Photography by Jeff Garland
Expansive contemporary open plan dining in Detroit with blue walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and brown floor.

Myrtle House

Regarding Design

Built in the iconic neighborhood of Mount Curve, just blocks from the lakes, Walker Art Museum, and restaurants, this is city living at its best. Myrtle House is a design-build collaboration with Hage Homes and Regarding Design with expertise in Southern-inspired architecture and gracious interiors. With a charming Tudor exterior and modern interior layout, this house is perfect for all ages. Rooted in the architecture of the past with a clean and contemporary influence, Myrtle House bridges the gap between stunning historic detailing and modern living. A sense of charm and character is created through understated and honest details, with scale and proportion being paramount to the overall effect. Classical elements are featured throughout the home, including wood paneling, crown molding, cabinet built-ins, and cozy window seating, creating an ambiance steeped in tradition. While the kitchen and family room blend together in an open space for entertaining and family time, there are also enclosed spaces designed with intentional use in mind.

Rye, New York

Kathleen Walsh Interiors, LLC

Traditional dining room in New York with blue walls and a standard fireplace.

North London Victorian Home

Balance Design

This Victorian dining room was sympathetically renovated to sit well within its era, yet have a modern and midcentury edge. Contemporary pieces bring it right into the 21st century.

Abernathy Drive

TEW Design Studio

A beautiful open plan allows for a nice entertaining space that is still cozy and bright. Photo credit: Bob Fortner Photography
Mid-sized traditional kitchen/dining combo in Raleigh with blue walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and a stone fireplace surround.

European Neo-Classicism

O&A Design

Inspiration for a transitional dining room in London with blue walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and black floor.

Mason-Grabell Residence

Arielle C. Schechter, AIA

The little cocktail bar was built in next to the fireplace. It has open shelving above to allow light and air through. The custom cabinets are flat front flush walnut veneer. This cabinet has room for glassware, barware and extra supplies as needed for the dining room adjacent to it.

Sophisticated Stately Remodel

Penza Bailey Architects

Photo by Whitney Wasson
Design ideas for a traditional dining room in Baltimore with blue walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and brown floor.

West End Maximalism | Design and Build

Nistenhaus Design LLC

Inspiration for a large eclectic separate dining room in St Louis with blue walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a tile fireplace surround, brown floor, coffered and wallpaper.

White & Bright

Annette Jaffe Interiors

Our Long Island studio designed this stunning home with bright neutrals and classic pops to create a warm, welcoming home with modern amenities. In the kitchen, we chose a blue and white theme and added leather high chairs to give it a classy appeal. Sleek pendants add a hint of elegance. In the dining room, comfortable chairs with chequered upholstery create a statement. We added a touch of drama by painting the ceiling a deep aubergine. AJI also added a sitting space with a comfortable couch and chairs to bridge the kitchen and the main living space. The family room was designed to create maximum space for get-togethers with a comfy sectional and stylish swivel chairs. The unique wall decor creates interesting pops of color. In the master suite upstairs, we added walk-in closets and a twelve-foot-long window seat. The exquisite en-suite bathroom features a stunning freestanding tub for relaxing after a long day. --- Project designed by Long Island interior design studio Annette Jaffe Interiors. They serve Long Island including the Hamptons, as well as NYC, the tri-state area, and Boca Raton, FL. For more about Annette Jaffe Interiors, click here: https://annettejaffeinteriors.com/ To learn more about this project, click here: https://annettejaffeinteriors.com/residential-portfolio/long-island-renovation/

Dining Room Renovation & Built-in Dry Bar

VMAX LLC

Photography Anna Zagorodna
Design ideas for a small midcentury separate dining room in Richmond with blue walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a tile fireplace surround and brown floor.

Campbells Bay

Masonry Design Solutions Ltd

Intense Photography
Inspiration for a beach style kitchen/dining combo in Auckland with blue walls, medium hardwood floors and a standard fireplace.

Hancock Bungalow

Jeanne Schultz Design Studio

Farrow and Ball Hague Blue walls, trim, and ceiling. Versace Home bird wallpaper complements Farrow and Ball Hague blue accents and pink and red furniture. Grand wood beaded chandelier plays on traditional baroque design in a modern way. Old painted windows match the trim, wainscoting and walls. Existing round dining table surrounded by spray painted Carnival red dining room chairs which match the custom curtain rods in living room. Plastered ram sculpture as playful object on floor balances scale and interesting interactive piece for the child of the house.

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.

NE Portland Interior 2

Mr. Painter PDX LLC

Freshly painted living and dining rooms using Sherwin Williams Paint. Color "Ice Cube" SW 6252.
Photo of a small midcentury separate dining room in Portland with blue walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a tile fireplace surround and brown floor.

Pineleigh - Family Friendly Design

Visbeen Architects

Photographer: Chuck Heiney Crossing the threshold, you know this is the home you’ve always dreamed of. At home in any neighborhood, Pineleigh’s architectural style and family-focused floor plan offers timeless charm yet is geared toward today’s relaxed lifestyle. Full of light, warmth and thoughtful details that make a house a home, Pineleigh enchants from the custom entryway that includes a mahogany door, columns and a peaked roof. Two outdoor porches to the home’s left side offer plenty of spaces to enjoy outdoor living, making this cedar-shake-covered design perfect for a waterfront or woodsy lot. Inside, more than 2,000 square feet await on the main level. The family cook is never isolated in the spacious central kitchen, which is located on the back of the house behind the large, 17 by 30-foot living room and 12 by 18 formal dining room which functions for both formal and casual occasions and is adjacent to the charming screened-in porch and outdoor patio. Distinctive details include a large foyer, a private den/office with built-ins and all of the extras a family needs – an eating banquette in the kitchen as well as a walk-in pantry, first-floor laundry, cleaning closet and a mud room near the 1,000square foot garage stocked with built-in lockers and a three-foot bench. Upstairs is another covered deck and a dreamy 18 by 13-foot master bedroom/bath suite with deck access for enjoying morning coffee or late-night stargazing. Three additional bedrooms and a bath accommodate a growing family, as does the 1,700-square foot lower level, where an additional bar/kitchen with counter, a billiards space and an additional guest bedroom, exercise space and two baths complete the extensive offerings.

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.

Ocean Bank

Made To Last Custom Homes Ltd.

Ocean Bank is a contemporary style oceanfront home located in Chemainus, BC. We broke ground on this home in March 2021. Situated on a sloped lot, Ocean Bank includes 3,086 sq.ft. of finished space over two floors. The main floor features 11′ ceilings throughout. However, the ceiling vaults to 16′ in the Great Room. Large doors and windows take in the amazing ocean view. The Kitchen in this custom home is truly a beautiful work of art. The 10′ island is topped with beautiful marble from Vancouver Island. A panel fridge and matching freezer, a large butler’s pantry, and Wolf range are other desirable features of this Kitchen. Also on the main floor, the double-sided gas fireplace that separates the Living and Dining Rooms is lined with gorgeous tile slabs. The glass and steel stairwell railings were custom made on site.

Surrey Mansion

Stephenson Wright Ltd

Photo of a traditional separate dining room in Surrey with blue walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and decorative wall panelling.

Traditional Dining Room for Country Manor House- Hertfordshire

LT Designs

Large traditional separate dining room in Surrey with blue walls, terra-cotta floors, a standard fireplace and a stone fireplace surround.

All Fireplaces 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!