Beach style dining room in Gold Coast - Tweed with grey walls, dark hardwood floors and grey floor.

Kalinga

Linear Design + Construct

Tropical dining room in Brisbane with white walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, brown floor and vaulted.

Warraweena

Jonathan Dade Photo Video

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

Bellevue Hill House

Alexandra Kidd

Inspiration for a transitional separate dining room in Sydney with grey walls, dark hardwood floors, black floor and decorative wall panelling.

BELLEVUE RESIDENCE

In Vogue Kitchens & Joinery

Design ideas for a contemporary open plan dining in Sydney with grey walls, dark hardwood floors and brown floor.

Hamptons West Coast

Intrim Group Pty Ltd

This home,perched within stones throw from the ocean, is all about layered materials and classic silhouettes to create a relaxed yet elegant interior. The heart of the home, the kitchen, is light, bright and seamlessly blends into the open floor plan. The two lounge areas in the open plan layout are releaxed yet elegant, and have their own distinct feel to create the obvious feel of two spaces. Custom joinery is featured throughout as a beautiful way to bring character and personality to the home, with a neutral palette used right through with pops of black for contrast. The master bedroom was created more like a hotel suite with a quaint sitting area placed in front of the fireplace. A grand 20 metre hallway lined with VJ wall panelling and linen sheers creates a magical walk from the open plan at the front to the guest rooms at the rear. Without a doubt this home is spectacular from any angle. Intrim supplied Intrim SK568 skirting board in 185mm high skirting board and 115mm wide architrave, along with SB01 skirting blocks to finish the look. Construction: Kings Rd Construction | Design: M Interiors | Carpentry: Boss Carpentry WA | Photography: Jody Darcy

Gardenvale Project Hamptons style open plan living and dining

Destination Living

Photo of a small contemporary open plan dining in Melbourne with blue walls, dark hardwood floors and brown floor.

Millers Point Residence

Woods & Warner

Woods & Warner were asked by the clients to bring back the charm & beauty of this once preoccupied terrace. Stunning views of Sydneys foreshore the breakfast area is stream filled with light. The challenge at the front of the house was to inject light where it’s naturally compromised. The elegance of soft blue wall paper & cabinetry paired with over scale & rich patterns provides the clients with a comfortable, approachable & enjoyable space.

Contemporary Dining Room

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

Hamptons Summer Home

Sean Litchfield Photography

Sean Litchfield
Photo of a transitional dining room in New York with grey walls, dark hardwood floors and decorative wall panelling.

Dining Room

SINGLEPOINT DESIGN BUILD INC.

Dining room and main hallway. Modern fireplace wall has herringbone tile pattern and custom wood shelving. The main hall has custom wood trusses that bring the feel of the 16' tall ceilings down to earth. The steel dining table is 4' x 10' and was built specially for the space.

Michigan Summer Home

Tom Stringer Design Partners

Photography by: Werner Straube
Beach style dining room in Chicago with yellow walls, dark hardwood floors and beige floor.

Mid Century Modern Remodel

Kelly Martin Interiors

This remodel was located in the Hollywood Hills of Los Angeles. The dining room features authentic mid century modern furniture and a colorful Louis Poulsen pendant.

OLD NOYAC PATH

Blue Ocean Design

Design ideas for a mid-sized beach style separate dining room in New York with grey walls, dark hardwood floors, no fireplace and brown floor.

Chenault Breakfast Area

Paul Interiors

Love this breakfast nook in neutral fabrics with white tulip table and hanging custom grey lantern. Natural woven shades add texture to the space.
Photo of a mid-sized traditional kitchen/dining combo in Los Angeles with beige walls and dark hardwood floors.

Modern farmhouse dining room

DEMESNE

A simple modern palette encompasses the home and is evident in the dining room. Modern lighting, art and neutral tones feel contemporary, juxtaposed by rustic barn doors. ©Shoot2Sell Photography

Transitional NJ Dining Room

Leedy Interiors

Paul S. Bartholomew
Transitional dining room in New York with blue walls, dark hardwood floors and brown floor.

Loftus Design

Jim Schmid Photography

Jim Schmid Photography
This is an example of a transitional separate dining room in Charlotte with grey walls and dark hardwood floors.

Eastside Tudor Dinette and Picture Wall with Hidden TV

Amy Carman Design

This beautifully-appointed Tudor home is laden with architectural detail. Beautifully-formed plaster moldings, an original stone fireplace, and 1930s-era woodwork were just a few of the features that drew this young family to purchase the home, however the formal interior felt dark and compartmentalized. The owners enlisted Amy Carman Design to lighten the spaces and bring a modern sensibility to their everyday living experience. Modern furnishings, artwork and a carefully hidden TV in the dinette picture wall bring a sense of fresh, on-trend style and comfort to the home. To provide contrast, the ACD team chose a juxtaposition of traditional and modern items, creating a layered space that knits the client's modern lifestyle together the historic architecture of the home.

John's Island Riverfront

Harry Gandy Howle & Associates PA

Photo of a beach style open plan dining in Miami with beige walls, dark hardwood floors and no fireplace.

Dining Room Design Ideas with Dark Hardwood Floors

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!