Bob Greenspan Photography
Midcentury dining room in Kansas City with blue walls and no fireplace.

New Yorkers are always on the prowl for innovative ways to make the most of the space they have. An upper east side couple, challenged with a slightly narrow L shaped apartment sought out Decor Aid’s help to make the most of their Manhattan condo. Paired with one of our senior designer, Kimberly P., we learned that the clients wanted a space that looked beautiful, comfortable and also packed with functionality for everyday living. “Immediately upon seeing the space, I knew that we needed to create a narrative that allowed the design to control how you moved through the space,” reports Kimberly, senior interior designer. After surveying each room and learning a bit more about their personal style, we started with the living room remodel. It was clear that the couple wanted to infuse mid-century modern into the design plan. Sourcing the Room & Board Jasper Sofa with its narrow arms and tapered legs, it offered the mid-century look, with the modern comfort the clients are used to. Velvet accent pillows from West Elm and Crate & Barrel add pops of colors but also a subtle touch of luxury, while framed pictures from the couple’s honeymoon personalize the space. Moving to the dining room next, Kimberly decided to add a blue accent wall to emphasize the Horchow two piece Percussion framed art that was to be the focal point of the dining area. The Seno sideboard from Article perfectly accentuated the mid-century style the clients loved while providing much-needed storage space. The palette used throughout both rooms were very New York style, grays, blues, beiges, and whites, to add depth, Kimberly sourced decorative pieces in a mixture of different metals. “The artwork above their bureau in the bedroom is photographs that her father took,” Moving into the bedroom renovation, our designer made sure to continue to stick to the client’s style preference while once again creating a personalized, warm and comforting space by including the photographs taken by the client’s father. The Avery bed added texture and complimented the other colors in the room, while a hidden drawer at the foot pulls out for attached storage, which thrilled the clients. A deco-inspired Faceted mirror from West Elm was a perfect addition to the bedroom due to the illusion of space it provides. The result was a bedroom that was full of mid-century design, personality, and area so they can freely move around. The project resulted in the form of a layered mid-century modern design with touches of luxury but a space that can not only be lived in but serves as an extension of the people who live there. Our designer was able to take a very narrowly shaped Manhattan apartment and revamp it into a spacious home that is great for sophisticated entertaining or comfortably lazy nights in.

Nautical House on the Bay - Hamptons

Austin Patterson Disston Architects

Tria Giovan
Photo of a dining room in New York with blue walls and dark hardwood floors.

Lakeridge Crossing Dining Room

Bancroft Blue Design Co.

This full remodel project featured a complete redo of the existing kitchen. Designed and Planned by J. Graham of Bancroft Blue Design, the entire layout of the space was thoughtfully executed with unique blending of details, a one of a kind Coffer ceiling accent piece with integrated lighting, and a ton of features within the cabinets. The Dining room received new flooring, new lighting, a new window, new paint, and a custom design wainscoting by J. Graham.

Austin TX Portfolio

Wendi Gee Interiors

Dining Room with mixed woods and pale blue grasscloth give this a coastal look. Custom white window treatments top it off.
Transitional separate dining room in Austin with blue walls, light hardwood floors, brown floor and wallpaper.

Emerald update

Brittany C Wallace Interiors

This is an example of a mid-sized transitional separate dining room in Atlanta with blue walls, light hardwood floors and no fireplace.

Projet de Sabine et Ludovic

Studio445

La salle à manger séduit par son élégance, le papier peint texturé dialogue subtilement avec un mur bleu foncé, tandis que le mobilier raffiné table et chaises, s'intègrent parfaitement à l'ensemble. Une suspension soigneusement choisie vient couronner la pièce avec style.

The Perfect guest House

Sally Scott Interior Designer

Lovely dining room, soft blue, comfortable bench seating and bistro chairs. Beadboard wall.
Inspiration for a mid-sized beach style kitchen/dining combo in Bridgeport with blue walls, light hardwood floors, beige floor and decorative wall panelling.

Country Club Remodel

Cannon Homes & Remodels

Formal dining room, wallpaper. Custom table and light fixture.
Mid-sized contemporary kitchen/dining combo in Other with blue walls, medium hardwood floors, wallpaper and wallpaper.

Queen's Drive

AMC design

Photo of a transitional dining room in Other with blue walls, grey floor, recessed and brick walls.

Streamline Batignolles

Anne Chemineau - Decor Interieur

Création d’un grand appartement familial avec espace parental et son studio indépendant suite à la réunion de deux lots. Une rénovation importante est effectuée et l’ensemble des espaces est restructuré et optimisé avec de nombreux rangements sur mesure. Les espaces sont ouverts au maximum pour favoriser la vue vers l’extérieur.

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.

House on the Hill

Georgia Zikas Design

Youthful tradition for a bustling young family. Refined and elegant, deliberate and thoughtful — with outdoor living fun.
Photo of a traditional separate dining room in Other with blue walls, medium hardwood floors, brown floor, decorative wall panelling and wallpaper.

Freeport Tiny House

Marvin Design Gallery by Eldredge Lumber

Integrity from Marvin Windows and Doors open this tiny house up to a larger-than-life ocean view.
This is an example of a small country open plan dining in Portland Maine with blue walls, light hardwood floors, no fireplace and brown floor.

Twin Peaks House

Moment X Studio

Mid-sized contemporary kitchen/dining combo in San Francisco with blue walls, light hardwood floors and beige floor.

Tidal Mill Place

Delpino Custom Homes

Patrick Brickman
This is an example of a large country separate dining room in Charleston with blue walls, medium hardwood floors, no fireplace and brown floor.

Casseekey

Saint Pierre

Photo of a small transitional open plan dining in Other with blue walls, no fireplace and beige floor.

Holiday Traditions with a Twist - As Seen in HGTV Magazine

Kelly Rogers Interiors

Photography: Annie Schlechter for HGTV Magazine Stylist: Matthew Gleason
This is an example of a mid-sized traditional separate dining room in Boston with blue walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a tile fireplace surround and brown floor.

Bar with damask wallpaper

Joni Spear Interior Design

We added the same Romo, TRI145 TRIANON-DAMASK LAZULI wall covering to the bar to bring texture and glamour. Alise O'Brian Photography
Photo of a small traditional separate dining room in St Louis with blue walls, dark hardwood floors and brown floor.

Paulmann Lighting Lifestyle

Paulmann

Photo of a large scandinavian kitchen/dining combo in Hanover with blue walls, medium hardwood floors, no fireplace and brown floor.

Dining Room Design Ideas with Blue 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!