A contemporary holiday home located on Victoria's Mornington Peninsula featuring rammed earth walls, timber lined ceilings and flagstone floors. This home incorporates strong, natural elements and the joinery throughout features custom, stained oak timber cabinetry and natural limestone benchtops. With a nod to the mid century modern era and a balance of natural, warm elements this home displays a uniquely Australian design style. This home is a cocoon like sanctuary for rejuvenation and relaxation with all the modern conveniences one could wish for thoughtfully integrated.

19th Century Farmhouse Renovation; updated photos by Mick Hales

Kate Johns Designs

Close up of breakfast nook with built in seating and table. Bookshelves above and more industrial lighting.
Inspiration for a country dining room in Boston with medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a wood fireplace surround and beige walls.

Armstrong

Fox Floors

Photo of a mid-sized separate dining room in New York with beige walls, terra-cotta floors, a standard fireplace and a plaster fireplace surround.

Kelly Fleming Wines

Taylor Lombardo Architects

Adrián Gregorutti
Photo of a traditional separate dining room in San Francisco with a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and beige walls.

Beach Park Drive Residence

design styles architecture

This custom built 2-story French Country style home is a beautiful retreat in the South Tampa area. The exterior of the home was designed to strike a subtle balance of stucco and stone, brought together by a neutral color palette with contrasting rust-colored garage doors and shutters. To further emphasize the European influence on the design, unique elements like the curved roof above the main entry and the castle tower that houses the octagonal shaped master walk-in shower jutting out from the main structure. Additionally, the entire exterior form of the home is lined with authentic gas-lit sconces. The rear of the home features a putting green, pool deck, outdoor kitchen with retractable screen, and rain chains to speak to the country aesthetic of the home. Inside, you are met with a two-story living room with full length retractable sliding glass doors that open to the outdoor kitchen and pool deck. A large salt aquarium built into the millwork panel system visually connects the media room and living room. The media room is highlighted by the large stone wall feature, and includes a full wet bar with a unique farmhouse style bar sink and custom rustic barn door in the French Country style. The country theme continues in the kitchen with another larger farmhouse sink, cabinet detailing, and concealed exhaust hood. This is complemented by painted coffered ceilings with multi-level detailed crown wood trim. The rustic subway tile backsplash is accented with subtle gray tile, turned at a 45 degree angle to create interest. Large candle-style fixtures connect the exterior sconces to the interior details. A concealed pantry is accessed through hidden panels that match the cabinetry. The home also features a large master suite with a raised plank wood ceiling feature, and additional spacious guest suites. Each bathroom in the home has its own character, while still communicating with the overall style of the home.

Oasis on Arey's Pond

McPhee Associates of Cape Cod

This is an example of a beach style separate dining room in Boston with beige walls, light hardwood floors, a two-sided fireplace and a brick fireplace surround.

Oyster Harbors Estate: Dining Room

DANE AUSTIN INTERIOR DESIGN Boston & Cambridge

When this 6,000-square-foot vacation home suffered water damage in its family room, the homeowners decided it was time to update the interiors at large. They wanted an elegant, sophisticated, and comfortable style that served their lives but also required a design that would preserve and enhance various existing details. To begin, we focused on the timeless and most interesting aspects of the existing design. Details such as Spanish tile floors in the entry and kitchen were kept, as were the dining room's spirited marine-blue combed walls, which were refinished to add even more depth. A beloved lacquered linen coffee table was also incorporated into the great room's updated design. To modernize the interior, we looked to the home's gorgeous water views, bringing in colors and textures that related to sand, sea, and sky. In the great room, for example, textured wall coverings, nubby linen, woven chairs, and a custom mosaic backsplash all refer to the natural colors and textures just outside. Likewise, a rose garden outside the master bedroom and study informed color selections there. We updated lighting and plumbing fixtures and added a mix of antique and new furnishings. In the great room, seating and tables were specified to fit multiple configurations – the sofa can be moved to a window bay to maximize summer views, for example, but can easily be moved by the fireplace during chillier months. Project designed by Boston interior design Dane Austin Design. Dane serves Boston, Cambridge, Hingham, Cohasset, Newton, Weston, Lexington, Concord, Dover, Andover, Gloucester, as well as surrounding areas. For more about Dane Austin Design, click here: https://daneaustindesign.com/ To learn more about this project, click here: https://daneaustindesign.com/oyster-harbors-estate

Union Bay Residence

LOCKHART SUVER

Design ideas for a contemporary dining room in Seattle with beige walls, concrete floors, a two-sided fireplace and grey floor.

Desert Contemporary Residence: Dining Room

Design Directives, LLC

Contemporary desert home with natural materials. Wood, stone and copper elements throughout the house. Floors are vein-cut travertine, walls are stacked stone or dry wall with hand painted faux finish. Project designed by Susie Hersker’s Scottsdale interior design firm Design Directives. Design Directives is active in Phoenix, Paradise Valley, Cave Creek, Carefree, Sedona, and beyond. For more about Design Directives, click here: https://susanherskerasid.com/

18 T St

The Singing Stager

Small transitional kitchen/dining combo in DC Metro with beige walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and brown floor.

Hilltop Hideaway

Noble Johnson Architects

Informal dining and living area in the Great Room with wood beams on vaulted ceiling Photography: Garett + Carrie Buell of Studiobuell/ studiobuell.com.

Chandeliers

Brilliant Lighting Center

Large country open plan dining in Salt Lake City with beige walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a tile fireplace surround and brown floor.

Santa Barbara Transitional

JAUREGUI Architecture Interiors Construction

Inspiration for a large mediterranean open plan dining in Austin with medium hardwood floors, a stone fireplace surround, beige walls, a standard fireplace and brown floor.

Longstreet

New River Building Co.

Family oriented farmhouse with board and batten siding, shaker style cabinetry, brick accents, and hardwood floors. Separate entrance from garage leading to a functional, one-bedroom in-law suite.

Wood Stove in Stone Alcove

Fire Works Fireplace

Jotul Oslo Wood Stove in Blue/Black Finish, Alcove in Hillstone Verona Cast Stone, Floor in Bourbon Street Brick, Raised Hearth in Custom Reinforced Concrete, Wood Storage Below Hearth

Contemporary Cottage

A. Perry Homes

Open floor plan great room space with kitchen, living room, and dining room
This is an example of an expansive country open plan dining in Chicago with beige walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and a stone fireplace surround.

St. Pancras Penthouse Apartment

TG-Studio

Dining Room with Living space Photographer: Philip Vile
Mid-sized contemporary open plan dining in London with beige walls, a standard fireplace and light hardwood floors.

Santa Fe Chic Pueblo

Samuel Design Group

John Baker
Photo of a large dining room in Albuquerque with beige walls, a corner fireplace, a plaster fireplace surround and terra-cotta floors.

LOHI CONDO

Swiss Milk Studio

David Lauer Photography
This is an example of a large contemporary open plan dining in Denver with beige walls, medium hardwood floors, a two-sided fireplace and a wood fireplace surround.

Private Residence, Pebble Beach, California

Andrea Bartholick Pace Interior Design

Rick Pharaoh
This is an example of a mid-sized mediterranean kitchen/dining combo in Other with beige walls, ceramic floors and a standard fireplace.

All Fireplaces Dining Room Design Ideas with Beige Walls

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!