First impression count as you enter this custom-built Horizon Homes property at Kellyville. The home opens into a stylish entryway, with soaring double height ceilings. It’s often said that the kitchen is the heart of the home. And that’s literally true with this home. With the kitchen in the centre of the ground floor, this home provides ample formal and informal living spaces on the ground floor. At the rear of the house, a rumpus room, living room and dining room overlooking a large alfresco kitchen and dining area make this house the perfect entertainer. It’s functional, too, with a butler’s pantry, and laundry (with outdoor access) leading off the kitchen. There’s also a mudroom – with bespoke joinery – next to the garage. Upstairs is a mezzanine office area and four bedrooms, including a luxurious main suite with dressing room, ensuite and private balcony. Outdoor areas were important to the owners of this knockdown rebuild. While the house is large at almost 454m2, it fills only half the block. That means there’s a generous backyard. A central courtyard provides further outdoor space. Of course, this courtyard – as well as being a gorgeous focal point – has the added advantage of bringing light into the centre of the house.

Arts & Crafts House, Malvern

Brownlow Interior Design

Photo of a traditional dining room in Melbourne with grey walls, dark hardwood floors and brown floor.

Transitional Dining Room

Transitional dining room in Sydney with white walls, dark hardwood floors and brown floor.

Purple Accent Design

Freestyle Interiors

Photo of a large contemporary dining room in Miami with beige walls, dark hardwood floors, no fireplace and brown floor.

Puritan

AMW Design Studio

Design ideas for a mid-sized contemporary kitchen/dining combo in Detroit with white walls, dark hardwood floors and brown floor.

Santa Barbara Style

White Sands Coastal Development

We remodeled this 5,400-square foot, 3-story home on ’s Second Street to give it a more current feel, with cleaner lines and textures. The result is more and less Old World Europe, which is exactly what we were going for. We worked with much of the client’s existing furniture, which has a southern flavor, compliments of its former South Carolina home. This was an additional challenge, because we had to integrate a variety of influences in an intentional and cohesive way. We painted nearly every surface white in the 5-bed, 6-bath home, and added light-colored window treatments, which brightened and opened the space. Additionally, we replaced all the light fixtures for a more integrated aesthetic. Well-selected accessories help pull the space together, infusing a consistent sense of peace and comfort.

North Lincoln Hinsdale

Plain & Posh

Inspiration for a country dining room in Chicago with white walls, dark hardwood floors and brown floor.

Glenview Classic

Dual Concept Design

A transitional dining room, where we incorporated the clients' antique dining table and paired it up with chairs that are a mix of upholstery and wooden accents. A traditional navy and cream rug anchors the furniture, and dark gray walls with accents of brass, mirror and some color in the artwork and accessories pull the space together.

Sophisticated Glamour

RLH Studio

Spacecrafting Photography
This is an example of an expansive traditional open plan dining in Minneapolis with white walls, dark hardwood floors, a two-sided fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, brown floor, coffered and decorative wall panelling.

Woodmere Drive

Jamie Keskin Design

Traditional separate dining room in Boston with grey walls, dark hardwood floors and brown floor.

Hilltop

Roberta Wilson

Open Concept Nook
Design ideas for a large transitional kitchen/dining combo in San Francisco with grey walls, no fireplace, dark hardwood floors and brown floor.

Glen Ridge Home

Toledo Geller

Photo of a mid-sized transitional separate dining room in New York with multi-coloured walls, brown floor, dark hardwood floors and no fireplace.

Country House Renovation

Brooks and Falotico Associates, Inc.

Phillip Ennis Photography
Inspiration for a beach style dining room in New York with dark hardwood floors, white walls and brown floor.

Large Dining Room to Seat 22

Studio ST Architects, P.C.

This large dining room can seat 12-22 for a formal dinner. Custom live edge wood slab table. Wood veneer wall paper warms up the rood and a Metropolitan Opera light fixtures is centered over the table. Room is framed with a floating bronze arch leading to the foyer.

Mountain Ski Lodge

Faure Halvorsen Architects

Design ideas for a mid-sized country kitchen/dining combo in Other with white walls, dark hardwood floors and brown floor.

STONEWOOD, LLC - Private Residence - Orono, Minnesota

Spacecrafting / Architectural Photography

Mike McCaw - Spacecrafting / Architectural Photography
Design ideas for a traditional dining room in Minneapolis with grey walls, dark hardwood floors and brown floor.

Carolina Design Associates, LLC

This is an example of a dining room in Charlotte with beige walls, dark hardwood floors and brown floor.

Hill Country Modern

JAUREGUI Architecture Interiors Construction

Inspiration for a country dining room in Austin with dark hardwood floors and brown floor.

Oakley Home Builders

Photo of a mid-sized traditional separate dining room in Chicago with grey walls, dark hardwood floors, no fireplace and brown floor.

1950's House Refurb

Born Designers Ltd

Inspiration for a mid-sized midcentury kitchen/dining combo in Sussex with blue walls, dark hardwood floors, brown floor, vaulted and wood walls.

Dining Room Design Ideas with Dark Hardwood Floors and Brown Floor

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!