View to double-height dining room
Inspiration for a large contemporary open plan dining in Melbourne with white walls, concrete floors, a wood stove, a brick fireplace surround, grey floor, exposed beam and panelled walls.

Столовая

Фотограф Михаил Поморцев / Pro.Foto

Дизайнер характеризует стиль этой квартиры как романтичная эклектика: «Здесь совмещены разные времена (старая и новая мебель), советское прошлое и настоящее, уральский колорит и европейская классика. Мне хотелось сделать этот проект с уральским акцентом». На книжном стеллаже — скульптура-часы «Хозяйка Медной горы и Данила Мастер», каслинское литьё.

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.

Industrial Minimalism

Revamper Interior Design

Photo of a mid-sized industrial open plan dining in Sydney with white walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a concrete fireplace surround, brown floor, exposed beam and brick walls.

Formal Dining Room Lighting

Fratantoni Luxury Estates Design/Build/Remodeling

Formal dining room with bricks & masonry, double entry doors, exposed beams, and recessed lighting.
Design ideas for an expansive country separate dining room in Phoenix with multi-coloured walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, brown floor, exposed beam and brick walls.

Northcote House

Into interior design

Mid-sized contemporary dining room in London with grey walls, light hardwood floors, no fireplace, beige floor, exposed beam and wallpaper.

Dining Area

Beth Howley Creative LLC

Large open-concept dining room featuring a black and gold chandelier, wood dining table, mid-century dining chairs, hardwood flooring, black windows, and shiplap walls.

Eclectic Dining Room

Brexton Cole Interiors

Faux Fireplace found at Antique store
Inspiration for a large eclectic kitchen/dining combo in DC Metro with white walls, dark hardwood floors, exposed beam, wallpaper, a standard fireplace and brown floor.

Cliffside Farmhouse // Modern Farmhouse

Younger Homes

Design ideas for a mid-sized country kitchen/dining combo in Austin with white walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, brown floor, exposed beam and planked wall panelling.

The Branches

Elle Du Monde LLC

Large country dining room in Atlanta with light hardwood floors, exposed beam and wallpaper.

Outside Perspective

Waterlily Interiors

Stylish Productions
Beach style dining room in Baltimore with white walls, multi-coloured floor, exposed beam, vaulted and planked wall panelling.

Courtyard House

Anthony W Design

Inspiration for a modern open plan dining in Phoenix with light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, exposed beam and brick walls.

Transitional Dining Room

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.

Post + Beam Reimagined

Melinda Mandell Interior Design

Originally, the dining layout was too small for our clients needs. We reconfigured the space to allow for a larger dining table to entertain guests. Adding the layered lighting installation helped to define the longer space and bring organic flow and loose curves above the angular custom dining table. The door to the pantry is disguised by the wood paneling on the wall.

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.

Fox Hills

Марина Пенние

Кухня Lottoccento, стол Cattelan Italia, стлуья GUBI
This is an example of a country dining room in Moscow with beige walls, porcelain floors, grey floor, exposed beam and wood walls.

lustre

Variant Office Architecture & Interiors

Mid-sized scandinavian open plan dining in London with concrete floors, grey floor, exposed beam and brick walls.

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.

Saint Peter House

Cafeina Design

Designed from a “high-tech, local handmade” philosophy, this house was conceived with the selection of locally sourced materials as a starting point. Red brick is widely produced in San Pedro Cholula, making it the stand-out material of the house. An artisanal arrangement of each brick, following a non-perpendicular modular repetition, allowed expressivity for both material and geometry-wise while maintaining a low cost. The house is an introverted one and incorporates design elements that aim to simultaneously bring sufficient privacy, light and natural ventilation: a courtyard and interior-facing terrace, brick-lattices and windows that open up to selected views. In terms of the program, the said courtyard serves to articulate and bring light and ventilation to two main volumes: The first one comprised of a double-height space containing a living room, dining room and kitchen on the first floor, and bedroom on the second floor. And a second one containing a smaller bedroom and service areas on the first floor, and a large terrace on the second. Various elements such as wall lamps and an electric meter box (among others) were custom-designed and crafted for the house.

BEACH HOUSE ON THE BAY

JN Interior Spaces

BAR VIGNETTE
Photo of a beach style kitchen/dining combo in Boston with white walls, medium hardwood floors, exposed beam, wallpaper, no fireplace and beige floor.

All Wall Treatments Dining Room Design Ideas with 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!