Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary open plan dining in Austin with white walls, concrete floors, a ribbon fireplace, a wood fireplace surround, grey floor and vaulted.

Palos Verdes Residence

Ottolia & Barnes Architecture

Design ideas for a large contemporary open plan dining with grey walls, concrete floors, a ribbon fireplace, a plaster fireplace surround and grey floor.

Corona Del Mar Duplex

d'Arcy & Associates Architecture, Inc.

Photo of a mid-sized contemporary open plan dining in Orange County with white walls, concrete floors, a ribbon fireplace, a tile fireplace surround and grey floor.

Red Rock Country Club Remodel

JKL Development Inc.

This 5687 sf home was a major renovation including significant modifications to exterior and interior structural components, walls and foundations. Included were the addition of several multi slide exterior doors, windows, new patio cover structure with master deck, climate controlled wine room, master bath steam shower, 4 new gas fireplace appliances and the center piece- a cantilever structural steel staircase with custom wood handrail and treads. A complete demo down to drywall of all areas was performed excluding only the secondary baths, game room and laundry room where only the existing cabinets were kept and refinished. Some of the interior structural and partition walls were removed. All flooring, counter tops, shower walls, shower pans and tubs were removed and replaced. New cabinets in kitchen and main bar by Mid Continent. All other cabinetry was custom fabricated and some existing cabinets refinished. Counter tops consist of Quartz, granite and marble. Flooring is porcelain tile and marble throughout. Wall surfaces are porcelain tile, natural stacked stone and custom wood throughout. All drywall surfaces are floated to smooth wall finish. Many electrical upgrades including LED recessed can lighting, LED strip lighting under cabinets and ceiling tray lighting throughout. The front and rear yard was completely re landscaped including 2 gas fire features in the rear and a built in BBQ. The pool tile and plaster was refinished including all new concrete decking.

Wing House

Studio Zerbey Architecture + Interiors

This is an example of a mid-sized modern open plan dining in Seattle with concrete floors, a ribbon fireplace, a metal fireplace surround and grey floor.

Vivienda en el centro de Málaga

Masfotogenica Fotografia

Carlos Yagüe. ©Houzz España 2018
Inspiration for an eclectic open plan dining in Malaga with white walls, concrete floors, a ribbon fireplace, a plaster fireplace surround and grey floor.

Penstemon Lane

Maggie T Fitzgerald AIA

Inspiration for a large country dining room in Denver with white walls, concrete floors, a ribbon fireplace, a metal fireplace surround and grey floor.

14312 Marine Drive White Rock

De Jager Custom Homes

This is an example of a mid-sized contemporary open plan dining in Vancouver with beige walls, concrete floors, a ribbon fireplace, a metal fireplace surround and grey floor.

Knollwood Cove

Mosier Luxury Homes

This is an example of a mid-sized midcentury open plan dining in Austin with white walls, concrete floors, a ribbon fireplace, a brick fireplace surround and beige floor.

35415 Beach Road, Capistrano Beach

Bowman Group Media

Bowman Group Architectural Photography; designed by Brandon Architects, Inc; Built by Pinnacle Custom Homes, Inc
Photo of an expansive contemporary dining room in Orange County with concrete floors, a ribbon fireplace and grey floor.

Highland Estate

EK Reedy Interiors, Inc.

Large contemporary open plan dining in Other with white walls, concrete floors, a ribbon fireplace, a plaster fireplace surround and grey floor.

The Modern Wolfden

Wolfgang Pichler Design Inc.

Photo of a mid-sized modern open plan dining in Other with white walls, concrete floors, a ribbon fireplace, a wood fireplace surround and grey floor.

Martis Camp Residence 1

John Maniscalco Architecture

This is an example of a mid-sized modern kitchen/dining combo in San Francisco with white walls, concrete floors, a ribbon fireplace, a wood fireplace surround and grey floor.

Kinkora house

GHOCHE ARCHITECTE

Photo of a large contemporary open plan dining with white walls, concrete floors, a ribbon fireplace, a concrete fireplace surround and grey floor.

Church Renovation: Bohemian Industrial Metamorphasis

The Home Co.

Marcell Puzsar, Brightroom Photography
Photo of a large industrial kitchen/dining combo in San Francisco with beige walls, concrete floors, a ribbon fireplace and a metal fireplace surround.

Dollarton

Form Collective

Janis Nicolay
Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary open plan dining in Vancouver with white walls, concrete floors, a ribbon fireplace, a concrete fireplace surround and grey floor.

Los Gatos Remodel

Vivian Soliemani Design

This open concept dining room not only is open to the kitchen and living room but also flows out to sprawling decks overlooking Silicon Valley. The weathered wood table and custom veneer millwork are juxtaposed against the sleek nature of the polished concrete floors and metal detailing on the custom fireplace.

ATTICO - DUEPIÙUNO

Tommaso Giunchi Architetti

zona tavolo pranzo Grande vetrata scorrevole sul terrazzo Sullo sfondo zona relax - spa. Tavolo Extendo, sedie wishbone di Carl Hansen, porta scorrevole in legno con sistema magic Luci: binari a soffitto di viabizzuno a led Resina Kerakoll a terra colore 06.

Eastside Modern 1

4D Architects

Michael Seidel
Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary open plan dining in Seattle with beige walls, concrete floors, a ribbon fireplace, a metal fireplace surround and grey floor.

Maiden Cove Deep Energy Renovation

Kaplan Thompson Architects

James R. Salomon Photography
Photo of a transitional open plan dining in Portland Maine with white walls, concrete floors and a ribbon fireplace.

Dining Room Design Ideas with Concrete Floors and a Ribbon Fireplace

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!