Inspiration for a contemporary dining room in Sydney with white walls, plywood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and brown floor.

Willoughby Residence

Studio Noema

Inspiration for a modern dining room in Sydney with white walls, medium hardwood floors, brown floor and wallpaper.

HAMPTONS IN HENLEY BEACH

Claridge Construction

Photo of a contemporary open plan dining in Adelaide with white walls, medium hardwood floors and brown floor.

Newport Home

Joanne Green Landscape & Interior

Joanne Green Landscape and Interior transformed a dated interior into a relaxed and fresh apartment that embraces the sunlit marine setting of Sydney's Barrenjoey peninsula. The client's brief was to create a layered aesthetic that captures the property's expansive view and amplifies the flow between the interior and exterior spaces. The project included updates to three bedrooms, an ensuite, a bathroom, a kitchen with a butler's pantry, a study nook, a dedicated laundry, and a generous dining and living area. By using thoughtful interior design, the finished space presents a unique, comfortable, and contemporary atmosphere to the waterfront home.

The White House

Atelier Bond

A complete new build in Adelaide's east, it stands strong with nods to contemporary barn influences.⁠
Photo of a mid-sized transitional kitchen/dining combo in Adelaide with white walls, medium hardwood floors, no fireplace and brown floor.

Carlton North Art House

Camilla Molders Design

A residential interior design project by Camilla Molders Design.
This is an example of a mid-sized contemporary open plan dining in Melbourne with white walls, medium hardwood floors and brown floor.

Rosanna

DSdezines Interiors

Design ideas for a mid-sized contemporary dining room in Melbourne with white walls, laminate floors, brown floor, recessed and panelled walls.

Ormond New Contemporary Residence

Sketch Building Design

Photographer: Natalie Jeffcott
Design ideas for a contemporary open plan dining in Melbourne with white walls, medium hardwood floors and brown floor.

Temple of Sage

Hunt & Design

Custom Designed Banquette seating with a view.
Inspiration for a beach style dining room in Sydney with white walls, medium hardwood floors and brown floor.

Weerona House

Demardi.

Photo of a modern open plan dining in Melbourne with white walls, medium hardwood floors, brown floor and exposed beam.

Curtains, Blinds, & Shutters

Belle Casa Interiors

Inspiration for a beach style dining room in Gold Coast - Tweed with white walls, medium hardwood floors and brown floor.

Rymill (15)

Fusion Property Developments

Inspiration for a contemporary dining room with white walls, medium hardwood floors and brown floor.

Grange House

Shane Marsh Architects

Photo of a mid-sized midcentury open plan dining in Brisbane with white walls, light hardwood floors, brown floor, timber and brick walls.

Pavilion House

Sheri Haby Architects

Mid-sized contemporary open plan dining in Melbourne with medium hardwood floors, white walls and brown floor.

Darlinghurst Terrace

Emma Blomfield

Custom made banquette dining bench in jaguar navy spot print.
Photo of a transitional dining room in Sydney with white walls, medium hardwood floors and brown floor.

MODERN GLAMOUR

MASSIMO interiors

Our Toorak project is a unified vision, the result of seamless collaboration between clients and designers. Moving away from their previous traditional style home, the homeowners desired a more contemporary look with unexpected pieces. Massimo Interiors offered a spacious feel suitable for hosting large gatherings of family and friends, where the comfortable space allows children to play and people to sit, eat and move around. Care was taken when selecting durable fabrics in order to establish a child-friendly yet sophisticated space. The European oak floorboards offset the predominantly monochromatic colour scheme, creating a light and elegant interior, complemented with the occasional classic piece. The main living area features an extra large floor rug that unifies separate seating areas for different activities. To create balance and drama, Massimo Interiors arranged two large sofas facing each other, separated by two luxurious ottomans. Near the fireplace lies a second seating area designed for reading or relaxing by the warm glow of the fire. The rich layering of different materials such as polished timber, stainless steel, marble, glass, and velvet provided contrast with the pared-back kitchen and dining areas. Accent colour, such as the aubergine fabric of the cut-velvet Louis XV French Bergere lounge chair, complements the colours of the Australian artworks, echoed in the choice of scatter cushions. The dining room boasts two oversized pendant light fittings link to the pattern on the living room ottomans. To add a touch of old-world charm, a striking portrait completes the clean and crisp space. In the master bedroom, a palette of pale gold, burnt orange, turquoise and green inspires the scatter cushions, tying the room together. Hand-blown amber glass table lamps with linen shades, establish an intimate, warm appeal. Every detail, every object and every decoration – from the fabric to the wall colour to the artworks has been curated in details.

Lake Macquarie

ADRY Design

Design ideas for a beach style dining room in Sydney with white walls, medium hardwood floors and brown floor.

Yarrawarrah Private Residence

Michelle Viret Design

Photo of a mid-sized contemporary kitchen/dining combo in Sydney with white walls, light hardwood floors, a two-sided fireplace, a tile fireplace surround and brown floor.

Transitional Dining Room

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

East Toowoomba Cottage

Ivy + Piper Pty Ltd

This is an example of a country dining room in Brisbane with white walls, medium hardwood floors, brown floor and planked wall panelling.

Dining Room Design Ideas with White Walls 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!