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.

Palmetto Bluff - Private Residence

Linda McDougald Design | Postcard from Paris Home

This lovely home sits in one of the most pristine and preserved places in the country - Palmetto Bluff, in Bluffton, SC. The natural beauty and richness of this area create an exceptional place to call home or to visit. The house lies along the river and fits in perfectly with its surroundings. 4,000 square feet - four bedrooms, four and one-half baths All photos taken by Rachael Boling Photography

Great Room

Angela Reynolds Designs

Expansive transitional open plan dining in Miami with dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, brown floor, exposed beam, wallpaper and beige walls.

Old Locke Renovation

Fiorentino Group Architects

Rob Karosis
Inspiration for a large transitional kitchen/dining combo in Boston with dark hardwood floors, brown floor, beige walls and no fireplace.

Grand Homes by Fratantoni Interior Designers!

Fratantoni Interior Designers

World Renowned Interior Design Firm Fratantoni Interior Designers created this beautiful home! They design homes for families all over the world in any size and style. They also have in-house Architecture Firm Fratantoni Design and world class Luxury Home Building Firm Fratantoni Luxury Estates! Hire one or all three companies to design, build and or remodel your home!

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.

Breakfast Area

Windstone Partners

This kitchen contains a mixture of traditional southern charm and contemporary selections, with the design of the doorways and the built in antique hutches, paired with the built-in breakfast bench and cabinetry.

Beautiful Orangery on a Yorkshire Hunting Lodge

Vale Garden Houses

This generously sized room creates the perfect environment for dining and entertaining. Ventilation is provided by balanced sliding sash windows and a traditional rising canopy on the roof. Columns provide the perfect position for both internal and external lighting. Vale Paint Colour- Exterior :Earth Interior: Porcini Size- 10.9M X 6.5M

Dining Room

Jeremy Aykroyd Design

Cow hides of varying colours have been laid out below the custom marble dining table. Brass library lighting provide a warm glow for both reading and dining with guests and family alike. Bruce Zinger Photography

Smyth Apartment

Bromley Caldari Architects PC

Photo of a large contemporary kitchen/dining combo in New York with white walls, dark hardwood floors, no fireplace and brown floor.

Casual elegance

Natalie Howe Design

Ryann Ford Photography
Large traditional separate dining room in Austin with dark hardwood floors, beige walls, brown floor and no fireplace.

Fairview Transitional Custom Home

Traci Connell Interiors

This drop dead gorgeous kitchen encompasses custom white cabinetry with quartz and marble countertops. The curved banquette is a special touch to the sitting breakfast nook and the yellow chandelier brings it all together. It is the perfect place for a family dinner.

Jamaica Pond

Elms Interior Design

Photography by Michael J. Lee
Transitional dining room in Boston with blue walls and dark hardwood floors.

Dining Room

User

http://www.christopherstarkphoto.com/
Inspiration for a contemporary dining room in San Francisco with grey walls and dark hardwood floors.

Traditional Dining Room

Photo of a large traditional kitchen/dining combo in Portland with blue walls, dark hardwood floors and brown floor.

Danville Remodel

Fiorella Design, LLC

Mid-sized contemporary open plan dining in San Francisco with dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace surround and grey walls.

Sublime Sanctuary - Dining Room

Drewett Works

Designed for intimate gatherings, this charming oval-shaped dining room offers European appeal with its white-painted brick veneer walls and exquisite ceiling treatment. Visible through the window at left is a well-stocked wine room. Project Details // Sublime Sanctuary Upper Canyon, Silverleaf Golf Club Scottsdale, Arizona Architecture: Drewett Works Builder: American First Builders Interior Designer: Michele Lundstedt Landscape architecture: Greey | Pickett Photography: Werner Segarra https://www.drewettworks.com/sublime-sanctuary/

Carlysle at Bay Colony

Koastal Design Group - Kira Krümm & Co.

Randall Perry Photography
Photo of a large transitional kitchen/dining combo in Miami with grey walls, dark hardwood floors and brown floor.

Maison Noir

CM Natural Designs

This builder-house was purchased by a young couple with high taste and style. In order to personalize and elevate it, each room was given special attention down to the smallest details. Inspiration was gathered from multiple European influences, especially French style. The outcome was a home that makes you never want to leave.

Edina Kitchen and Hearth

Liz Schupanitz Designs

Kitchen Is Where the Hearth Is Location: Edina, MN, USA Liz Schupanitz Designs Photographed by: Andrea Rugg
Mid-sized traditional kitchen/dining combo in Minneapolis with dark hardwood floors.

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!