Dining Room / 3-Season Porch
This is an example of a mid-sized country open plan dining in Portland Maine with brown walls, medium hardwood floors, a two-sided fireplace, a concrete fireplace surround and grey floor.

Wise Court

MacMillan-Pace, LLC

Design ideas for a mid-sized traditional separate dining room in Other with brown walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a concrete fireplace surround and brown floor.

Hillside MCM Residence

Studio Bergtraun AIA

Treve Johnson
Design ideas for a mid-sized midcentury open plan dining in San Francisco with brown walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a concrete fireplace surround and brown floor.

Artisan Craft Homes New Headquarters and Home

Artisan Craft Homes

Artisan Craft Homes
Inspiration for a mid-sized country open plan dining in Grand Rapids with brown walls, vinyl floors, a standard fireplace, a concrete fireplace surround and brown floor.

The Wolf House

Wolf Architects

Wolf House is a contemporary home designed for flexible, easy living for a young family of 5. The spaces have multi use and the large home has a connection through its void space allowing all family members to be in touch with each other. The home boasts excellent energy efficiency and a clear view of the sky from every single room in the house.

Lomax Home

Blue Horse Woodworks

Keeping room, with Sinker Cypress walls and beams.
This is an example of a large traditional separate dining room in Other with brown walls, brick floors, a standard fireplace and a concrete fireplace surround.

SPC FLOORING

EFLOOR

This is an example of a mid-sized asian open plan dining in Other with brown walls, vinyl floors, no fireplace, a concrete fireplace surround, brown floor and wallpaper.

stile classico in una casa anni 70

Francesco Antoniazza

Large traditional open plan dining in Other with brown walls, a standard fireplace and a concrete fireplace surround.

Дизайн столовой с камином – идеи дизайна коттеджа

Art-i-Chok

This is an example of a mid-sized contemporary open plan dining in Other with brown walls, marble floors, a ribbon fireplace, a concrete fireplace surround and white floor.

Kentfield Home

Mahoney Architects & Interiors

not known
This is an example of a contemporary dining room in San Francisco with brown walls, a concrete fireplace surround and grey floor.

ブルーグレーのモダンログハウス

株式会社 TALOインターナショナル

Design ideas for an asian open plan dining with brown walls, medium hardwood floors, a corner fireplace, a concrete fireplace surround and brown floor.

Fireplaces by Green Goods

Green Goods

This two sided fireplace creates an open floor plan for this family home, connecting the kitchen and living room. The FSC wood wall coverings add an organic feel to the industrial polished concrete floor and minimal fireplace with built in seating. Designed and built by Green Goods in San Luis Obispo, CA.

Residential Interior Projects

D Maurer Contracting

Large transitional separate dining room in New York with brown walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a concrete fireplace surround and brown floor.

Trinity Bar, Surry Hills - upstairs refurbishment painting

Ol’Painting - MPA Multi-Award Winner

Trinity Bar - upstair bar area
Photo of a mid-sized modern separate dining room in Sydney with brown walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a concrete fireplace surround and brown floor.

Hillside MCM Residence

Studio Bergtraun AIA

Treve Johnson
Design ideas for a mid-sized midcentury kitchen/dining combo in San Francisco with brown walls, dark hardwood floors, a concrete fireplace surround and brown floor.

Hillside MCM Residence

Studio Bergtraun AIA

Treve Johnson
Design ideas for a mid-sized midcentury open plan dining in San Francisco with brown walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a concrete fireplace surround and brown floor.

Dining Room Design Ideas with Brown Walls and a Concrete Fireplace Surround

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!