Inspiration for a large midcentury open plan dining in Los Angeles with yellow walls, light hardwood floors, a two-sided fireplace, a brick fireplace surround, timber and planked wall panelling.

Tuckborough Urban Farmhouse

Swanson Homes

An open main floor optimizes the use of your space and allows for easy transitions. This open-concept kitchen, dining and sun room provides the perfect scene for guests to move from dinner to a cozy conversation by the fireplace.

Union Pier Lakehouse

Devon Grace Interiors

Photo of a large modern open plan dining in Chicago with white walls, light hardwood floors, a two-sided fireplace, a plaster fireplace surround and timber.

Brown Maple Plank Flooring, Open Concept Living

Vermont Plank Flooring

Natural Brown Maple Plank flooring in a Vermont farmhouse, with gorgeous barnboard ceilings in the bedrooms. Finished with a water-based, satin sheen finish. Flooring: Natural Brown Maple Plank Flooring in varied 5″, 7″ & 9″ widths Finish: Vermont Plank Flooring Whetstone Valley Farm Finish

Contemporary Farmhouse

KGA Studio Architects, PC

Design ideas for a large country dining room in Denver with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a two-sided fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, brown floor and timber.

Freshwater House

Richard Cole Architecture

The open living spaces with spectacular vaulted timber lined ceiling.
Inspiration for a large contemporary open plan dining in Sydney with white walls, concrete floors, a two-sided fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, grey floor and timber.

Garden Retreat by Burdge Architects

Burdge & Associates Architects

Dining room, Modern french farmhouse. Light and airy. Garden Retreat by Burdge Architects in Malibu, California.
Country open plan dining in Los Angeles with white walls, light hardwood floors, a two-sided fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, brown floor and timber.

IMG_4526.JPG

Architecture Republic

Large contemporary open plan dining with multi-coloured walls, concrete floors, a two-sided fireplace, a concrete fireplace surround, grey floor, timber and decorative wall panelling.

Making the most of the views

Studio Jung

Photo of custom joinery for the communal dining area of 'The Retreat at Mt Cathedral' by Studio Jung
Design ideas for a mid-sized contemporary dining room in Melbourne with grey walls, concrete floors, a two-sided fireplace, grey floor and timber.

Gorrie Farmhouse

Imagine Inc — Home & Commercial Design

Photo of a mid-sized country dining room in Toronto with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a two-sided fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, multi-coloured floor and timber.

Central Alberta Residence - Dining Room

Uniik Design

Large transitional kitchen/dining combo in Calgary with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a two-sided fireplace, brown floor and timber.

Think Outside the Kitchen “Box”! - Designer's HOME

TOC design & construction inc.

You Can Make It into a Multipurpose Room Using different rooms for different purposes is so outdated. These days, the majority of people want their kitchen to be a family-hub where everyone can gather for meals, but still have enough space to do their own thing too. Depending on the size of your kitchen, you may want to combine preparation and cooking areas with dining areas and living zones. Even if your kitchen isn’t huge, having an area in the kitchen where you can enjoy a meal or a glass of wine with friends will allow you to continue being part of the conversation even if you’re washing the dishes or preparing food.

Woodland Hills Kitchen Remodel with Custom Cabinets

A-List Builders Inc.

Photo of a large contemporary open plan dining in Los Angeles with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a two-sided fireplace, a brick fireplace surround, brown floor and timber.

St. Albert Regency Heights Estates #3 - Interior Renovation

Four Elements Construction

This is our very first Four Elements remodel show home! We started with a basic spec-level early 2000s walk-out bungalow, and transformed the interior into a beautiful modern farmhouse style living space with many custom features. The floor plan was also altered in a few key areas to improve livability and create more of an open-concept feel. Check out the shiplap ceilings with Douglas fir faux beams in the kitchen, dining room, and master bedroom. And a new coffered ceiling in the front entry contrasts beautifully with the custom wood shelving above the double-sided fireplace. Highlights in the lower level include a unique under-stairs custom wine & whiskey bar and a new home gym with a glass wall view into the main recreation area.

Open plan

User

This is an example of an expansive traditional dining room in Surrey with white walls, painted wood floors, a two-sided fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, brown floor, timber and wallpaper.

Woodland Hills Kitchen Remodel - Custom Cabinets throughout

A-List Builders Inc.

The custom cabinets continue into the dining room which really brings the entire space together very nicely. The homeowners paid very close attention to the details and did a great job incorporating everything beautifully.

St. Albert Regency Heights Estates #3 - Interior Renovation

Four Elements Construction

Long Grove, IL 3

Heartstone Custom Builders

Photo of a kitchen/dining combo in Chicago with white walls, dark hardwood floors, a two-sided fireplace, brown floor, timber and brick walls.

Lakeside Cottage #2

Cannarsa Structure and Design

Design ideas for a transitional kitchen/dining combo in Grand Rapids with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a two-sided fireplace, a brick fireplace surround, brown floor, timber and panelled walls.

Freshwater House

Richard Cole Architecture

The open living spaces with spectacular vaulted timber lined ceiling.
Large contemporary open plan dining in Sydney with white walls, concrete floors, a two-sided fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, grey floor and timber.

Dining Room Design Ideas with a Two-sided Fireplace and Timber

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!