Photo of a transitional dining room in Hertfordshire with blue walls, light hardwood floors and a standard fireplace.

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.

West Village Residence

DesignbyRuchi

We love this dining room. The bench and 2 chairs add enough seating for friends to scooch in and lounge. The round table and its beauitful cane base and travetine stone top anchored by blush ceramic chandelier above look beutiful. The bowl of fruits with Lychee and peach adds a textural layer. The blue ocean art set in custom modern floating frames bring it all together.

Classic New Construction

Castle Design

Alise O'Brien Photography
Inspiration for a traditional dining room in St Louis with blue walls, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and grey floor.

Philbrick Street

HM Collins Photography

HM Collins Photography
This is an example of a country dining room in Boston with blue walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and brown floor.

Built-in Dry Bar

VMAX LLC

Photography Anna Zagorodna
Inspiration 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.

Greenwich Project

Looks Lovely Limited

Inspiration for a contemporary open plan dining in London with blue walls, a wood stove, a metal fireplace surround and grey floor.

French Country Estate

VanderHorn Architects

Photo of a kitchen/dining combo in New York with blue walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and a stone fireplace surround.

Fullerton Family Home

Breeze Giannasio Interiors

Fireplace design and materials by Benedict August.
Inspiration for a mid-sized eclectic open plan dining in Los Angeles with blue walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a tile fireplace surround and brown floor.

Briarwood Lane

J Wilson Fuqua & Associates Architects

Large traditional separate dining room in Dallas with blue walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a plaster fireplace surround and brown floor.

Traditional Dining Room

Traditional dining room in DC Metro with blue walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and a stone fireplace surround.

Pacific Heights Victorian

Cook Construction

This four-story Victorian revival was amazing to see unfold; from replacing the foundation, building out the 1st floor, hoisting structural steel into place, and upgrading to in-floor radiant heat. This gorgeous “Old Lady” got all the bells and whistles. This quintessential Victorian presented itself with all the complications imaginable when bringing an early 1900’s home back to life. Our favorite task? The Custom woodwork: hand carving and installing over 200 florets to match historical home details. Anyone would be hard-pressed to see the transitions from existing to new, but we invite you to come and try for yourselves!

Rockford Park Residence

Archer & Buchanan Architecture, Ltd.

Jim Graham Photography
Mid-sized separate dining room in Philadelphia with blue walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and a stone fireplace surround.

Aqua Dining Room

Alexandra Rae Design

Alexandra Rae Interior Design; Kent Wilson Photography
This is an example of a mid-sized traditional separate dining room in Los Angeles with blue walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and a wood fireplace surround.

Nash Terraced Family House in Regent's Park

Adam Butler Photography

A Nash terraced house in Regent's Park, London. Interior design by Gaye Gardner. Photography by Adam Butler
Photo of a large traditional dining room in London with blue walls, carpet, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and purple floor.

RHOC Interior Design, Kitchen & Gardens | Coto de Caza, CA

Leanne Michael L U X E lifestyle design

Most think the wall treatment is paper however it is actually a painted mural inspired by a small swatch of antique Fortuny silk fabric that the artists and I needed to imagine perhaps the full repeat could have been. This mural is absolutely one-of-a-kind and finished with a linen texture.

Waterdown Transitional

Design Inspirations Inc.

Our clients already owned their dining room furniture and the rugs in the dining, living and foyer areas as well as the Grandfather clock. We completed the rooms by blending in more transitional furnishings, lighting and window coverings to add updated appeal. We had the home owner paint the grandfather clock black and had the handrail of the stairs painted black as well as adding anchor points of black around the rooms. We chose the wall colours from the lovely blue accents in the area rugs and carried the colour palette through the rest of the home's kitchen and main areas. Photography by Kelly Horkoff of KWest Images

Lincoln Square Modern

Carla 1 Design

Photo of a mid-sized contemporary dining room in Chicago with blue walls, light hardwood floors, a ribbon fireplace and a tile fireplace surround.

A Sea Captain's House

Phoebe Howard

Photo of a large beach style open plan dining in Jacksonville with blue walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and a wood fireplace surround.

A Classic CT Home with a Modern Flair

Rinfret, Ltd.

Interior Design by Cindy Rinfret, principal designer of Rinfret, Ltd. Interior Design & Decoration www.rinfretltd.com Photos by Michael Partenio and styling by Stacy Kunstel

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!