wool area rug, custom hand-planed walnut buffet with sliding doors and drawers, hand-planed Port Orford cedar beams, earth plaster walls and ceiling. Joel Berman glass sliding doors with stainless steel barn door hardware Photo:: Michael R. Timmer

Duplex Apartment Combination

JENDRETZKI LLC

This West Village is the combination of 2 apartments into a larger one, which takes advantage of the stunning double height spaces, extremely unusual in NYC. While keeping the pre-war flair the residence maintains a minimal and contemporary design.

Beach Style Dining Room

Design ideas for a large beach style kitchen/dining combo in Other with white walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and a stone fireplace surround.

Traditional New Construction

Morgante Wilson Architects

Werner Straube Photography
Inspiration for a traditional dining room in Chicago with grey walls, dark hardwood floors, a stone fireplace surround and a standard fireplace.

Northern California Mountain Home

Design Theory Interiors, LLC

Mitchell Shenker
Large country open plan dining in Atlanta with white walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and brown floor.

Lake Side Luxury

Parkyn Design

A stone arch separates the kitchen and breakfast area of this traditional kitchen.
This is an example of a large traditional kitchen/dining combo in Toronto with beige walls, medium hardwood floors, a stone fireplace surround and a wood stove.

Dining Room

Siobhan Loates Interiors

Formal dining room
Large contemporary dining room in London with grey walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and a stone fireplace surround.

Craftsman Model Home Talon's Reach

Matt Lancia Signature Homes

Inspiration for a mid-sized arts and crafts open plan dining in Other with grey walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and a stone fireplace surround.

Tuxedo Park Custom Home Buckhead Atlanta

Stokesman Homes

Design ideas for a country dining room in Atlanta with dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and a stone fireplace surround.

Lancaster Modern Rooms

Stimmel Consulting Group

Photo of a mid-sized modern kitchen/dining combo in Philadelphia with beige walls, light hardwood floors, a two-sided fireplace and a stone fireplace surround.

PEAPACK GLADSTONE

Passacantando Architects AIA

Photographer: Kevin Colquhoun
Photo of a small contemporary kitchen/dining combo in New York with grey walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and a stone fireplace surround.

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!