The dining room already had a beamed ceiling with painted vintage embossed wallpaper. We added this beautiful vinyl to the walls in a slate blue with modern trellis pattern that suited both the homeowner's tastes. It's washable and adds a perfect sheen to lend a little formality. The trim was given a fresh coat of paint and the fireplace accented in Benjamin Moore's Coventry Grey. A sputnik pendant adds a touch of mid-century glam, juxtaposing the rustic table. The dining table was commissioned locally of reclaimed barnwood. The chairs are of navy tweed, a durable fabric to withstand many family dinners for years to come. A buffet was added to use as a serveboard, as well as provide additional storage. The rug is a durable poly that will withstand spills better than wool.

OASIS- Luxury Staging

BA Staging & Interiors

This beautiful Westport home staged by BA Staging & Interiors is almost 9,000 square feet and features fabulous, modern-farmhouse architecture. Our staging selection was carefully chosen based on the architecture and location of the property, so that this home can really shine.

Corona Del Mar

McRae Lambert Dunn

Design ideas for a large contemporary separate dining room in Orange County with white walls, a ribbon fireplace, a wood fireplace surround, beige floor and concrete floors.

Bold See-Through Fireplace - American Hearth

American Hearth - Empire Comfort Systems

Mid-sized contemporary open plan dining in St Louis with red walls, medium hardwood floors, a two-sided fireplace, a wood fireplace surround and brown floor.

Ice Blue Living Space

Pierre Jean-Baptiste Interiors

We included new furnishings in this home’s main levels transitional space. New art & furnishings as well as unique artifacts such as the foyers sculptural pieces. In the living room we included unique furnishings such as the velvet swivel chairs with metal backs, the new grey modular sectional, new occasional tables, as well as the dark velvet fixed curtains. The office redesign includes a custom paneled ceiling wallpaper as well as a bold two-piece black forest marble desk and other essentials. The dining room started as a blank canvas until we included a new glass dining table, acrylic chairs as well as a cowhide rug to serve as an anchor to the rooms clean open feel. The walls were all painted with Benjamin Moore’s 2134-60 Whitestone in flat finish.

The Suburban Farmhaus

Howes Design Co

The Suburban Farmhaus //⁠ ⁠ A hint of country in the city suburbs. What a joy it was working on this project together with talented designers, architects & builders.⁠⠀ ⁠ The design seamlessly curated, and the end product bringing the clients vision to life perfectly.⁠ Architect - @arcologic_design⁠ Interiors & Exteriors - @lahaus_creativestudio⁠ Documentation - @howes.and.homes.designs⁠ Builder - @sovereignbuilding⁠ Landscape - @jemhanbury⁠ Photography - @jody_darcy⁠

COLLAROY 06

Gartner Trovato Architects

Photo of a contemporary dining room in Sydney with black walls, light hardwood floors, a ribbon fireplace, a wood fireplace surround and brown floor.

Real Estate

Mary Prince Photography

Mary Prince Photography
Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional open plan dining in Boston with white walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a wood fireplace surround and beige floor.

Historic Downtown

Haute Design, Inc.

Photo of a large traditional separate dining room in Charleston with white walls, carpet, a standard fireplace and a wood fireplace surround.

Villanova Residence - dining room

Archer & Buchanan Architecture, Ltd.

Photographer: Tom Crane
Photo of a large traditional separate dining room in Philadelphia with beige walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and a wood fireplace surround.

Southport kitchen

Diane Berry Kitchens

Luxury Eggersmann kitchen, designer and in stalled by Diane Berry Kitchens, stunning porcelain floor by Lapicida, kitchen furniture by Eggersmann, with Quartz worktops and Vibia pendant lights over the island. Diane not only designed the kitchen but also a feature fireplace, black and gold room divider shelving, bar area and a walk in pantry.

HD Woven Wood shades and Custom Drapery

Interior Essentials

Hunter Douglas Provenance Woven Wood shades with Custom Drapery side panels on iron rods.
Inspiration for a large transitional open plan dining in Phoenix with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a wood fireplace surround and brown floor.

Lindsey Contant Interior Design

Barbara Brown Photography

Barbara Brown Photography
Photo of a large transitional separate dining room in Atlanta with a standard fireplace, a wood fireplace surround and black walls.

Transitional Dining Room

Large transitional separate dining room in London with green walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and a wood fireplace surround.

Bespoke Dining Kitchen

Churchwood Design

A bespoke solid wood kitchen hand-painted in Sanderson 'Driftwood Grey'.
Mid-sized traditional kitchen/dining combo in Other with beige walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and a wood fireplace surround.

Drummond Modern Transitional

Laurence Cafritz Builders

Gregg Hadley
Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary open plan dining in DC Metro with white walls, light hardwood floors, beige floor, a two-sided fireplace and a wood fireplace surround.

Midland, Kitchen

Colleen Gahry-Robb for Ethan Allen Auburn Hills,MI

Colleen Gahry-Robb, Interior Designer / Ethan Allen, Auburn Hills, MI
Inspiration for a large transitional kitchen/dining combo in Detroit with grey walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a wood fireplace surround and brown floor.

Nolen Lane Interior Design

Sage Design

Photo of a large transitional separate dining room in New York with blue walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a wood fireplace surround and brown floor.

Suburban Villa in Westchester, NY

Victoria Klein

Wallpaper from Mauny with parrots, Dorothy Draper table base with black glass top, Czech bentwood chairs painted black with green billiard cloth upholstery, Edwardian English rise and fall lamp with wool voile curtains.

Historic Old New Castle Designer Showhouse

Esthetica Interiors

Malachite effect finished and high gloss applied to ceiling / Carlos Bernal
Photo of a mid-sized eclectic kitchen/dining combo in Philadelphia with green walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and a wood fireplace surround.

Dining Room Design Ideas with a Wood 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!