Photo of a large country open plan dining in Other with brown walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and brown floor.

Greene Residence

New West Partners

Design ideas for a large traditional open plan dining in Denver with beige walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and a stone fireplace surround.

Witt Home

Classic Design Group

This is an example of a large country open plan dining in Portland with beige walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and brown floor.

Miami Shore

Luxe Design Studios

Large contemporary open plan dining in Miami with dark hardwood floors, multi-coloured walls, a two-sided fireplace and a stone fireplace surround.

Gen-X Showcase Home

Canin Associates' Architecture Studio

BUILDER magazine
Inspiration for a large traditional open plan dining in Orlando with brown walls, dark hardwood floors, brown floor, a standard fireplace and a stone fireplace surround.

Dining Area Detail

Angela Reynolds Designs

Photo of an expansive transitional open plan dining in Miami with dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, brown floor and black walls.

White Oak long plank custom stained by Tamalpais Hardwood Floors

Tamalpais Hardwood Floors

Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional open plan dining in San Francisco with white walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and a stone fireplace surround.

Elegant Colonial

PS & Daughters

This is an example of a large transitional kitchen/dining combo in Philadelphia with a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, white walls, dark hardwood floors and brown floor.

Breakfast Nook Vaulted Ceiling

Fratantoni Interior Designers

This Italian Villa breakfast nook features a round wood table decorated with floral that seats 6 in upholstered leather slingback chairs. A chandelier hangs from the center of the vaulted dome ceiling, and a built-in fireplace sits on the side of the table.

Rustic Dining Room

Design ideas for a country dining room in Other with dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and a stone fireplace surround.

German-style Bank Barn Conversion

Blackburn Architects, PC

This project salvages a historic German-style bank barn that fell into serious decay and readapts it into a private family entertainment space. The barn had to be straightened, stabilized, and moved to a new location off the road as required by local zoning. Design plans maintain the integrity of the bank barn and reuses lumber. The traditional details juxtapose modern amenities including two bedrooms, two loft-style dayrooms, a large kitchen for entertaining, dining room, and family room with stone fireplace. Finishes are exposed throughout. A highlight is a two-level porch: one covered, one screened. The backside of the barn provides privacy and the perfect place to relax and enjoy full, unobstructed views of the property. Photos by Cesar Lujan

Downsized, not Downgraded

Wendy Glaister Interiors

The dining area is an extension of the kitchen and boasts storage for pantry items, china, serving vessels, and small appliances. Cabinetry surrounds the window and a buffet counter clad in statuario marble makes entertaining a snap.

Urban Dining Room

A Curated Room

Mid-sized transitional kitchen/dining combo in Atlanta with grey walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and brown floor.

Dining room wallpaper ideas

Wallpaperdirect UK

A striking horizontal stripe effect wallpaper design, created from naturalistic lines of trees, with a hand painted style.
Inspiration for a scandinavian dining room in Sussex with green walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and a stone fireplace surround.

Madison, Mississippi

Rivers Spencer

Design ideas for a transitional separate dining room in New Orleans with multi-coloured walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, brown floor and panelled walls.

Lake Lure Renovation + Addition

Allard + Roberts Interior Design, Inc

Interior Design: Allard + Roberts Interior Design Construction: K Enterprises Photography: David Dietrich Photography
Mid-sized transitional dining room in Other with white walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and brown floor.

Villa Maria

User

Michael Patch
This is an example of a traditional separate dining room in Other with black walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and brown floor.

Dark and Dramatic Living & Dining Room

Simply Home Decorating

We moved away from our usual light, airy aesthetic toward the dark and dramatic in this formal living and dining space located in a spacious home in Vancouver's affluent West Side neighborhood. Deep navy blue, gold and dark warm woods make for a rich scheme that perfectly suits this well appointed home. Interior Design by Lori Steeves of Simply Home Decorating. Photos by Tracey Ayton Photography.

William T Baker &Associates, Atlanta, GA

William T Baker

James Lockhart photo
Inspiration for a large traditional separate dining room in Atlanta with grey walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and brown floor.

Dining room

Delicious Kitchens & Interiors, LLC

The dining room is located at the front of the house, just off of the formal entry hall. The integrated mahogany china cabinet is recessed into the wall and can be removed: it was planned like this in case of flooding, there is an access panel below the custom cabinet.

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