Coffered ceiling and custom-built, interior-lit china cabinets with leaded glass doors and glass shelving. Deep archway and custom shelving connecting to foyer. Fireplace with polished Lavarita layered slab with ogee edges.

Classic Shingle Style House

Barnes Vanze Architects, Inc.

Anice Hoachlander from Hoachlander Davis Photography, LLC Principal Architect: Anthony "Ankie" Barnes, AIA, LEED AP Project Architect: William Wheeler, AIA

Mixing It Up in a Manakin Sabot Dining Room

Kathy Corbet Interiors

John Magor Photography. This family was interested in a super formal dining room. We chose a round table to fill the space and dark moss green walls for a cozy, earthy feel. The dining chairs all all different to add fun and whimsy to the space. The elegant roman shades have a nail head trim detail for a masculine touch.

Phase2 Builders - SOMA Loft, San Francisco

Christopher Stark Photography

© Christopher Stark http://www.phase2builders.com/
This is an example of a contemporary dining room in San Francisco with brown walls and dark hardwood floors.

Color Pop

ReStyle Group Interiors

Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary dining room in Phoenix with green walls and porcelain floors.

Dandelion House by Jennifer Ott Design

Loop Design

Remodel of a two-story residence in the heart of South Austin. The entire first floor was opened up and the kitchen enlarged and upgraded to meet the demands of the homeowners who love to cook and entertain. The upstairs master bathroom was also completely renovated and features a large, luxurious walk-in shower. Jennifer Ott Design • http://jenottdesign.com/ Photography by Atelier Wong

Rustic Dining Room

This is an example of a country dining room in Burlington with green walls.

Chattanooga Home Updated

The Green Room Interiors

This dining room update was part of an ongoing project with the main goal of updating the 1990's spaces while creating a comfortable, sophisticated design aesthetic. New pieces were incorporated with existing family heirlooms.

N Edgewood St Kitchen

Jordan Design-Build Group

We removed a wall between the old kitchen and an adjacent and underutilized sunroom. By expanding the kitchen and opening it up to the dining room, we improved circulation and made this house a more welcoming place to to entertain friends and family. Photos: Jenn Verrier Photography

A Small Green Home

User

This tiny dining area would only have had seating for two if it included a standard table and allowed enough space in the dining area for people to walk back and forth from the living room to the kitchen. Using a custom triangular table with matching benches created seating for four and preserved enough space for the pass through. The room also features non-toxic, no-VOC paint, and the leather is Greenguard certified for low toxic emissions. Photo by Robin Stancliff

Elbow Valley Estate

Brenda Motter Interiors LTD

This is an example of a large transitional separate dining room in Calgary with brown walls, medium hardwood floors, brown floor, coffered and wallpaper.

Buckinghamshire Renovation

Decorbuddi

Photo of a traditional dining room in London with green walls and beige floor.

Libertyville Custom Farmhouse Dining Room Breakfast Bar

Great Rooms Building Group

Large country separate dining room in Chicago with green walls, medium hardwood floors and brown floor.

Modern English Country Style

Nathan Taylor for Obelisk Home

Photo of a mid-sized traditional dining room in Other with green walls and dark hardwood floors.

Oak Pass Main House

Walker Workshop

Inspiration for a modern dining room in Los Angeles with brown walls, a two-sided fireplace, a brick fireplace surround and black floor.

Historic 200 Year-Old Renovation

Hallmark Building Group, Inc.

Photo of a country separate dining room in Nashville with brown walls and medium hardwood floors.

Furniture

Odyssey Woodworks

Inspiration for a mid-sized country kitchen/dining combo in Charleston with brown walls, porcelain floors, no fireplace and beige floor.

Tapawingo Lake Camp

Pearson Design Group

Country dining room in Other with brown walls, a standard fireplace and a stone fireplace surround.

Dining Room

Dream Coast Builders

This is an example of a small separate dining room in Tampa with green walls, light hardwood floors, no fireplace, brown floor and timber.

elder

Inspiration for a large traditional dining room in Melbourne with green walls, carpet, a standard fireplace and a stone fireplace surround.

Dining Room Design Ideas with Brown Walls and Green 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!