This is an example of a large transitional separate dining room in Orange County with grey walls, light hardwood floors, brown floor, a standard fireplace, a wood fireplace surround, exposed beam and decorative wall panelling.

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.

SNVT - ATTICO MILANO

Tommaso Giunchi Architetti

Sala da pranzo: sulla destra ribassamento soffitto per zona ingresso e scala che porta al piano superiore: pareti verdi e marmo verde alpi a pavimento. Frontalmente la zona pranzo con armadio in legno noce canaletto cannettato. Pavimento in parquet rovere naturale posato a spina ungherese. Mobile a destra sempre in noce con rivestimento in marmo marquinia e camino. A sinistra porte scorrevoli per accedere a diverse camere oltre che da corridoio

Queens Gate Terrace

Burbeck Interiors ltd

Transitional dining room in London with beige walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, brown floor and decorative wall panelling.

80m2 rénovés tout en douceur

ADORA Rénovation

Design ideas for a modern dining room in Paris with white walls, light hardwood floors, a corner fireplace, beige floor and decorative wall panelling.

Colosseo Domus | 150 MQ

Fontanesi Design

Soggiorno: boiserie in palissandro, camino a gas e TV 65". Pareti in grigio scuro al 6% di lucidità, finestre a profilo sottile, dalla grande capacit di isolamento acustico. --- Living room: rosewood paneling, gas fireplace and 65 " TV. Dark gray walls (6% gloss), thin profile windows, providing high sound-insulation capacity. --- Omaggio allo stile italiano degli anni Quaranta, sostenuto da impianti di alto livello. --- A tribute to the Italian style of the Forties, supported by state-of-the-art tech systems. --- Photographer: Luca Tranquilli

Neoclassical apartment

A Studio

Inspiration for an eclectic dining room in Other with beige walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a tile fireplace surround, brown floor and decorative wall panelling.

Otis Street Residence

Jill Litner Kaplan Interiors

Design ideas for a transitional kitchen/dining combo in Boston with beige walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a tile fireplace surround, brown floor, coffered and decorative wall panelling.

Country Retreat

M-Squared Contracting Inc.

Rustic yet refined, this modern country retreat blends old and new in masterful ways, creating a fresh yet timeless experience. The structured, austere exterior gives way to an inviting interior. The palette of subdued greens, sunny yellows, and watery blues draws inspiration from nature. Whether in the upholstery or on the walls, trailing blooms lend a note of softness throughout. The dark teal kitchen receives an injection of light from a thoughtfully-appointed skylight; a dining room with vaulted ceilings and bead board walls add a rustic feel. The wall treatment continues through the main floor to the living room, highlighted by a large and inviting limestone fireplace that gives the relaxed room a note of grandeur. Turquoise subway tiles elevate the laundry room from utilitarian to charming. Flanked by large windows, the home is abound with natural vistas. Antlers, antique framed mirrors and plaid trim accentuates the high ceilings. Hand scraped wood flooring from Schotten & Hansen line the wide corridors and provide the ideal space for lounging.

LAB | Tokio, Barcelona

Laboratorio de Arquitectura en Barcelona

Photo of a mid-sized contemporary open plan dining in Barcelona with grey walls, light hardwood floors, a ribbon fireplace, beige floor, decorative wall panelling, a metal fireplace surround and recessed.

Greenbush Residence

Hsu McCullough

Dining Room with outdoor patio through right doors and Living Room beyond fireplace on left
This is an example of a mid-sized scandinavian separate dining room in Los Angeles with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a two-sided fireplace, a tile fireplace surround, beige floor and decorative wall panelling.

Cole Valley Flat

Gast Architects

Inspiration for a traditional dining room in San Francisco with medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace surround and decorative wall panelling.

Completed Homes 5

Ten Oaks Homes

Dining room in Baltimore with blue walls, dark hardwood floors, a two-sided fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, brown floor, recessed and decorative wall panelling.

Woodland Heights Houston

Haven Design and Construction

The gorgeous coffered ceiling and crisp wainscoting are highlights of this lovely new home in Historic Houston, TX. The stately chandelier and relaxed woven shades set the stage for this lovely dining table and chairs. The natural light in this home make every room warm and inviting.

Traditional Dining Room

Inspiration for an expansive traditional dining room in Seattle with green walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a tile fireplace surround and decorative wall panelling.

Hancock Bungalow

Jeanne Schultz Design Studio

Farrow and Ball Hague Blue walls, trim, and ceiling. Versace Home bird wallpaper complements Farrow and Ball Hague blue accents and pink and red furniture. Grand wood beaded chandelier plays on traditional baroque design in a modern way. Old painted windows match the trim, wainscoting and walls. Existing round dining table surrounded by spray painted Carnival red dining room chairs which match the custom curtain rods in living room. Plastered ram sculpture as playful object on floor balances scale and interesting interactive piece for the child of the house.

Formal Dinning Room

Jarrod Smart Construction

Traditional separate dining room in Other with black walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, brown floor and decorative wall panelling.

Seattle Frink House

Sheila Mayden Interiors

Formal dining room with Garden-inspired decor
Expansive traditional dining room with green walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a tile fireplace surround and decorative wall panelling.

STADTHAUS | Gesundes Wohnen

RADIUSplus

Photo of a large contemporary kitchen/dining combo in Other with white walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a metal fireplace surround, beige floor and decorative wall panelling.

Espace salle à manger

La Compagnie de la Maison

Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary open plan dining in Paris with light hardwood floors, a corner fireplace and decorative wall panelling.

All Fireplaces Dining Room Design Ideas with 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!