Photo of a traditional dining room in Melbourne with grey walls, dark hardwood floors and brown floor.

First impression count as you enter this custom-built Horizon Homes property at Kellyville. The home opens into a stylish entryway, with soaring double height ceilings. It’s often said that the kitchen is the heart of the home. And that’s literally true with this home. With the kitchen in the centre of the ground floor, this home provides ample formal and informal living spaces on the ground floor. At the rear of the house, a rumpus room, living room and dining room overlooking a large alfresco kitchen and dining area make this house the perfect entertainer. It’s functional, too, with a butler’s pantry, and laundry (with outdoor access) leading off the kitchen. There’s also a mudroom – with bespoke joinery – next to the garage. Upstairs is a mezzanine office area and four bedrooms, including a luxurious main suite with dressing room, ensuite and private balcony. Outdoor areas were important to the owners of this knockdown rebuild. While the house is large at almost 454m2, it fills only half the block. That means there’s a generous backyard. A central courtyard provides further outdoor space. Of course, this courtyard – as well as being a gorgeous focal point – has the added advantage of bringing light into the centre of the house.

Transitional Dining Room

Transitional dining room in Sydney with white walls, dark hardwood floors and brown floor.

Purple Accent Design

Freestyle Interiors

Photo of a large contemporary dining room in Miami with beige walls, dark hardwood floors, no fireplace and brown floor.

Transitional Interior Design in Aldie, VA

2 Navy Lane, LLC

This is an example of a mid-sized transitional kitchen/dining combo in DC Metro with brown walls, dark hardwood floors, no fireplace, brown floor, recessed and wallpaper.

Salem Townhouse Dining Room

Rehabitat

Inspiration for a transitional separate dining room in New York with green walls, dark hardwood floors and brown floor.

Brooklyn Heights Tailored Modern

The Brooklyn Studio

Photography by Richard Powers, with styling by Anita Sarsidi
Design ideas for a mid-sized transitional dining room in New York with dark hardwood floors, brown floor, white walls and no fireplace.

Peachtree Corners Residence

Regas Interiors

Woodie Williams
Photo of a large transitional separate dining room in Atlanta with grey walls, dark hardwood floors, no fireplace and brown floor.

Transitional NJ Dining Room

Leedy Interiors

Paul S. Bartholomew
Transitional dining room in New York with blue walls, dark hardwood floors and brown floor.

Homewood Residence

Bureau Namas

Inspiration for a large traditional dining room in Los Angeles with grey walls, dark hardwood floors, brown floor and recessed.

Rooms-Interiors

Chris Sandlin Homes

Custom Home in Dallas (Midway Hollow), Dallas
Large transitional separate dining room in Dallas with grey walls, brown floor, recessed, panelled walls and dark hardwood floors.

Historical Home, Modern Family

Georgia Zikas Design

Open plan, spacious living. Honoring 1920’s architecture with a collected look.
Transitional open plan dining in Other with dark hardwood floors, brown floor, grey walls and decorative wall panelling.

Greenwich Waterfront Shingle

VanderHorn Architects

This Dining Room continues the coastal aesthetic of the home with paneled walls and a projecting rectangular bay with access to the outdoor entertainment spaces beyond.

Coastal Lake Home Remodel

Bartelt. The Remodeling Resource

Photo Credit - David Bader
This is an example of a beach style kitchen/dining combo in Milwaukee with beige walls, dark hardwood floors, no fireplace and brown floor.

Woodmere Drive

Jamie Keskin Design

Traditional separate dining room in Boston with grey walls, dark hardwood floors and brown floor.

November 2015 Kitchen Bench Seating and Storage

AWM Carpentry LLC

Maple Built-in Banquet Seating with Storage
Inspiration for a mid-sized traditional kitchen/dining combo in Other with beige walls, dark hardwood floors and brown floor.

Salle à manger et accès à la chambre.

Eraiki.studio

La salle à manger est située à proximité de l'espace principal du salon, offrant ainsi un emplacement central et convivial pour les repas et les réunions. L'aménagement de la salle à manger est soigneusement intégré dans le concept global de l'espace ouvert, créant une transition fluide entre les différentes zones de vie. Des éléments de mobilier spécialement sélectionnés, tels qu'une table à manger élégante et des chaises confortables, définissent l'espace de la salle à manger. Les matériaux et les couleurs choisis sont en harmonie avec le reste de la décoration, contribuant à une esthétique cohérente et agréable à vivre.

Glenroy

D.L. Rhein

Photo of a beach style dining room in Los Angeles with white walls, dark hardwood floors and brown floor.

New Farmhouse - Dining Room

DeBaker Design Group, Ltd.

Beautiful Dining Room with wainscot paneling, dry bar, and larder with pocketing doors.
Inspiration for a large country separate dining room in Chicago with green walls, dark hardwood floors, no fireplace, brown floor and decorative wall panelling.

Historical Home, Modern Family

Georgia Zikas Design

Open plan, spacious living. Honoring 1920’s architecture with a collected look.
Design ideas for a midcentury open plan dining in Other with beige walls, dark hardwood floors and brown floor.

Dining Room Design Ideas with Dark Hardwood Floors and Brown Floor

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!