Design ideas for a large transitional kitchen/dining combo in Boston with grey walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a tile fireplace surround and beige floor.

Beverly Estates Residence

Ameen Ayoub Design Studio

Inspiration for an expansive contemporary open plan dining in Los Angeles with white walls, a two-sided fireplace, a tile fireplace surround and grey floor.

Family Room

Landmark Building Consultants LLC

This is an example of a mid-sized transitional open plan dining in Phoenix with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a tile fireplace surround and brown floor.

Contemporary Residence

Wood Specialties, Inc.

Thomas Grady Photography
Inspiration for a large contemporary kitchen/dining combo in Omaha with light hardwood floors, a tile fireplace surround, grey walls and a ribbon fireplace.

Impeccable Charm

All Star Premier Homes, LLC

Design ideas for a country open plan dining in New Orleans with beige walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and a tile fireplace surround.

Caisson Studios– Interior Designer Los Angeles

Caisson Studios

This is an example of a large contemporary open plan dining in Los Angeles with white walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and a tile fireplace surround.

Frontenac Contemporary Home

Tamsin Design Group

Designer: Tamsin Design Group, Photographer: Alise O'Brien, Builder REA Homes, Architect: Mitchell Wall
Large contemporary open plan dining in St Louis with a tile fireplace surround, white walls, a two-sided fireplace and white floor.

Private Residence, Chicago

Parallax Design LLC

Allison Schatz
Design ideas for a contemporary separate dining room in Chicago with white walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and a tile fireplace surround.

PBH Keith Heights

PBH Design

Mid-sized midcentury open plan dining in Dallas with white walls, dark hardwood floors, a two-sided fireplace and a tile fireplace surround.

Hayes Valley 222

SF Design Build

Photo of an eclectic separate dining room in San Francisco with blue walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a tile fireplace surround and wallpaper.

Zapadniy, 700 m2

Nirenburg.Design

Роскошная столовая зона с обеденным столом на 8 персон, при желании можно добавить еще два кресла.
Inspiration for a large traditional kitchen/dining combo in Other with beige walls, medium hardwood floors, a hanging fireplace, a tile fireplace surround, brown floor and vaulted.

Not Your Grandfather's Barn! A Modern Pole Barn House in Lauderdale Lake Area

Stebnitz Builders, Inc.

This 2,500 square-foot home, combines the an industrial-meets-contemporary gives its owners the perfect place to enjoy their rustic 30- acre property. Its multi-level rectangular shape is covered with corrugated red, black, and gray metal, which is low-maintenance and adds to the industrial feel. Encased in the metal exterior, are three bedrooms, two bathrooms, a state-of-the-art kitchen, and an aging-in-place suite that is made for the in-laws. This home also boasts two garage doors that open up to a sunroom that brings our clients close nature in the comfort of their own home. The flooring is polished concrete and the fireplaces are metal. Still, a warm aesthetic abounds with mixed textures of hand-scraped woodwork and quartz and spectacular granite counters. Clean, straight lines, rows of windows, soaring ceilings, and sleek design elements form a one-of-a-kind, 2,500 square-foot home

Dunstan

LBJ Construction, LP

Design ideas for a transitional separate dining room in Houston with grey walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a tile fireplace surround and brown floor.

Superview Residence

Daniel Boardman Residential Design

Photo of a contemporary open plan dining in Austin with white walls, concrete floors, a ribbon fireplace, a tile fireplace surround and grey floor.

Garden Fresh

Moderne Builders

Peak Photog
Inspiration for a mid-sized midcentury dining room in Los Angeles with white walls, concrete floors, a standard fireplace and a tile fireplace surround.

Annex Victorian

Toronto Interior Design Group

Brandon Barre & Gillian Jackson
This is an example of a mid-sized traditional separate dining room in Toronto with light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and a tile fireplace surround.

Parisian salon

Jane Ellison

A custom-cut piece of glass tops a Saarinen tulip table base framed by a curvaceous silk-velvet settee and a wood bench stands in place of a conventional dining set in the dining area. “I didn’t want the clutter of a lot of chairs” Jane says. “It would have interfered with the calm of the room.” Timber bamboo, lustrous overscale Vietnamese pottery, a trio of sparkling Thai mirrors, and nearly a dozen candles interspersed with smooth dark stones enhance the dining area’s grown-up appeal.

Lasso Project

Residents Understood

Inspiration for a transitional separate dining room in Jacksonville with white walls, medium 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.

Квартира на Петроградской стороне в доме с совами

Екатерина Титенко

Inspiration for a mid-sized eclectic open plan dining in Saint Petersburg with multi-coloured walls, medium hardwood floors, a wood stove, a tile fireplace surround and brown floor.

All Fireplaces Dining Room Design Ideas with 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!