Photo of a large transitional open plan dining in Toronto with grey walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a wood fireplace surround and brown floor.

European Spin on American Traditional Dining Room

Lemon Grass Interior Architecture

Erik Rank Photography
Photo of a mid-sized transitional kitchen/dining combo in New York with beige walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and a wood fireplace surround.

Beautifully Finished Custom Home in Windermere Florida

Element Home Builders

This is an example of a mid-sized transitional dining room in Orlando with beige walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a wood fireplace surround and brown floor.

Decorators Showcase House

ScavulloDesign Interiors

Inspiration for a large eclectic separate dining room in San Francisco with multi-coloured walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and a wood fireplace surround.

Recreating Space to Produce a New Living Environment, Merion Station, PA

marshall sabatini | architecture+

Inspiration for a large traditional separate dining room in Philadelphia with white walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a wood fireplace surround and brown floor.

55 Kiawah Island Club Drive

EPIC Development Group, LLC

Design ideas for a large arts and crafts open plan dining in Charleston with white walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a wood fireplace surround, multi-coloured floor, coffered and decorative wall panelling.

Queen Anne Victorian, Fairfield, Iowa

Belltown Design LLC

One of a variety of stained glass windows in this Victorian Era home, all of which have now been fully restored! This one was unearthed from the inside of a walled in area; a hidden gem - with a bountiful fruit basket imagery. Queen Anne Victorian, Fairfield, Iowa. Belltown Design. Photography by Corelee Dey and Sharon Schmidt.

French Country Estate in The Pecans - Queen Creek, AZ

I PLAN, LLC - Architectural Design

I PLAN, LLC
Photo of a large separate dining room in Phoenix with grey walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a wood fireplace surround and brown floor.

Rustic and Refined Historic Dining Room in Suburban Philadelphia

Robinson Interiors

This historic Philadelphia home's dining room gets an update by Robinson Interiors featuring modern chandeliers, a rustic farmhouse table, antique Victorian mirror and luxurious custom fabrics. The fireplace wall's wood paneling is balanced by the overscaled antique mirror. Shimmery fabrics line the built in lighted glass shelving, which flanks windows flanked with custom Italian strung draperies.

Old Town Alexandria Residence

Breeze Giannasio Interiors

Stacy Zarin Goldberg
Inspiration for a large traditional dining room in DC Metro with grey walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and a wood fireplace surround.

Elegant. Timeless. Distinctive.

Carleen Gosney

Kelvin Hughes, Kelvin Hughes Productions NWMLS #922108
Inspiration for an expansive traditional open plan dining in Seattle with white walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and a wood fireplace surround.

Glazed Walls & Metallic Ceilings in Walden on Lake Houston Home

Faux Houston

Ryan Wells
Inspiration for a large contemporary kitchen/dining combo in Houston with beige walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a wood fireplace surround and beige floor.

The Athenia | Bellevue, Greater Seattle Area

JayMarc Homes

Expansive arts and crafts open plan dining in Seattle with grey walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a wood fireplace surround and brown floor.

Transitional Estate

Schuster Homes, LLC

©Beth Singer Photographer, Inc.
Photo of an expansive transitional open plan dining in Detroit with white walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and a wood fireplace surround.

Decorators Showcase House

ScavulloDesign Interiors

This is an example of a large eclectic separate dining room in San Francisco with multi-coloured walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and a wood fireplace surround.

Toronto Down Town Semi

AC Interiors Design & Build

With four small children in a small semi, downtown Toronto, this client needed lots of seating! These benches, not only provide incredible drama but are easy for kids to climb onto and the horizontal stripes make the space look even larger than it is!

ISLAND CIRCLE

Rasnick Homes

Mid-sized country kitchen/dining combo in Austin with beige walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and a wood fireplace surround.

Dining Room Furniture

Dennis Lee Furniture

This is an example of a mid-sized transitional separate dining room in Other with white walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and a wood fireplace surround.

Area Rugs

Barnards Carpet One Floor & Home

Traditional dining room in Miami with dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and a wood fireplace surround.

John Colaneri

LaCantina Doors

Large country open plan dining in San Diego with white walls, dark hardwood floors, a two-sided fireplace, a wood fireplace surround and brown floor.

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