Glamorous Kitchen, Dining and Living Renovation with Entertaining in Mind

This young family began working with us after struggling with their previous contractor. They were over budget and not achieving what they really needed with the addition they were proposing. Rather than extend the existing footprint of their house as had been suggested, we proposed completely changing the orientation of their separate kitchen, living room, dining room, and sunroom and opening it all up to an open floor plan. By changing the configuration of doors and windows to better suit the new layout and sight lines, we were able to improve the views of their beautiful backyard and increase the natural light allowed into the spaces. We raised the floor in the sunroom to allow for a level cohesive floor throughout the areas. Their extended kitchen now has a nice sitting area within the kitchen to allow for conversation with friends and family during meal prep and entertaining. The sitting area opens to a full dining room with built in buffet and hutch that functions as a serving station. Conscious thought was given that all “permanent” selections such as cabinetry and countertops were designed to suit the masses, with a splash of this homeowner’s individual style in the double herringbone soft gray tile of the backsplash, the mitred edge of the island countertop, and the mixture of metals in the plumbing and lighting fixtures. Careful consideration was given to the function of each cabinet and organization and storage was maximized. This family is now able to entertain their extended family with seating for 18 and not only enjoy entertaining in a space that feels open and inviting, but also enjoy sitting down as a family for the simple pleasure of supper together.

Casa H: El valor de la libertad

Estudio Hús - Arquitectura e interiorismo

Photo of a mid-sized contemporary kitchen/dining combo in Madrid with black walls, dark hardwood floors, black floor, wood and wood walls.

Stately Rejuvenation

Mountainwood Homes

The dining room ceiling got a new wood treatment to cover up a dated, stepped tray ceiling.
Mid-sized transitional separate dining room in Portland with grey walls, dark hardwood floors, no fireplace, brown floor and wood.

Modern Vibe

Sierra Unlimited Construction

This is an example of a contemporary dining room in Other with white walls, dark hardwood floors, brown floor, wood and wood walls.

Интерьер гостевого дома и бани «Вишера» ⠀

Smart Wood Уникальные деревянные дома

Design ideas for a country dining room in Moscow with brown walls, dark hardwood floors, brown floor, exposed beam, vaulted and wood.

Petts Wood

Revelloyd Interiors

We refurbished this dining room, replacing the old 1930's tiled fireplace surround with this rather beautiful sandstone bolection fire surround. The challenge in the room was working with the existing pieces that the client wished to keep such as the rustic oak china cabinet in the fireplace alcove and the matching nest of tables and making it work with the newer pieces specified for the sapce.

Интерьер деревянного дома.

Alex Loft

This is an example of a large country separate dining room in Saint Petersburg with beige walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, brown floor, wood and wood walls.

Ethel Post Custom Build - CopeGrand Homes

CopeGrand Homes

Open living and dinning space
Inspiration for a beach style open plan dining in Charleston with grey walls, dark hardwood floors and wood.

Refugio en Matadepera

Xavi Pérez

This is an example of a country open plan dining in Barcelona with white walls, dark hardwood floors, brown floor, exposed beam and wood.

Столовая

Виктория Лапухина

Photo of a country dining room in Other with beige walls, dark hardwood floors, brown floor, vaulted, wood and wood walls.

Montana Chalet

SAV Digital Environments

This is an example of a country dining room in Other with grey walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, brown floor, exposed beam, vaulted and wood.

Gehrs Residence

Capri Architecture

Inspiration for a contemporary open plan dining in Portland with white walls, dark hardwood floors, brown floor, vaulted and wood.

17 Blueberry Lane Moultonborough

Brie Stephens - Lake Life Realty

This is an example of a country dining room in Portland Maine with grey walls, dark hardwood floors, brown floor, exposed beam, vaulted and wood.

Glam Oakland Living & Dining Rooms

Kimball Starr Interior Design

A head-on view from the living room of a Hollywood Regency-inspired dining room underneath a layered glass rectangular chandelier, showing a heavy, masculine dining table and dark brown upholstered dining chairs with silver rings on the back, balanced with contrasting violet and purple velvet head chairs, a copper triptych over textured wallpaper, and vases of greenery and purple flowers on the table. Behind the table, the windows are covered with colorful sheers in orange, pink, and red in a geometric pattern to provide fun and privacy. At the front, cerise/raspberry red armchairs frame the view into the dining area. A glass top coffee table over brass metal legs is dressed with a vase, stack of books and tiny succulent plant.

Spicewood Ranch

Ashby Collective

Inspiration for an expansive country open plan dining in Austin with brown floor, green walls, dark hardwood floors, exposed beam, vaulted, wood and planked wall panelling.

East Bay Trestle Glen great room addition and more

Kaplan Architects, AIA

Passage from dining room into new kitchen/greatroom. New dark oak custom cabinets flank the opening and help create a transition from one space to another. The cabinets have glass doors for display of china and other dinnerware. Mitch Shenker Photography

Painted Brick Traditional Georgian

Wyrick Residential Design

Inspiration for a large traditional kitchen/dining combo in Houston with white walls, dark hardwood floors, brown floor and wood.

Contemporary Dining Sets

Better Bona Furniture

Modern dining room with built-in wine cabinets is a good option for any contemporary style loft or flat.
This is an example of a large contemporary kitchen/dining combo in Other with grey walls, dark hardwood floors, no fireplace, grey floor, wood and panelled walls.

Lake Retreat

Tapley Cabinet Works

Country dining room in Other with white walls, dark hardwood floors, brown floor, exposed beam, vaulted and wood.

Pass-A-Grille Beach School House

Goodwin Heart Pine Company

Extraordinary Pass-A-Grille Beach Cottage! This was the original Pass-A-Grill Schoolhouse from 1912-1915! This cottage has been completely renovated from the floor up, and the 2nd story was added. It is on the historical register. Flooring for the first level common area is Antique River-Recovered® Heart Pine Vertical, Select, and Character. Goodwin's Antique River-Recovered® Heart Pine was used for the stair treads and trim.

Dining Room Design Ideas with Dark Hardwood Floors and Wood

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!