Design ideas for a large transitional separate dining room in Boston with blue walls, medium hardwood floors, a wood fireplace surround, exposed beam and panelled walls.

Dining Room Design

Caron Kelly Interiors

This is an example of a transitional separate dining room in Miami with blue walls, medium hardwood floors, brown floor and panelled walls.

Dinning 2

Gruebmeyer Builders

This is an example of a mid-sized traditional kitchen/dining combo in Columbus with blue walls, light hardwood floors, beige floor and panelled walls.

Monterey Project

M&P Design Group

Dining room
Inspiration for a large eclectic dining room in New York with blue walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, brown floor, wallpaper and panelled walls.

Mountain Lakes Historical Home - Dining Room

Grayscale Homes Designs

Photo of a mid-sized transitional open plan dining in New York with blue walls, medium hardwood floors, brown floor, coffered and panelled walls.

Dora Whitley Farmhouse

The Kingston Group - Remodeling Specialists

This is an example of a mid-sized country separate dining room in Nashville with blue walls, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, brown floor, wood and panelled walls.

Historic Greek Reviewal

Duchess Den Interiors

This is an example of a transitional separate dining room in New York with blue walls, medium hardwood floors, no fireplace, brown floor and panelled walls.

Chic and Fun Formal Dining

SITU DESIGN

Design ideas for a mid-sized transitional kitchen/dining combo in Chicago with blue walls, painted wood floors, brown floor and panelled walls.

Vestavia Lake Whole Home

Highland Design+Build

Small midcentury dining room in Birmingham with blue walls, light hardwood floors, brown floor, vaulted and panelled walls.

Old Town Craftsman

Sayler Studio

This is an example of a small dining room in Orange County with blue walls and panelled walls.

Best of Sandal Oak | Ventura Collection

Hallmark Floors

Sandal Oak Hardwood – The Ventura Hardwood Flooring Collection is designed to look gently aged and weathered, while still being durable and stain resistant.

Modern Shingle home: Formal Dinning Room

Gregory Ralph, Architect

Inspiration for a modern separate dining room in New York with blue walls, brown floor and panelled walls.

Kenwood at Brookfield Meadows

Natale Building Corp.

dining room in kenwood in new york
Modern kitchen/dining combo in New York with blue walls, medium hardwood floors, no fireplace, brown floor and panelled walls.

Milton Kitchen

Showpiece Kitchen & Bath

Beautiful judges panel in SW Royal Blue lacquer based paint with pottery and nickel accents in this stunning dining room.
Inspiration for a mid-sized country dining room in Atlanta with blue walls, dark hardwood floors, brown floor and panelled walls.

The Finley at Fawn Lake

J. Hall Homes, Inc.

The Finley at Fawn Lake | Award Winning Custom Home by J. Hall Homes, Inc. | Fredericksburg, Va
This is an example of a large transitional kitchen/dining combo in DC Metro with blue walls, medium hardwood floors, no fireplace, brown floor, coffered, exposed beam and panelled walls.

Dinning 1

Gruebmeyer Builders

Mid-sized traditional kitchen/dining combo in Columbus with blue walls, light hardwood floors, beige floor and panelled walls.

Country Club full house Renovation

Restor Homes

Traditional Dining room
Photo of a mid-sized transitional separate dining room in Minneapolis with blue walls, medium hardwood floors, brown floor, recessed and panelled walls.

Vintage Eclectic Tudor

Kimberley Kay Interiors

Moody dining room painted sherwin williams grays harbour
Photo of a transitional dining room in San Francisco with blue walls, vaulted and panelled walls.

Oak Grove New Construction

Berry Design Build

This is an example of a large transitional dining room in Atlanta with blue walls, medium hardwood floors, brown floor and panelled walls.

Family Home, Kensington

Stanrock Building Services Ltd

Design ideas for a large eclectic dining room in London with blue walls, light hardwood floors and panelled walls.

Dining Room Design Ideas with Blue Walls and Panelled 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!