First impression count as you enter this custom-built Horizon Homes property at Kellyville. The home opens into a stylish entryway, with soaring double height ceilings. It’s often said that the kitchen is the heart of the home. And that’s literally true with this home. With the kitchen in the centre of the ground floor, this home provides ample formal and informal living spaces on the ground floor. At the rear of the house, a rumpus room, living room and dining room overlooking a large alfresco kitchen and dining area make this house the perfect entertainer. It’s functional, too, with a butler’s pantry, and laundry (with outdoor access) leading off the kitchen. There’s also a mudroom – with bespoke joinery – next to the garage. Upstairs is a mezzanine office area and four bedrooms, including a luxurious main suite with dressing room, ensuite and private balcony. Outdoor areas were important to the owners of this knockdown rebuild. While the house is large at almost 454m2, it fills only half the block. That means there’s a generous backyard. A central courtyard provides further outdoor space. Of course, this courtyard – as well as being a gorgeous focal point – has the added advantage of bringing light into the centre of the house.

Yarrawarrah Private Residence

Michelle Viret Design

Photo of a mid-sized contemporary kitchen/dining combo in Sydney with white walls, light hardwood floors, a two-sided fireplace, a tile fireplace surround and brown floor.

Weehawken

Design Depot

This is an example of a small modern separate dining room in New York with grey walls, dark hardwood floors, a ribbon fireplace and a tile fireplace surround.

Moseley Victorian semi-detached house, Birmingham

Rumi Bunya Design Ltd

Mid-sized eclectic open plan dining in West Midlands with white walls, light hardwood floors, no fireplace, a tile fireplace surround and grey floor.

Mid-Century Modern Sacramento Home

Benning Design Construction

Photo of a midcentury kitchen/dining combo in Sacramento with grey walls, porcelain floors, a corner fireplace, a tile fireplace surround and grey floor.

Meant to Be(ach)

GLDESIGN

Photo of a large beach style separate dining room in Other with white walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a tile fireplace surround, brown floor and planked wall panelling.

Eclectic Arts + Crafts Dining Room with Fireplace + Round Marble Top Table

Jennifer Gustafson Interior Design

• Craftsman-style dining area • Furnishings + decorative accessory styling • Pedestal dining table base - Herman Miller Eames base w/custom top • Vintage wood framed dining chairs re-upholstered • Oversized floor lamp - Artemide • Burlap wall treatment • Leather Ottoman - Herman Miller Eames • Fireplace with vintage tile + wood mantel • Wood ceiling beams • Modern art

Hilltop Spanish Mediterranean Home

Allen Construction

Beautiful Spanish tile details are present in almost every room of the home creating a unifying theme and warm atmosphere. Wood beamed ceilings converge between the living room, dining room, and kitchen to create an open great room. Arched windows and large sliding doors frame the amazing views of the ocean. Architect: Beving Architecture Photographs: Jim Bartsch Photographer

REFORMA INTEGRAL E INTERIORISMO REYES

SMG Arquitectura y Reformas

Design ideas for a mid-sized contemporary open plan dining in Madrid with white walls, multi-coloured floor, panelled walls, ceramic floors, a standard fireplace and a metal fireplace surround.

Hollywood Regency Dining Room

Blackdoor Design by Tamra Coviello

Custom molding on the walls adds depth and drama to the space. The client's bold David Bowie painting pops against the Sherwin Williams Gauntlet Gray walls. The organic burl wood table and the mid-century sputnik chandelier (from Arteriors) adds softness to the space. Photo by Melissa Au

Contemporaneo Sala Da Pranzo

Inspiration for a contemporary open plan dining in Milan with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a tile fireplace surround and brown floor.

Owls Head, Maine

Katie Geddes Interiors

Photo of an eclectic separate dining room in Bridgeport with blue walls, a standard fireplace and a tile fireplace surround.

Pella Windows & Doors

Timberline Windows & Doors

Design ideas for a mid-sized contemporary separate dining room in Other with white walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a metal fireplace surround and beige floor.

Built-in Dry Bar

VMAX LLC

Photography Anna Zagorodna
Small midcentury separate dining room in Richmond with blue walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a tile fireplace surround and brown floor.

Pequeños y grandes detalles

Clysa

Kris Moya Estudio
Large contemporary open plan dining in Barcelona with grey walls, laminate floors, a two-sided fireplace, a metal fireplace surround and brown floor.

Los Gatos Remodel

Vivian Soliemani Design

This open concept dining room not only is open to the kitchen and living room but also flows out to sprawling decks overlooking Silicon Valley. The weathered wood table and custom veneer millwork are juxtaposed against the sleek nature of the polished concrete floors and metal detailing on the custom fireplace.

Victorian Restoration

Landry & Arcari Rugs and Carpeting

Designer Amanda Reid selected Landry & Arcari rugs for this recent Victorian restoration featured on This Old House on PBS. The goal for the project was to bring the home back to its original Victorian style after a previous owner removed many classic architectural details. Eric Roth

Open Plan Living/Dining

De Mattei Construction

Photographer: Tyler Chartier
Photo of a mid-sized midcentury kitchen/dining combo in San Francisco with white walls, dark hardwood floors and a tile fireplace surround.

My Houzz: The Thorns

Lucy Call

Photo: Lucy Call © 2014 Houzz Design: Imbue Design
This is an example of a contemporary dining room in Salt Lake City with concrete floors, a metal fireplace surround and a ribbon fireplace.

Dining room to living room

Camber Construction

Oakland Hills Whole Hose Remodel. Award-winning Design for Living’s Dream Kitchen Contest in 2007. Design by Twig Gallemore at Elevation Design & Architecture. Photo of dining room to living room and fireplace

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