This is an example of a transitional dining room in Los Angeles with grey walls, dark hardwood floors, brown floor, coffered, decorative wall panelling and wallpaper.

Brookline Rejuvenation

Oak Hill Architects

This is an example of a large separate dining room in Boston with metallic walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace surround, black floor, exposed beam and wallpaper.

"Kingscrest" Formal Dining Room

User

Design ideas for a large transitional separate dining room in Toronto with dark hardwood floors, multi-coloured walls and wallpaper.

Coastal Mediterranean Remodel

Lola Interiors

Photo: Jessie Preza Photography
Photo of a large mediterranean dining room in Jacksonville with green walls, dark hardwood floors, brown floor and wallpaper.

Newport

Dual Concept Design

A eye-catching and beautiful dining room with a stylish surrounding to make dining experience extra special
This is an example of a mid-sized transitional dining room in Chicago with beige walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, brown floor, wallpaper and wallpaper.

Lakehouse Luxe

User

This is an example of a transitional separate dining room in Dallas with grey walls, dark hardwood floors, brown floor, decorative wall panelling and wallpaper.

Soft Treatments: Draperies, Valances, Cornices

Ambiance Design

Simple, yet elegant Hunter Douglas Designer Roller Shades in "Alpine Snow" paired with Floor to ceiling pleated drapery panels. The hardware is a traverse rod in Polished Nickel. The fabric is from Gianti.

North Chicago Home

O’Hara Interiors

Martha O'Hara Interiors, Interior Design & Photo Styling Please Note: All “related,” “similar,” and “sponsored” products tagged or listed by Houzz are not actual products pictured. They have not been approved by Martha O’Hara Interiors nor any of the professionals credited. For information about our work, please contact design@oharainteriors.com.

Curated Family Charmer

Andrea Schumacher Interiors

This dining room has white wooden chairs with a green floral fabric. The chairs sit around a glass coffee table and a gold chandelier hangs overhead.

Painted Brick Traditional Georgian

Wyrick Residential Design

Photo of a large traditional dining room in Houston with beige walls, dark hardwood floors, brown floor and wallpaper.

Colorful Green Dining Room, Williamsburg VA

April Waltrip Interiors

In this fabulous dining room, we mixed new traditional with contemporary design. We anchored the room with a color palette of blue, white and green. The rug is a chain link floral design with a background of green with pink and white as the floral link. We drew from the blue and white jars and painted the walls using it the blue. On the drapery, we chose to use a light and airy white curtain panel with a brushed nickel rod. The 48" round table is set centered in the room with Restoration Hardware french style chairs, paired with 2 head chairs in a colorful Desert Rose fabric. Over the dining table, we chose this beautiful linen chandelier with crystal drops. It is simple, but spectacular. A true focal point! At the opposite end of the room, we placed a white lacquered sideboard with a pair of bulbous lamps in white. Centered over the top of this console is a large piece of pastel pallet knife art in a chrome frame. We repeated the green and blue colors in the ginger jar collection atop the sideboard. Lastly, green, blue and white are repeated in the colorful plate wall collection of the client's. It adds real interest to the space and shows their unique taste.

Modern Ocean Blue Dining Room

LT Designs

Design ideas for a large modern separate dining room in New York with dark hardwood floors and wallpaper.

Queens Crown

Beyond Beige Interior Design Inc.

Photo of a mid-sized transitional dining room in Vancouver with dark hardwood floors, wallpaper and beige walls.

Dining Room

Rose & Lily Interiors

Mid-sized eclectic kitchen/dining combo in Atlanta with grey walls, dark hardwood floors, brown floor and wallpaper.

Rustic Modern Pod Home

Cannarsa Structure and Design

This is an example of a country kitchen/dining combo in Grand Rapids with white walls, dark hardwood floors, brown floor and wallpaper.

Surrey, England

Oficina Inglesa Germany

Handgemachte Maßmöbel aus der Oficina Inglesa Manufaktur. Entdecken Sie die ganze Kollektion in unserem Online-Katalog auf www.oficinainglesa.de.
Photo of a traditional dining room in Munich with blue walls, dark hardwood floors and wallpaper.

Terrace Grove

Nikole Starr Interiors

Photo of a mid-sized traditional separate dining room in Houston with white walls, dark hardwood floors, brown floor and wallpaper.

Saltair Ave. Project

Drexel Luxury Homes

Transitional dining room in Los Angeles with multi-coloured walls, dark hardwood floors, brown floor, decorative wall panelling and wallpaper.

Applebrook Golf Club

Designs By Danica

This is an example of a transitional dining room in Philadelphia with grey walls, dark hardwood floors, brown floor and wallpaper.

Total Renovation Armonk,NY

Lara Michelle Interiors Inc.

www.laramichelle.com
This is an example of a mid-sized transitional separate dining room in New York with multi-coloured walls, dark hardwood floors, no fireplace, brown floor and wallpaper.

Dining Room Design Ideas with Dark Hardwood Floors and Wallpaper

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!