Transitional dining room in Columbus with grey walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and a brick fireplace surround.

Broome St Loft Soho New York

Peter Dressel Photography

Peter Dressel Photography Cristina Dos Santos Interior Design
Design ideas for a contemporary dining room in New York with white walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and a brick fireplace surround.

East Nashville | Contemporary Craftsman

design by Christina Perry

A contemporary craftsman East Nashville eat-in kitchen featuring a dining room with a black, linear chandelier. Interior Designer & Photography: design by Christina Perry design by Christina Perry | Interior Design Nashville, TN 37214

Updated Walls

R&J Painting LLC

Prepared Painted the Walls, Baseboard, Wainscot, Posts and Window Frames Wall Color In: Benjamin Moore Pale Oak OC-20 Accent Wall Color in: Benjamin Moore Wrought Iron 2124-10

Home Styling

A Design Art & House

Design ideas for a separate dining room in New York with beige walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace surround and brown floor.

Emerson Dining

328 Design Group

Chayce Lanphear
Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary open plan dining in Denver with dark hardwood floors, grey walls, a standard fireplace and a brick fireplace surround.

Whole House Renovation in Historic Capitol Hill

Finesse Design Remodeling

This award-winning whole house renovation of a circa 1875 single family home in the historic Capitol Hill neighborhood of Washington DC provides the client with an open and more functional layout without requiring an addition. After major structural repairs and creating one uniform floor level and ceiling height, we were able to make a truly open concept main living level, achieving the main goal of the client. The large kitchen was designed for two busy home cooks who like to entertain, complete with a built-in mud bench. The water heater and air handler are hidden inside full height cabinetry. A new gas fireplace clad with reclaimed vintage bricks graces the dining room. A new hand-built staircase harkens to the home's historic past. The laundry was relocated to the second floor vestibule. The three upstairs bathrooms were fully updated as well. Final touches include new hardwood floor and color scheme throughout the home.

Custom Residence

Zoltan Construction LLC

Zoltan Construction, Roger Wade Photography
This is an example of an expansive traditional kitchen/dining combo in Orlando with multi-coloured walls, dark hardwood floors and a brick fireplace surround.

Residence No. 102

S T U D I O 8 Architect

A Young Couple's Expanding Footprint When my clients realized their new baby was going to require new space they didn't have to move very far. Three floors up they found a tastefully renovated 3 bedroom in their Art Deco Gramercy building. The apartment came complete with a timeless Henrybuilt kitchen, but the bathrooms needed a bit of work. They also needed a lot more furniture to fit the space that wouldn't make it look like a preschool. An eclectic mix of furniture was selected by my client, myself and an additional designer. An Art Deco steel door by Erik Anderson From Gunnard Design and Art Deco furniture took their cues from the building. Mid Century reproductions are mixed with modern designs from BluDot, and the Dulwich Extendable Table from Design Within Reach. Their Master Bedroom Suite was turned into a Hotel Suite.

Turkey Hill - Westport, CT

Vita Design Group

Photo of a large transitional kitchen/dining combo in New York with grey walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace surround and brown floor.

South Street, Grafton MA

KO Homes and Design

This is an example of a traditional kitchen/dining combo in Boston with beige walls, dark hardwood floors and a brick fireplace surround.

A Diamond on the Bay

Casabella Interiors

Inspiration for a mid-sized beach style separate dining room in Boston with white walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace surround and brown floor.

Rustic Farmhouse Dining Room

Raymour & Flanigan Furniture and Mattresses

The Colebrook 7-piece dining set embodies casual design at its finest. The plank tabletop and rustic oak finish have a country chic look that's enhanced by the bowed, spindle-back chair design. Plus, the two extension leaves make it easy to accommodate guests or large family dinners.

Lake Michigan 70's Modern Renovation

Cannarsa Structure and Design

Inspiration for a modern kitchen/dining combo with white walls, dark hardwood floors, brown floor, vaulted, a standard fireplace and a brick fireplace surround.

Bayou St. John Single Family Renovation

Adamick Architecture

Photo of a mid-sized traditional separate dining room in New Orleans with white walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and a brick fireplace surround.

Avondale Estates

Walter Studio Interior Design

Photography: Rustic White
Inspiration for a large transitional dining room in Atlanta with white walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace surround, brown floor, wood and wood walls.

Old Locke Renovation

Fiorentino Group Architects

Rob Karosis
This is an example of a mid-sized traditional kitchen/dining combo in Boston with grey walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace surround and brown floor.

Private Wohnung / Private apartment

Ulrich Weinkath create + design

Inspiration for an expansive contemporary kitchen/dining combo in Hamburg with dark hardwood floors, white walls, no fireplace, a brick fireplace surround and brown floor.

Italian Village Rowhouse (Home Staging)

Spencer Design Associates

Design ideas for a mid-sized eclectic kitchen/dining combo in Minneapolis with grey walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and a brick fireplace surround.

Traditional Painted Brick Two Story

Wyrick Residential Design

This is an example of a mid-sized traditional kitchen/dining combo in Houston with grey walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace surround, brown floor and timber.

Dining Room Design Ideas with Dark Hardwood Floors and a Brick 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!