This is an example of a large mediterranean separate dining room in Nashville with beige walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a tile fireplace surround and brown floor.

Pinnacle of Pink

H2 Design Studio

This well-balanced dining area has custom dark millwork, accented by polished brass hardware. Light hues on the walls and sofa are contrasted by dark hardwood floors and subtle black accents. The reflective dining table is framed by a large window and elegant drapery. Delicate details in the space create an elevated sophistication.

Entertaining Space

Breathe Design Studio

A transitional townhouse for a family with a touch of modern design and blue accents. When I start a project, I always ask a client to describe three words that they want to describe their home. In this instance, the owner asked for a modern, clean, and functional aesthetic that would be family-friendly, while also allowing him to entertain. We worked around the owner's artwork by Ryan Fugate in order to choose a neutral but also sophisticated palette of blues, greys, and green for the entire home. Metallic accents create a more modern feel that plays off of the hardware already in the home. The result is a comfortable and bright home where everyone can relax at the end of a long day. Photography by Reagen Taylor Photography Collaboration with lead designer Travis Michael Interiors --- Project designed by the Atomic Ranch featured modern designers at Breathe Design Studio. From their Austin design studio, they serve an eclectic and accomplished nationwide clientele including in Palm Springs, LA, and the San Francisco Bay Area. For more about Breathe Design Studio, see here: https://www.breathedesignstudio.com/

The SANDFIDDLER COTTAGE great room

The Cottage Building Company

Kristopher Gerner; Mark Ballard
Photo of a mid-sized country open plan dining in Wilmington with blue walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and a tile fireplace surround.

Lee Circle

Modern Traditions Interior Design LLC

After two years with a peach dining room, the homeowner wanted to make it her own. Using her extensive china collection as inspiration, we painted the walls blue, the fireplace white and and created a white display frame. The new window treatments tie everything together. In spite of the windows, the room is very dim, so instead of navy, we used a brighter dark blue that becomes more intimate for evening dinner parties. Sara E. Eastman Photography

Prairie Modern Dining Room

Oliver Max Inc.

Photos by Beth Singer Architecture/Build: Luxe Homes Design Build
This is an example of a large contemporary open plan dining in Detroit with metallic walls, dark hardwood floors, a two-sided fireplace, a tile fireplace surround and brown floor.

Kitchens

SRCI Design Build

This particular homeowner was really wanting a grand room for entertaining friends and especially family. We knocked down a wall and expanded the kitchen and living area to give their growing family more room for gatherings. -Main Counter tops: Quarts- LG Minuet. Flat polish, 3cm. -Floors: Regal Hardwood/ Su Vino 5". Maple/Lombardy. -Walls: Sherwin Williams , Repose Gray/ Eg Shell. -Ceilings: Sherwin Williams, 50% of Repose Gray/ flat. -Chandelier: Hubbarton Forge 8-Arm Oval/ Black with water glass shades. -Trim: Sherwin Williams, Extra White/ semi -gloss. -Cabinets: Sherwin Williams, Extra White/ semi gloss.

2018 Hinckley Home

Otero Signature Homes

Photo of a large modern kitchen/dining combo in Cleveland with grey walls, dark hardwood floors, a ribbon fireplace, a tile fireplace surround and brown floor.

Roscoe Village Dining Library

Lauren M. Smith Interiors, LLC

Design by: Lauren M. Smith Interiors, LLC Photography by: EKM Photography
Design ideas for a large transitional open plan dining in Chicago with grey walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a tile fireplace surround and brown floor.

Brecksville Whole Home Renovation

Jennifer Speer Design

Mid Century Modern Dining room with Sherwin Williams "Connors Lakehouse" paint. Custom designing built in wall. Custom deigned and built dining table. Whole home design for first floor renovation. Oversee entire project and work directly with contractor and vendors. Purchased all furnishings and design the final space in all area.

Formal Dining Room used in a Contemporary manner

TOC design & construction inc.

This small, but casual space was once the living room, but the flow did not make sense. Prior to the remodel, the old dining room was tucked away in a corner of the house. Guest never felt comfortable in this space. After rethinking the design and removing un necessary wall, an open concept was created between the kitchen and the dining room, only problem was that an open concept usually means contemporary, modern style. My clients love to entertain formal affairs, so it was up to me to create a formal dining room in a contemporary environment. The process was easy, by adding a header to the opening this allowed me to shape the room in a formal rectangular manner and installing contemporary crown moldings, using a symmetrical formal formula, I added wood tiles to ceiling and an over sized lighting fixture, (believe it or not I found this light fixture where they specialize in pool tables) Because of the space constraint I could not find that perfect dining room table, so back to the drawing board to design one custom made, I wanted the feel of old world charm but the lightness of clean contemporary lines. I found a product that inspired me – Bamboo plywood from Smith and Fongs Plyboo, The natural and warmth of this Leed product was the perfect attraction to this room and by creating a 3 inch thickness to the surface I was able to take a rustic material and transform it into a contemporary art piece, I even asked my mill-worker to use the balance and make a lazy-susan for the center piece of the table, this make entertaining a breeze, - no more “ can you pass the salt please” Built-ins on either side of the gas fireplace blending in with the light colors of the walls where added for extra storage and objet d’art pieces, that the home owners collected through their travels. Simple, comfortable low back leather chairs where placed. This room represents dining at its finest without feeling stuffy, yet by adding Chrystal glass wear, porcelain place setting and silk linens this room can easily entertain guests wearing evening gowns and tuxedos. Photo by: Drew Hadley

White-Cream Kitchen Remodel with Shiplap & Rustic Beams

The Cleary Company

Remodeled kitchen-dining room spaces updated with fresh, crisp neutral colors and rustic architectural details. Marshall Skinner, Marshall Evan Photography

Phillips Creek Ranch | Shaddock Homes

Shaddock Homes

Shaddock Homes | Frisco, TX | Phillips Creek Ranch
This is an example of a traditional dining room in Dallas with beige walls, dark hardwood floors, a tile fireplace surround and a standard fireplace.

Shaw Flooring Design Gallery

Leader Flooring

Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary separate dining room in Los Angeles with white walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a tile fireplace surround and grey floor.

Narragansett Point

Battle Associates, Architects

This project was an historic renovation located on Narragansett Point in Newport, RI returning the structure to a single family house. The stunning porch running the length of the first floor and overlooking the bay served as the focal point for the design work. The view of the bay from the great octagon living room and outdoor porch is the heart of this waterfront home. The exterior was restored to 19th century character. Craftsman inspired details directed the character of the interiors. The entry hall is paneled in butternut, a traditional material for boat interiors.

Peniston Residence

Olivia Erwin Interiors

Design ideas for a mid-sized midcentury separate dining room in New Orleans with purple walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and a tile fireplace surround.

Noe Valley Nautical

Susan Diana Harris Interior Design

clean, coastal, colorful, lime green, white wainscoting,
Inspiration for a transitional dining room in Los Angeles with white walls, dark hardwood floors and a tile fireplace surround.

Upscale Down-sizing: Feeling at home in a retirement community

JCR Design Group

Photo of a mid-sized traditional open plan dining in St Louis with white walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a tile fireplace surround and brown floor.

Riverside Drive

3north

Ansel Olson
Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional separate dining room in Richmond with blue walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and a tile fireplace surround.

Cameron Crescent 2nd Storey Addition

Alair Homes Scarborough

This bungalow was completely renovated with a 2nd storey addition and a fully finished basement with 9 ft. ceilings. The main floor also has 9 ft. ceilings with a centrally located kitchen, with dining room and family room on either side. The home has a magnificent steel and glass centrally located stairs, with open treads providing a level of sophistication and openness to the home. Light was very important and was achieved with large windows and light wells for the basement bedrooms, large 12 ft. 4-panel patio doors on the main floor, and large windows and skylights in every room on the 2nd floor. The exterior style of the home was designed to complement the neighborhood and finished with Maibec and HardiePlank. The garage is roughed in and ready for a Tesla-charging station.

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