Design ideas for a mid-sized country dining room in Atlanta with green walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and a stone fireplace surround.

house A

Amitzi Architects

Design ideas for a mid-sized modern dining room in Tel Aviv with white walls, a ribbon fireplace, dark hardwood floors and a plaster fireplace surround.

Rustic Home at Mountain Air

Ambiance Interiors

Wood walls/ mountain views through rustic railings/ motorized Roman Shades
Photo of a large country open plan dining in Other with beige walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and a stone fireplace surround.

De Beauvoir, Hackney - Full house renovation

Emilie Fournet Interiors

The Breakfast Room leading onto the kitchen through pockets doors using reclaimed Victorian pine doors. A dining area on one side and a seating area around the wood burner create a very cosy atmosphere.

Monterey Project

M&P Design Group

Dining room
Large eclectic dining room in New York with blue walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, brown floor, wallpaper and panelled walls.

Palmetto Bluff Masterpiece

StoneWorks, Inc.

Another view of the great room that is flooded with natural light, thanks to the operable, transom windows throughout.
Mid-sized transitional open plan dining in Charleston with a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, white walls, dark hardwood floors and brown floor.

The Toulon | Bellevue, Greater Seattle Area

JayMarc Homes

Expansive arts and crafts open plan dining in Seattle with grey walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a wood fireplace surround and brown floor.

The Ranch

Splittgerber Professional Builders

This is an example of a large country open plan dining in Denver with beige walls, dark hardwood floors, a two-sided fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and brown floor.

Dining Room / Family Room - French Normandy Tudor

Hierarchy Architecture + Design, PLLC

This white breakfast area & family room are part of an open great room that includes a large kitchen. The space is done in a Transitional style that puts a Contemporary twist on the Traditional rustic French Normandy Tudor. The breakfast/dining area has 4 sleek white leather dining chairs that have Elizabethan wood legs and a rustic natural wood dining table with a large globe light fixture over top. The family room has a fireplace with stone surround and a wall mounted TV over top. Two large beige couches face each other on a brown, white & beige geometric rug. The exposed dark wood ceiling beams match the hardwood flooring and the walls are light gray with white French windows. Architect: T.J. Costello - Hierarchy Architecture + Design, PLLC Photographer: Russell Pratt

Colorado Divinity

Tiffany Homes

This is an example of a mid-sized contemporary open plan dining in Denver with beige walls, dark hardwood floors, a ribbon fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and brown floor.

2632 Palmerston, West Vancouver

J. Bannister Homes

Mid-sized traditional open plan dining in Vancouver with green walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and a stone fireplace surround.

Barnardsville NC

Springtime Builders

Site harvested red hickory table by homeowner. Craftsman detailed window trim in cherry stained Alder.
Inspiration for a mid-sized arts and crafts kitchen/dining combo in Other with beige walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and brown floor.

Kirby Road, Mclean, VA

Sidd Kashyap

Photo of a mid-sized transitional open plan dining in DC Metro with white walls, dark hardwood floors, a ribbon fireplace and a stone fireplace surround.

House of Rock

Minhnuyet Hardy Interiors

Mali Azima
Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary kitchen/dining combo in Atlanta with grey walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and a stone fireplace surround.

Hill Country Farmhouse on Lake Travis

Legacy DCS

Four Walls Photography
Design ideas for an expansive country dining room in Austin with white walls, dark hardwood floors, a two-sided fireplace and a stone fireplace surround.

Charming Meets Luxury...Condo in Melrose, MA

BK Classic Collections Home Stagers

Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional kitchen/dining combo in Boston with white walls, dark hardwood floors, a corner fireplace, a tile fireplace surround and brown floor.

Victorian Farmhouse

Living Stone Design + Build

Mid-sized country separate dining room in Other with white walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and brown floor.

Silver Falls Court

J Wiley Designs

This is an example of a large transitional kitchen/dining combo in Dallas with beige walls, dark hardwood floors, a ribbon fireplace and a stone fireplace surround.

Woodside Estate - Markay Johnson Construction

Markay Johnson Construction

A breathtaking city, bay and mountain view over take the senses as one enters the regal estate of this Woodside California home. At apx 17,000 square feet the exterior of the home boasts beautiful hand selected stone quarry material, custom blended slate roofing with pre aged copper rain gutters and downspouts. Every inch of the exterior one finds intricate timeless details. As one enters the main foyer a grand marble staircase welcomes them, while an ornate metal with gold-leaf laced railing outlines the staircase. A high performance chef’s kitchen waits at one wing while separate living quarters are down the other. A private elevator in the heart of the home serves as a second means of arriving from floor to floor. The properties vanishing edge pool serves its viewer with breathtaking views while a pool house with separate guest quarters are just feet away. This regal estate boasts a new level of luxurious living built by Markay Johnson Construction. Builder: Markay Johnson Construction visit: www.mjconstruction.com Photographer: Scot Zimmerman

Modern Farmhouse

Kress Jack At Home

Lynn Bagley
Inspiration for a country dining room in San Francisco with white walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and a stone fireplace surround.

All Fireplace Surrounds 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!