Formal Dining Room used in a Contemporary manner

This small, but casual space was once the living room, but the flow did not make sense. Prior to the remodel, the old dining room was tucked away in a corner of the house. Guest never felt comfortable in this space. After rethinking the design and removing un necessary wall, an open concept was created between the kitchen and the dining room, only problem was that an open concept usually means contemporary, modern style. My clients love to entertain formal affairs, so it was up to me to create a formal dining room in a contemporary environment. The process was easy, by adding a header to the opening this allowed me to shape the room in a formal rectangular manner and installing contemporary crown moldings, using a symmetrical formal formula, I added wood tiles to ceiling and an over sized lighting fixture, (believe it or not I found this light fixture where they specialize in pool tables) Because of the space constraint I could not find that perfect dining room table, so back to the drawing board to design one custom made, I wanted the feel of old world charm but the lightness of clean contemporary lines. I found a product that inspired me – Bamboo plywood from Smith and Fongs Plyboo, The natural and warmth of this Leed product was the perfect attraction to this room and by creating a 3 inch thickness to the surface I was able to take a rustic material and transform it into a contemporary art piece, I even asked my mill-worker to use the balance and make a lazy-susan for the center piece of the table, this make entertaining a breeze, - no more “ can you pass the salt please” Built-ins on either side of the gas fireplace blending in with the light colors of the walls where added for extra storage and objet d’art pieces, that the home owners collected through their travels. Simple, comfortable low back leather chairs where placed. This room represents dining at its finest without feeling stuffy, yet by adding Chrystal glass wear, porcelain place setting and silk linens this room can easily entertain guests wearing evening gowns and tuxedos. Photo by: Drew Hadley

Long Dune Residence, Truro

Hammer Architects

Peter Vanderwarker
Inspiration for a mid-sized midcentury open plan dining in Boston with white walls, light hardwood floors, a two-sided fireplace, a concrete fireplace surround and brown floor.

Montclair Luxury Basement

JSE Interiors

Inspiration for a large mediterranean dining room in New York with grey walls, a ribbon fireplace, a tile fireplace surround and grey floor.

Denver Kitchen Design

Laura Medicus Interiors

Here's another view of the new open plan. This was a 50's house and the kitchen was completely enclosed with no windows. Opening it up and injecting some fun color into the space via the custom cabinets was a treat.

Lapitec

Architectural Surfaces

Fireplace surround & Countertop is Lapitec: A sintered stone product designed and developed in Italy and the perfect example of style and quality appeal, Lapitec® is an innovative material which combines and blends design appeal with the superior mechanical and physical properties, far better than any porcelain product available on the market. Lapitec® combines the strength of ceramic with the properties, elegance, natural colors and the typical finishes of natural stone enhancing or blending naturally into any surroundings. Available in 12mm or 20mm thick 59″ x 132.5″ slabs.

Urbane Projects 001

D-Max Photography

Urbane Design Photography: Joel Barbitta D-Max Photography
Photo of a large contemporary dining room in Perth with a standard fireplace and a tile fireplace surround.

Greenbush Residence

Hsu McCullough

Dining Room with outdoor patio through right doors and Living Room beyond fireplace on left
This is an example of a mid-sized scandinavian separate dining room in Los Angeles with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a two-sided fireplace, a tile fireplace surround, beige floor and decorative wall panelling.

NE Portland Interior 2

Mr. Painter PDX LLC

Freshly painted living and dining rooms using Sherwin Williams Paint. Color "Ice Cube" SW 6252.
Photo of a small midcentury separate dining room in Portland with blue walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a tile fireplace surround and brown floor.

Dynamic Modern

Wilmington-Gordon

Photo of a mid-sized midcentury separate dining room in Austin with a two-sided fireplace and a tile fireplace surround.

Ocean Bank

Made To Last Custom Homes Ltd.

Ocean Bank is a contemporary style oceanfront home located in Chemainus, BC. We broke ground on this home in March 2021. Situated on a sloped lot, Ocean Bank includes 3,086 sq.ft. of finished space over two floors. The main floor features 11′ ceilings throughout. However, the ceiling vaults to 16′ in the Great Room. Large doors and windows take in the amazing ocean view. The Kitchen in this custom home is truly a beautiful work of art. The 10′ island is topped with beautiful marble from Vancouver Island. A panel fridge and matching freezer, a large butler’s pantry, and Wolf range are other desirable features of this Kitchen. Also on the main floor, the double-sided gas fireplace that separates the Living and Dining Rooms is lined with gorgeous tile slabs. The glass and steel stairwell railings were custom made on site.

'Highview'

DESSE Interior Design

The fireplace next to the Dining area needed 'presence' as it was situated opposite the (new) stand-out kitchen. In order to accomplish this, we inverted the colours of the Calacatta marble kitchen bench and utilised a tile with a white fleck in it. This helped to balance the room, while giving the fireplace presence.

Project Clark Ave Restoration

Chelsea Design Company

Original Fireplace Mantle & Surround, Exposed Brick, Salvaged Wood Details, Newly Sourced Crystal Chandelier.
Design ideas for an expansive traditional kitchen/dining combo in St Louis with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and a tile fireplace surround.

Dining room

Taylor Green

farmhouse dining room
Inspiration for a small country kitchen/dining combo in Los Angeles with white walls, brick floors, a concrete fireplace surround and brown floor.

Chandeliers

Dutton Brown Design

Inspiration for a large midcentury kitchen/dining combo with white walls, light hardwood floors, a corner fireplace and a concrete fireplace surround.

Whole House Fire Restoration

TreHus Architects+Interior Designers+Builders

Jenna & Lauren Weiler
Mid-sized traditional separate dining room in Minneapolis with grey walls, medium hardwood floors, a corner fireplace, a tile fireplace surround and brown floor.

Heatilator Design Gallery

CR Gas Logs & Fireplaces

Mid-sized transitional separate dining room in Boston with blue walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a tile fireplace surround and brown floor.

Kitchen/Dining Room Renovation

Countywide Distributors Design Center

Kitchen and dining room with a modern-day renovation. A combination of the white furniture, as well as the white kitchen island gives this kitchen/dining room a clean, sleek look.

Kahrs Hardwood Flooring

Green Building Supply

Color: Craftsman Oak Hultaby
Design ideas for a mid-sized scandinavian kitchen/dining combo in Chicago with grey walls, light hardwood floors, a corner fireplace and a tile fireplace surround.

kontrast

Fabi Architekten BDA part gmbb

Herbert Stolz, Regensburg
Photo of a large contemporary kitchen/dining combo in Munich with white walls, concrete floors, a two-sided fireplace, a concrete fireplace surround and grey floor.

Ocean Bank

Made To Last Custom Homes Ltd.

Dining Room Design Ideas with a Tile Fireplace Surround and a Concrete 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!