Photo of a transitional separate dining room in New York with brown walls, medium hardwood floors, no fireplace, brown floor, exposed beam, timber, vaulted and wallpaper.

Cooks Hill

Zugai Strudwick Architects

This is an example of a mid-sized contemporary open plan dining in Newcastle - Maitland with brown walls, concrete floors, grey floor, exposed beam and decorative wall panelling.

Aspen Winter Retreat

BK Interior Design

This Aspen retreat boasts both grandeur and intimacy. By combining the warmth of cozy textures and warm tones with the natural exterior inspiration of the Colorado Rockies, this home brings new life to the majestic mountains.

Umbria

User

Photo by Matthew Niemann Photography
Inspiration for a contemporary dining room in Other with brown walls, no fireplace, beige floor, exposed beam, wood and wallpaper.

Château APH

Olivier Chabaud Architecte - Paris & Luberon

Rénovation d'une salle à manger de château, monument classé à Apremont-sur-Allier dans le style contemporain.
Photo of a contemporary dining room in Other with brown walls, beige floor, exposed beam and decorative wall panelling.

Tobacco Warehouse Duplex Apartment

Natalie Holden Interiors

Design ideas for a large eclectic open plan dining in Other with brown walls, laminate floors, brown floor and exposed beam.

Eclectic Arts + Crafts Dining Room with Fireplace + Round Marble Top Table

Jennifer Gustafson Interior Design

• Craftsman-style dining area • Furnishings + decorative accessory styling • Pedestal dining table base - Herman Miller Eames base w/custom top • Vintage wood framed dining chairs re-upholstered • Oversized floor lamp - Artemide • Burlap wall treatment • Leather Ottoman - Herman Miller Eames • Fireplace with vintage tile + wood mantel • Wood ceiling beams • Modern art

Mid-Century Modern Home

Bower Leet Design

This is an example of a small midcentury dining room in St Louis with brown walls, medium hardwood floors, brown floor, exposed beam and wood walls.

Merced

CONCEPT ONE HOMES INC

This is an example of a beach style open plan dining in Orange County with brown walls, dark hardwood floors, no fireplace, brown floor, exposed beam and panelled walls.

2576 ML

Weaver Custom Homes

Design ideas for a beach style kitchen/dining combo in Columbus with brown walls, vinyl floors, grey floor, exposed beam and panelled walls.

Сталинка в Челябинске.

Марина Кутепова

Mid-sized dining room in Other with brown walls, laminate floors, beige floor, exposed beam and brick walls.

Project 42 - Poppy Treehouse

The Main Company

Inspiration for a country dining room in London with brown walls, medium hardwood floors, brown floor, exposed beam and vaulted.

The Good Life House

Brickworks Building Products

Mid-sized country kitchen/dining combo in Sydney with brown walls, concrete floors, grey floor, exposed beam and brick walls.

2020 was a dark year

Rost Artisan Design, Build LLC

Design ideas for a mid-sized country dining room in Philadelphia with brown walls, light hardwood floors, no fireplace, brown floor, exposed beam and wood walls.

East Bay Hills

Jetton Construction, Inc.

This Marcy Wong contemporary masterpiece was lovingly updated by Jerome Buttrick to suit the client's changing lifestyle needs. Original details such as the vertical board formed concrete and end grain douglas fir flooring were preserved and restored, while new casework, architectural metal, doors, windows, masonry and landscaping were added to enhance and modernize the original vision.

Fallen Leaf Rd, South Lake Tahoe, California

K. Donavan

Country dining room in Other with brown walls, concrete floors, grey floor, exposed beam, vaulted, wood and wood walls.

Entertaining Barn

Ailtire Studio llc

Large country open plan dining in Philadelphia with brown walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, brown floor, exposed beam, vaulted, wood and wood walls.

簾と木塀で守られた大きなバルコニーがある木造３階建て住宅

角倉剛建築設計事務所

2・3階は閉じることが必要とされた部屋(納戸、トイレ、主寝室)以外は全てが繋がったおおらかな空間として、南東側は切妻の屋根形状があらわになった二層吹き抜けのリビングとしています。
Design ideas for a mid-sized asian open plan dining in Tokyo with brown walls, medium hardwood floors, no fireplace, brown floor, exposed beam and planked wall panelling.

Интерьер гостевого дома и бани «Вишера» ⠀

Smart Wood Уникальные деревянные дома

Design ideas for a country dining room in Moscow with brown walls, dark hardwood floors, brown floor, exposed beam, vaulted and wood.

Enviro-Friendly Pavilion Style Home

Fraemohs Homes

Design ideas for a scandinavian open plan dining in Christchurch with brown walls, concrete floors, no fireplace, grey floor, exposed beam and wood walls.

Dining Room Design Ideas with Brown Walls and Exposed Beam

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!