26 Cottonwood Circle, Breckenridge, Dining

Marie-Dominique Verdier
Large country open plan dining in Denver with a stone fireplace surround, brown walls, dark hardwood floors and a corner fireplace.

Resort Penthouse - Multi Residential Development

alsoCAN Architects

Circular cut out bluestone aquarium, blown glass pendant lights, Spotted Gum lined walls, white polished concrete floor, inbuilt furniture. Real Estate Agent's photo.

Top Honors & Award Winners from Pineapple House - ASID Design Excellence Winners

Pineapple House Interior Design

In this renovation project, in addition to the interior design, we developed the interior architecture and managed the construction process. We changed entrances, altered ceilings, moved walls and determined all interior materials and patterns. Our goal was to replace the dated, “cookie-cutter,” builder-grade condo with the charming architecture of a beach cottage. Aubry Reel Photography

Formal Dining, Traditional Home

Videre Decor

The formal dining room with floor to ceiling drapery panels at an open entrance allows for the room to be closed off if needed. Exposed brick from the original home mixed with the Homeowner's collection of antiques and a new china hutch which serves as a buffet mix for this traditional dining area.

Revere Windows

Wonderful Windows and Siding

This rustic kitchen belongs in any home that strives to have a cottage feel! The Revere window provides a wonderful view,space and natural light to flow in, all while protecting you and your home from harmful UV rays. The cherry wooden chairs complement the rustic table very well with the cherry touch and woven seats. This room would serve as a perfect breakfast room with the bright and happy floral arrangements and Revere windows.

Baynard Cove House on Calibogue Sound

William Byrd Homes

Design ideas for a large beach style kitchen/dining combo in Charleston with brown walls, medium hardwood floors, no fireplace and brown floor.

Casually Elegant Dining Rooms

Urso Designs

This casually elegant dining room is both sophisticated and comfortable. The stunning paintings are by Michigan artist Linda Ross. The French doors open onto a large deck overlooking a tree-filled vista. To the right is a wet bar leading into a large kitchen.

Vermont Cabin Escape

Vandamm Interiors

Vandamm Interiors by Victoria Vandamm
Mid-sized arts and crafts open plan dining in New York with brown walls, medium hardwood floors, no fireplace and beige floor.

Family Cabins Retreat

MossCreek

This MossCreek custom designed family retreat features several historically authentic and preserved log cabins that were used as the basis for the design of several individual homes. MossCreek worked closely with the client to develop unique new structures with period-correct details from a remarkable collection of antique homes, all of which were disassembled, moved, and then reassembled at the project site. This project is an excellent example of MossCreek's ability to incorporate the past in to a new home for the ages. Photo by Erwin Loveland

Ledger Hill

Sew Beautiful

We dressed their indoor space with light and sheer fabrics to provide privacy in each room without sparing any of the view. In the master bath and kitchen, Hunter Douglas Nantucket™ Sheer Shades with PowerView not only complement the airy space, but also offer easy privacy with just the push of a button. Roman Shade valances and panels are elegant touches that raise the eye to the full height of each window and frame the view.

Ascot Vale House

Taylor Knights

Derek Swalwell
Mid-sized contemporary kitchen/dining combo in Melbourne with concrete floors, grey floor and brown walls.

Midcentury Kling Residence Renovation

k YODER design, LLC

The wood structure was restored to a uniform dark walnut finish, reinstating Kling's intended connection between indoor and outdoor spaces. This view from the dining room shows the designated, yet open layout between the dining room and living room. © Jeffrey Totaro, photographer

Masonite Interior Doors

EL & EL Wood Products Corp.

A dining room at dusk decorated by Pine baseboard and case moulding and a Masonite® | Knotty Pine | 2 Panel Arch Top V-Groove Interior Door
Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary separate dining room in Los Angeles with brown walls, medium hardwood floors and brown floor.

A Designer's Dream Home

RLH Studio

Steve Henke
Photo of a mid-sized traditional separate dining room in Minneapolis with brown walls and light hardwood floors.

Moderne

Volumes Architectures

Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary separate dining room in Lyon with brown walls and medium hardwood floors.

Weber Folly - Linville, NC

Dianne Davant and Associates

David Ramsey
Photo of an expansive country open plan dining in Charlotte with brown walls, slate floors, no fireplace and grey floor.

Dark and Moody Dining Room

Fiona Bateman Interiors

Our client wanted us to create a cosy and atmospheric dining experience, so we embraced the north facing room and painted it top to bottom in a deep, warm brown from Little Greene. To help lift the room and create a conversation starter, we chose a sketched cloud wallpaper for the ceiling. Full length curtains, recessed into the ceiling help to make the room feel bigger and are up-lit by ground lights that emphasise the folds in the fabric. The sculptural dining table from Emmemobili takes centre stage and is surrounded by comfortable upholstered dining chairs. We chose two fabrics for the dining chairs to add interest. The ochre velvet pairs beautifully with the yellow glass Porta Romana lamps and brushed brass over-sized round mirror.

Gstaad

Thierry Lemaire interior & design

Large contemporary open plan dining in Paris with brown walls and medium hardwood floors.

The New Southern

Pineapple House Interior Design

In the terrace level, Pineapple House designers maximize light by removing the staircase wall, kitchen wall and theater wall. They add a bar/island in the kitchen once the wall is gone, and make a backsplash with a 2 way mirror. The homeowners entertain often, so the designers established comfortable indoor/outdoor seated dining areas that would accommodate forty eight guests. A Bonisolli Photography

VILLA WA

Laurent Guillaud-Lozanne Architecte DPLG

This is an example of a large contemporary open plan dining in Lyon with brown walls.

Dining Room Design Ideas with Brown 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!