David Dietrich
This is an example of a large contemporary kitchen/dining combo in Charlotte with a two-sided fireplace, a metal fireplace surround, beige walls, dark hardwood floors and brown floor.

Greenwhich Village

Carole Vaudable Interior Design

Large modern open plan dining in New York with beige walls, carpet, a standard fireplace, a metal fireplace surround, beige floor, coffered and wallpaper.

Dining Room Banquette

Jane Ellison

Dining Room Banquette Wow. The built-in banquette makes it the magnet gathering place every day and with company. Indoor outdoor velvet and faux leather lasts practically forever even with heavy use. The Tibetan scroll painting uses a Baroque style mirror frame – an eclectic yet perfect marriage. Tortoise vases, seasonal flowers and pillow complete the picture. Please come sit.

Modern Dining Room

Architecture Studio, Inc.

Photography by Chris Redd
Mid-sized contemporary open plan dining in Orlando with beige walls, porcelain floors, a metal fireplace surround and a hanging fireplace.

Poulsbo Dining Room

Assured Accuracy, LLC

In the dining room, the old French doors were removed and replaced with a modern, black metal French door system. This added a focal point to the room and set the tone for a Mid-Century, minimalist feel.

SAINT JEAN

Terre de brume

Mid-sized contemporary dining room in Le Havre with beige walls, medium hardwood floors, no fireplace, a metal fireplace surround and beige floor.

Gallery

MWA, Inc.

Large country separate dining room in Sacramento with beige walls, concrete floors, a wood stove, multi-coloured floor and a metal fireplace surround.

Earthship Farmstead

Kaplan Thompson Architects

Brett Winter Lemon Photography
Design ideas for a contemporary open plan dining in Portland Maine with beige walls, medium hardwood floors, a wood stove and a metal fireplace surround.

Logan Circle Modern

JD Ireland Interior Architecture + Design

The Dining and Living Room of this city residence are connected to make one large parlor appropriate for large entertaining or intimate dinners. The fireplaces, stainless steel surrounds and ceiling pendants mirror one another for continuity and consistency in the space. The bright walls and natural light create the perfect backdrop for the extraordinary artwork and furnishings. By night, the pieces are accented by carefully placed recessed lights. Photographer: Angie Seckinger

Newport Beach Modern Architectural

Luke Gibson Photography

Luke Gibson Photography
This is an example of a contemporary open plan dining in Orange County with beige walls, light hardwood floors, a ribbon fireplace and a metal fireplace surround.

Pacific 488

Hume Building

Photo of a large modern open plan dining in Sydney with beige walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a metal fireplace surround and brown floor.

Queen's Gate, South Kensington

Keir Townsend

It is a common misconception that the fewer pieces of furniture and features you have in a space, the bigger it will look – this isn’t actually the case. The more zones and features you have the more it creates a perception of different areas within one room. The trick is not to have too many contrasts or palette juxtapositions but to use neutral tones in a variety of different textures and materials. A material that consists of layers of liquid metal and resin has been used to clad the fireplace surround, hand chiselled to create a crackled effect it has a textured appearance that is tactile and visually stimulating. Keir Townsend has collaborated with Italian manufacturer Laurameroni on production of the copper coffee table; it features a unique process which involves applying patinated metal strips of different widths to furniture surfaces. The velvet upholstered sofa has a matching ottoman which gives a feeling of expansive luxury and provides extra seating if required.

The Evolution - Wolf Custom Homes

Best Home Magazine

This is an example of a contemporary dining room in Calgary with beige walls, medium hardwood floors, a two-sided fireplace and a metal fireplace surround.

Church Renovation: Bohemian Industrial Metamorphasis

The Home Co.

Marcell Puzsar, Brightroom Photography
Large industrial kitchen/dining combo in San Francisco with beige walls, concrete floors, a ribbon fireplace and a metal fireplace surround.

Small Dinning room design idea

Yantram Animation Studio

there is a spacious area to seat together in Dinning area. In the dinning area there is wooden dinning table with white sofa chairs, stylish pendant lights, well designed wall ,Windows to see outside view, grey curtains, showpieces on the table. In this design of dinning room there is good contrast of brownish wall color and white sofa.

Laurelhurst Luxury Midcentury Home

Seattle Staged to Sell and Design LLC

Formal dining area in luxury Midcentury home with light hardwood flooring.
Inspiration for a midcentury dining room in Seattle with beige walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a metal fireplace surround and brown floor.

Success Crescent

Mountford Architects

These large glass sliding doors allow the dining area to open seamlessly into the outside deck - providing a beautiful space for entertaining. Photographed by Stephen Nicholls

Dining Room Banquette

Jane Ellison

Modern Patriot

Locati Architects

Modern Patriot Residence by Locati Architects, Interior Design by Locati Interiors, Photography by Gibeon Photography
This is an example of a contemporary open plan dining in Other with beige walls, a ribbon fireplace and a metal fireplace surround.

Canyon View Project

Bailey Bishop Design

Inspiration for a small contemporary kitchen/dining combo in San Diego with beige walls, porcelain floors, a standard fireplace, a metal fireplace surround and beige floor.

Dining Room Design Ideas with Beige Walls 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!