This is an example of a country kitchen/dining combo in London with blue walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and a wood fireplace surround.

Bristol Farm - Maine

Burrow & Nest

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.

1800's Victorian Mansion Restored

User

Inspiration for a large transitional separate dining room in Boston with blue walls, carpet and a wood fireplace surround.

Bold and Beautiful St Kilda West home

Moss Melbourne

Martina Gemmola
Inspiration for a large eclectic separate dining room in Melbourne with blue walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a wood fireplace surround and brown floor.

Fovero RLM Cord Hung Pendants

HTM Lighting Solutions

Inspiration for a small traditional kitchen/dining combo in Tampa with blue walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a wood fireplace surround and grey floor.

Staged and Sold Vacant Home, Humphrey St., Marblehead, MA

BK Classic Collections Home Stagers

Photo of a mid-sized country open plan dining in Boston with blue walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and a wood fireplace surround.

Nolen Lane Interior Design

Sage Design

This is an example of a large transitional separate dining room in New York with blue walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and a wood fireplace surround.

Chester County Residence

Bernardon

Don Pearse Photographers
This is an example of a mid-sized traditional kitchen/dining combo in Other with blue walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a wood fireplace surround and brown floor.

Anderson, Kansas City

+ Modern Design

Mid Century Condo Kansas City, MO - Mid Century Modern Design - Bentwood Chairs - Geometric Lattice Wall Pattern - New Mixed with Retro Wesley Piercy, Haus of You Photography

Transitional Kitchen and Dining Room Renovation in West Chester, PA

Rudloff Custom Builders

This kitchen and dining room remodel gave this transitional/traditional home a fresh and chic update. The kitchen features a black granite counters, top of the line appliances, a wet bar, a custom-built wall cabinet for storage and a place for charging electronics, and a large center island. The blue island features seating for four, lots of storage and microwave drawer. Its counter is made of two layers of Carrara marble. In the dining room, the custom-made wainscoting and fireplace surround mimic the kitchen cabinetry, providing a cohesive and modern look. RUDLOFF Custom Builders has won Best of Houzz for Customer Service in 2014, 2015 2016 and 2017. We also were voted Best of Design in 2016, 2017 and 2018, which only 2% of professionals receive. Rudloff Custom Builders has been featured on Houzz in their Kitchen of the Week, What to Know About Using Reclaimed Wood in the Kitchen as well as included in their Bathroom WorkBook article. We are a full service, certified remodeling company that covers all of the Philadelphia suburban area. This business, like most others, developed from a friendship of young entrepreneurs who wanted to make a difference in their clients’ lives, one household at a time. This relationship between partners is much more than a friendship. Edward and Stephen Rudloff are brothers who have renovated and built custom homes together paying close attention to detail. They are carpenters by trade and understand concept and execution. RUDLOFF CUSTOM BUILDERS will provide services for you with the highest level of professionalism, quality, detail, punctuality and craftsmanship, every step of the way along our journey together. Specializing in residential construction allows us to connect with our clients early in the design phase to ensure that every detail is captured as you imagined. One stop shopping is essentially what you will receive with RUDLOFF CUSTOM BUILDERS from design of your project to the construction of your dreams, executed by on-site project managers and skilled craftsmen. Our concept: envision our client’s ideas and make them a reality. Our mission: CREATING LIFETIME RELATIONSHIPS BUILT ON TRUST AND INTEGRITY. Photo Credit: JMB Photoworks

Mansion on Delaware Ave, Buffalo NY

Susan Dario

Rion Rizzo
Transitional dining room in New York with blue walls, carpet, a standard fireplace and a wood fireplace surround.

Ravenswood Ground Floor Conversion

Studio Fabbri

This is an example of a contemporary open plan dining in London with blue walls, cork floors, a corner fireplace and a wood fireplace surround.

Traditional Residence in Malvern, PA

User

Watch our project videos with before and after pictures: http://www.larisamcshane.com/projects/

Millwood Project

Rovimat Group Inc

Photo of a transitional dining room in Toronto with blue walls, medium hardwood floors, a ribbon fireplace, a wood fireplace surround and brown floor.

Stone

Circo Architects Inc

Amy Braswell - Photographer
Inspiration for a traditional separate dining room in Chicago with blue walls, dark hardwood floors and a wood fireplace surround.

Vibrant Victorian

James John Flynn

Photo of a mid-sized modern separate dining room in Chicago with blue walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and a wood fireplace surround.

Lindsey Contant Interior Design

Barbara Brown Photography

Barbara Brown Photography
Design ideas for a large eclectic separate dining room in Atlanta with blue walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and a wood fireplace surround.

Hingham

Lisa Tharp Design

Custom designed table and settee from Lisa Tharp Collection. Photo by Michael J. Lee
Inspiration for a contemporary open plan dining in Boston with blue walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and a wood fireplace surround.

Renovation at Historic Home in Fairfield

kellydesigns

Diane Wagner Modern meets Historic ... dynamic changes in old home. This young family wanted to update their historic home and add their sense of style and modernism to the decor.

décoration salon et chambre d'enfants dans le 5eme

Amy R Walter

Décoration murale et ameublement
Small eclectic dining room in Paris with blue walls, light hardwood floors and a wood fireplace surround.

Dining Room Design Ideas with Blue Walls and 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!