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.

Built-in Dry Bar

VMAX LLC

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

3 Barn Farm

Elizabeth Drake of Drake Interiors Limited

Photo of a country dining room in Other with green walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a tile fireplace surround, brown floor, exposed beam and wallpaper.

Alamo Square 921

SF Design Build

Interior Design: Ilana Cohen | Styling & Photos: Sarah Owen
This is an example of a transitional dining room in San Francisco with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a tile fireplace surround and brown floor.

Park Slope Brownstone

Linda Cava

Mid-sized traditional separate dining room in New York with a standard fireplace, a tile fireplace surround and multi-coloured walls.

White-Cream Kitchen Remodel with Shiplap & Rustic Beams

The Cleary Company

Existing tumbled limestone tiles were removed from the fireplace & hearth and replaced with new taupe colored brick-like 2x8 ceramic tile. A new reclaimed rustic beam installed for mantle. To add even more architectural detail to the fireplace painted shiplap boards were installed over existing drywall. Marshall Skinner, Marshall Evan Photography

Dining Room of the General Federation of Women's Clubs

Plumb Square Builders

The dining room received structural work on the flooring, as well as new steel beams in the ceiling. - Plumb Square Builders
Expansive traditional separate dining room in DC Metro with beige walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and a tile fireplace surround.

Luxe Contemporary

Martin Perri Interiors, Inc.

Inspiration for a contemporary dining room in Other with beige walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and a tile fireplace surround.

Dining Room Feels

Stalburg Design

This multi-functional dining room is designed to reflect our client's eclectic and industrial vibe. From the distressed fabric on our custom swivel chairs to the reclaimed wood on the dining table, this space welcomes you in to cozy and have a seat. The highlight is the custom flooring, which carries slate-colored porcelain hex from the mudroom toward the dining room, blending into the light wood flooring with an organic feel. The metallic porcelain tile and hand blown glass pendants help round out the mixture of elements, and the result is a welcoming space for formal dining or after-dinner reading!

Hudson River Views

Darci Hether New York

With four bedrooms, three and a half bathrooms, and a revamped family room, this gut renovation of this three-story Westchester home is all about thoughtful design and meticulous attention to detail. The dining area, with its refined wooden table and comfortable chairs, is perfect for gatherings and entertaining in style. --- Our interior design service area is all of New York City including the Upper East Side and Upper West Side, as well as the Hamptons, Scarsdale, Mamaroneck, Rye, Rye City, Edgemont, Harrison, Bronxville, and Greenwich CT. For more about Darci Hether, see here: https://darcihether.com/ To learn more about this project, see here: https://darcihether.com/portfolio/hudson-river-view-home-renovation-westchester

Pacific Heights Victorian

Cook Construction

This four-story Victorian revival was amazing to see unfold; from replacing the foundation, building out the 1st floor, hoisting structural steel into place, and upgrading to in-floor radiant heat. This gorgeous “Old Lady” got all the bells and whistles. This quintessential Victorian presented itself with all the complications imaginable when bringing an early 1900’s home back to life. Our favorite task? The Custom woodwork: hand carving and installing over 200 florets to match historical home details. Anyone would be hard-pressed to see the transitions from existing to new, but we invite you to come and try for yourselves!

Penthouse Dreams

MAC Renovations LTD.

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

Traditional Dining Room

Inspiration for an expansive traditional dining room in Seattle with green walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a tile fireplace surround and decorative wall panelling.

F O R E S T H I L L S

Evensen Design

ado.photo@gmail.com
Inspiration for a large transitional separate dining room in Dallas with blue walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a tile fireplace surround and brown floor.

Elysian Home Remodel

Parc Chateau Homes

Shoot to Sell
This is an example of a mid-sized modern separate dining room in Dallas with dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a tile fireplace surround and grey walls.

Chesney's Featured Mantels

Chesney's

Inspiration for a mid-sized eclectic separate dining room in New York with white walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a tile fireplace surround and beige 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.

Lake View

Jennifer Ryan Design

katheryn Moran Photography
This is an example of a mid-sized industrial open plan dining in Seattle with white walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a tile fireplace surround and brown floor.

Casa Garcia

Beck Custom Homes, LLC

Inspiration for a large mediterranean open plan dining in Orlando with orange walls, terra-cotta floors, a standard fireplace and a tile fireplace surround.

Mendota Fireplace Gallery

Heat 'N Sweep

Photo of a large transitional separate dining room in Other with beige walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a tile fireplace surround and brown floor.

Dining Room Design Ideas with a Standard Fireplace and a Tile 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!