This is an example of a mid-sized transitional separate dining room in San Diego with blue walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a plaster fireplace surround and beige floor.

Transitional Dining Room

Mid-sized transitional kitchen/dining combo in San Diego with blue walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and a plaster fireplace surround.

CAMMERAY RESIDENCE

Studio Trio

This is an example of a midcentury open plan dining in Sydney with blue walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and a plaster fireplace surround.

Transitional Dining Room

Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional separate dining room in San Diego with blue walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a plaster fireplace surround and beige floor.

Berteaux

Groom Construction Co., Inc.

Inspiration for a traditional dining room in Boston with blue walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a plaster fireplace surround and brown floor.

Sophisticated Mid-Century Home : Barnes

Cassidy Hughes Interior Design

Gregory Davies
Inspiration for a midcentury separate dining room in London with blue walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and a plaster fireplace surround.

Holiday Decorating- Blue Velvet Christmas

Robin LaMonte/Rooms Revamped

Holiday decorating for Kelly Page, a blogger @bluegraygal in Atlanta. She loves the blue, cream, and gold color scheme. Photo by Sarah D. Harper
Photo of a large transitional kitchen/dining combo in Atlanta with blue walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and a plaster fireplace surround.

Sophisticated Mid-Century Home : Barnes

Cassidy Hughes Interior Design

Gregory Davies
Inspiration for a midcentury separate dining room in London with blue walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and a plaster fireplace surround.

Sophisticated Mid-Century Home : Barnes

Cassidy Hughes Interior Design

Gregory Davies
Inspiration for a midcentury separate dining room in London with blue walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and a plaster fireplace surround.

Mason-Grabell Residence

Arielle C. Schechter, AIA

Although the kitchen, dining, living and music rooms are all connected, we designed them to be distinct spaces that each have their own identity. This view from the kitchen looks across the dining room to the double sided fireplace and the little cocktail bar directly to the right.

Treasure Island Beach Residence

ZaZood

BEL Photography
This is an example of a large beach style open plan dining in Tampa with blue walls, ceramic floors, a standard fireplace, a plaster fireplace surround and multi-coloured floor.

Sophisticated Mid-Century Home : Barnes

Cassidy Hughes Interior Design

Gregory Davies
This is an example of a midcentury separate dining room in London with blue walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and a plaster fireplace surround.

Rustic Elegance

Styling Spaces Home Staging & Re-Design

Foyer Entrance Elegant Homes Photography
Mid-sized traditional open plan dining in Nashville with blue walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and a plaster fireplace surround.

Sophisticated Mid-Century Home : Barnes

Cassidy Hughes Interior Design

Gregory Davies
This is an example of a midcentury separate dining room in London with blue walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and a plaster fireplace surround.

Sophisticated Mid-Century Home : Barnes

Cassidy Hughes Interior Design

Gregory Davies
This is an example of a midcentury separate dining room in London with blue walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and a plaster fireplace surround.

Photo avant

M&L Décoration

This is an example of a mid-sized country dining room in Other with blue walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a plaster fireplace surround, exposed beam and wallpaper.

Arts and Crafts House

Reyne Design

I worked with my client to create a home that looked and functioned beautifully whilst minimising the impact on the environment. We reused furniture where possible, sourced antiques and used sustainable products where possible, ensuring we combined deliveries and used UK based companies where possible. The result is a unique family home. The client's existing antique dining set was reupholstered in a selection of contrasting fabrics to contrast with the clean lines of the Crittel home office beyond. The roof light and huge expanses of glazing floods the space with natural light, whilst our carefully design lighting scheme allows for an adaptive lighting scheme at night.

Luxury looking herringbone

Hertford Flooring Ltd

Herringbone Pattern within solid oak. With a two block border to knock your socks... off...Then a single wenge pencil line... Showing it off just fine... Finished off with two coats of Osmo Oil. Flooring to be proud of, it won't make your blood boil... Image 8/8

Luxury looking herringbone

Hertford Flooring Ltd

Espace salle à manger

M&L Décoration

Inspiration for a mid-sized country dining room in Other with blue walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a plaster fireplace surround and exposed beam.

Dining Room Design Ideas with Blue Walls and a Plaster 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!