Design ideas for a country dining room in Brisbane with yellow walls, medium hardwood floors, brown floor, vaulted and planked wall panelling.

Rosanna Property Presentation

Larkspur Lane Design

Adding custom storage was a big part of the renovation of this 1950s home, including creating spaces to show off some quirky vintage accessories such as transistor radios, old cameras, homemade treasures and travel souvenirs (such as these little wooden camels from Morocco and London Black Cab).

Flinders , Sailors Whisk

Mermaid Bay Interiors

Inspiration for a mid-sized beach style kitchen/dining combo in Melbourne with light hardwood floors, white walls, a concrete fireplace surround and planked wall panelling.

A classic family home, Hampton's style

My Beautiful Abode

With a strict instruction to avoid a coastal theme, the brief for this home was to create a classic style that is easy for family living.
Photo of a beach style dining room in Melbourne with white walls, light hardwood floors, beige floor and decorative wall panelling.

Dining Room

Order & Grace

Inspiration for a large beach style kitchen/dining combo in Sydney with white walls, porcelain floors, grey floor, coffered and planked wall panelling.

Barkly Street

S&A Stairs

Where form meets class. This stunning contemporary stair features beautiful American Oak timbers contrasting with a striking steel balustrade with feature timber panelling underneath the flight. This elegant design takes up residence in Mazzei’s Royal Melbourne Hospital Lottery home.

Relaxed Living

Julie Coppa Designs, Inc.

Design ideas for a transitional dining room in DC Metro with grey walls, dark hardwood floors, brown floor and planked wall panelling.

Sullivan's Island Remodel

St. Pierre Construction

Dining room featuring light white oak flooring, custom built-in bench for additional seating, horizontal shiplap walls, and a mushroom board ceiling.

MILAN

atelier daaa

Photo : Romain Ricard
Inspiration for a mid-sized traditional open plan dining in Paris with green walls, light hardwood floors, no fireplace, beige floor and decorative wall panelling.

Meant to Be(ach)

GLDESIGN

Photo of a large beach style separate dining room in Other with white walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a tile fireplace surround, brown floor and planked wall panelling.

Custom-Crafted Natural Woven Shades & Real Wood Plantation Shutters

Acadia Shutters & Blinds, Inc.

Custom Real Wood Plantation Shutters | Louver Size: 4.5" | Crafted & Designed by Acadia Shutters
This is an example of a mid-sized arts and crafts dining room in Nashville with white walls, dark hardwood floors, no fireplace, brown floor and planked wall panelling.

McHenry Road | Dining Room

HERE architecture + interiors

Inspired by the colors and textures found in spices while preparing meals for special occasions with the family, this formal Living and Dining room celebrates bold patterns and jewel tone finishes both on the walls and elements throughout. Layers of family heirlooms are paired with vintage finds and modern shapes of furniture for a unique and transitional touch.

Mulholland Drive- Bel Air

Rande Leaman Interior Design

The formal dining room looks out to the spacious backyard with French doors opening to the pool and spa area. The wood burning brick fireplace was painted white in the renovation and white wainscoting surrounds the room, keeping it fresh and modern. The dramatic wood pitched roof has skylights that bring in light and keep things bright and airy.

Walnut Grove

TOTAL CONCEPTS

This is an example of a country open plan dining in San Francisco with white walls, dark hardwood floors, brown floor, vaulted and planked wall panelling.

Historic Barn Conversion

lisa furey interiors

Photo of a mid-sized country dining room in Philadelphia with grey walls, medium hardwood floors, brown floor, exposed beam and decorative wall panelling.

Update Mansion - Minimalist French Country

Lisa Stewart Design

Grand view from the Dining Room with tray ceiling and columns with stone bases,
Inspiration for a large kitchen/dining combo in Raleigh with grey walls, dark hardwood floors, no fireplace, brown floor, recessed, panelled walls and decorative wall panelling.

Home staging rue du Cherche-Midi Paris 6

Frédérique Misdariis - Home Staging Paris

Inspiration for a transitional dining room in Paris with beige walls, medium hardwood floors, brown floor and decorative wall panelling.

Project Rush Haven

Terravista Interior Design Group

The homeowners wanted an updated style for their home that incorporated their existing traditional pieces. We added transitional furnishings with clean lines and a neutral palette to create a fresh and sophisticated traditional design plan.

Lincoln Park Dining Room

Gardner & French Design Co

Design ideas for a transitional separate dining room in Boise with grey walls, dark hardwood floors, brown floor and decorative wall panelling.

Lakeside Getaway

RLH Studio

Spacecrafting Photography
Design ideas for a small beach style kitchen/dining combo in Minneapolis with medium hardwood floors, no fireplace, white walls, brown floor, timber and planked wall panelling.

Dining Room Design Ideas with Planked Wall Panelling and Decorative Wall Panelling

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!