Kyle Caldwell
Photo of a transitional dining room in Boston with blue walls and light hardwood floors.

The kitchen is equipped with white painted open shelving, which gives a light, airy feeling. Painted beadboard and custom shelf brackets in the kitchen evoke a casual, seaside feel. In the dining area, a peach painted Dutch door allows in fresh sea breezes. Color, playfulness and whimsy combine to create a casual, welcoming summer retreat for empty nesters who still tell us that when they walk through the door they say “Aaahhh” to themselves. WKD took one large room and created 4 different zones: an airy and bright living room area for conversation, a cozy family room area for reading, a dining room area for family meals, and a game table area for games. The clients have hired us back for phase 2 - giving the kitchen a complete overhaul. This project was the cover story of Spring 2015 Northshore Magazine: Click Here to Read. It was also featured in May 2015 Seaside Style Magazine: Click Here to Read. Photography: Michael J. Lee

Red Hot Mama

Heidi Pribell Interiors

Heidi Pribell Interiors puts a fresh twist on classic design serving the major Boston metro area. By blending grandeur with bohemian flair, Heidi creates inviting interiors with an elegant and sophisticated appeal. Confident in mixing eras, style and color, she brings her expertise and love of antiques, art and objects to every project.

365 Summer Place - Not an address...a lifestyle!

1 Man of the Cloth

Gamma Photography Studio
This is an example of an eclectic dining room in Los Angeles with no fireplace and blue walls.

The Farrand

Shoreline Construction and Development

Photo of a mid-sized traditional open plan dining in Charleston with medium hardwood floors, blue walls, no fireplace and brown floor.

Sea of Blue

Jules Duffy Designs

Inspiration for a beach style dining room in New York with blue walls.

Modern Coastal

About Space Studios

Photo Credit: Nicole Leone
Photo of a transitional kitchen/dining combo in Los Angeles with dark hardwood floors, no fireplace, brown floor and blue walls.

Kitchen Nook

Cristin Priest {Simplified Bee}

Inspiration for a contemporary kitchen/dining combo in San Francisco with multi-coloured walls and medium hardwood floors.

Bowling Alley Table mixes with modern chandelier

Mindi Freng Designs

Photos by Kaity Dining room table was made from a repurposed bowling alley lane. Beams were wrapped in scrap walnut flooring.
This is an example of a midcentury dining room in Grand Rapids with blue walls.

My Houzz: An Antique Cape Cod House Explodes With Color

Rikki Snyder

My Houzz: Bold Wallpaper Kicks Up a Century-Old Craftsman

Sarah Greenman

Sarah Greenman © 2012 Houzz Matthew Craig Interiors
Traditional dining room in Seattle with multi-coloured walls and medium hardwood floors.

Mid-Century Modern Dining Room

User

Award Winning Mid-Century Modern Dinning Room Photo by John Ray Photography
Design ideas for a large modern kitchen/dining combo in Minneapolis with blue walls and medium hardwood floors.

Chanteur Antiqued Chinoiserie Mural

MuralSources

Design: "Chanteur Antiqued". Installed above a chair rail in this traditional dining room.
Photo of a large traditional kitchen/dining combo in Other with blue walls and wallpaper.

Fort Greene

JMorris Design

Inspiration for an eclectic dining room in New York with multi-coloured walls, medium hardwood floors, brown floor and wallpaper.

A Warm Welcome

TKS Design Group

Download our free ebook, Creating the Ideal Kitchen. DOWNLOAD NOW The homeowner and his wife had lived in this beautiful townhome in Oak Brook overlooking a small lake for over 13 years. The home is open and airy with vaulted ceilings and full of mementos from world adventures through the years, including to Cambodia, home of their much-adored sponsored daughter. The home, full of love and memories was host to a growing extended family of children and grandchildren. This was THE place. When the homeowner’s wife passed away suddenly and unexpectedly, he became determined to create a space that would continue to welcome and host his family and the many wonderful family memories that lay ahead but with an eye towards functionality. We started out by evaluating how the space would be used. Cooking and watching sports were key factors. So, we shuffled the current dining table into a rarely used living room whereby enlarging the kitchen. The kitchen now houses two large islands – one for prep and the other for seating and buffet space. We removed the wall between kitchen and family room to encourage interaction during family gatherings and of course a clear view to the game on TV. We also removed a dropped ceiling in the kitchen, and wow, what a difference. Next, we added some drama with a large arch between kitchen and dining room creating a stunning architectural feature between those two spaces. This arch echoes the shape of the large arch at the front door of the townhome, providing drama and significance to the space. The kitchen itself is large but does not have much wall space, which is a common challenge when removing walls. We added a bit more by resizing the double French doors to a balcony at the side of the house which is now just a single door. This gave more breathing room to the range wall and large stone hood but still provides access and light. We chose a neutral pallet of black, white, and white oak, with punches of blue at the counter stools in the kitchen. The cabinetry features a white shaker door at the perimeter for a crisp outline. Countertops and custom hood are black Caesarstone, and the islands are a soft white oak adding contrast and warmth. Two large built ins between the kitchen and dining room function as pantry space as well as area to display flowers or seasonal decorations. We repeated the blue in the dining room where we added a fresh coat of paint to the existing built ins, along with painted wainscot paneling. Above the wainscot is a neutral grass cloth wallpaper which provides a lovely backdrop for a wall of important mementos and artifacts. The dining room table and chairs were refinished and re-upholstered, and a new rug and window treatments complete the space. The room now feels ready to host more formal gatherings or can function as a quiet spot to enjoy a cup of morning coffee.

Coastal Hues meet Modern Vibes

MCID Interiors

Photo of a small contemporary kitchen/dining combo in Tampa with blue walls, dark hardwood floors and brown floor.

Tree House Kitchen in Piedmont

Hanomoco Design

Zoffany ombre wallpaper
This is an example of an expansive contemporary kitchen/dining combo in San Francisco with blue walls, medium hardwood floors and wallpaper.

花柄と水色が可愛い二世帯住宅

彩羽工藝舎

Inspiration for a small scandinavian open plan dining in Other with blue walls, light hardwood floors, beige floor, wallpaper and wallpaper.

West Houston dining room remodel

Beverly Vosko Interiors and Remodeling

This client wanted to update her traditional dining room. We built this lovely white floor to ceiling china cabinet with glass doors and painted the interior blue. We then wallpapered the upper part of her dining room walls with a lovely blue and white wallpaper and painted the lower part of her dining room walls white... I wish she would have let me reorganize the inside of her china cabinet and remove some of the china so that it didn't look so crowded bu I think the cabinet and the walls look fabulous.. What do you think?

Aria di rinnovamento - Progetto in corso

Liadesign

Liadesign
Design ideas for a large scandinavian dining room with multi-coloured walls, light hardwood floors, a ribbon fireplace, a plaster fireplace surround and recessed.

Dining Room Design Ideas with Blue Walls and Multi-coloured 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!