Kitchen and Dining Interior Design and Remodel

Photo of a small contemporary dining room in San Francisco with grey walls, laminate floors and grey floor.

This 1990's home, located in North Vancouver's Lynn Valley neighbourhood, had high ceilings and a great open plan layout but the decor was straight out of the 90's complete with sponge painted walls in dark earth tones. The owners, a young professional couple, enlisted our help to take it from dated and dreary to modern and bright. We started by removing details like chair rails and crown mouldings, that did not suit the modern architectural lines of the home. We replaced the heavily worn wood floors with a new high end, light coloured, wood-look laminate that will withstand the wear and tear from their two energetic golden retrievers. Since the main living space is completely open plan it was important that we work with simple consistent finishes for a clean modern look. The all white kitchen features flat doors with minimal hardware and a solid surface marble-look countertop and backsplash. We modernized all of the lighting and updated the bathrooms and master bedroom as well. The only departure from our clean modern scheme is found in the dressing room where the client was looking for a more dressed up feminine feel but we kept a thread of grey consistent even in this more vivid colour scheme. This transformation, featuring the clients' gorgeous original artwork and new custom designed furnishings is admittedly one of our favourite projects to date!

Morristown Apartment

Grayscale Homes Designs

Design ideas for a mid-sized midcentury kitchen/dining combo in New York with grey walls, laminate floors and grey floor.

Mullan Trail Road, Coeur d'Alene

Nest Designs

Since the dining room is an extension of the kitchen and living room, we opted to add a garage door. This makes for easy indoor/outdoor living.
This is an example of a mid-sized country open plan dining in Seattle with grey walls, laminate floors and grey floor.

Newbiggen St

An Artful Life

This is an example of a large scandinavian open plan dining in Essex with white walls, laminate floors, a wood stove, a brick fireplace surround and grey floor.

Two Sided Two Story Room Addition

JD Kitchens

This room is the new eat-in area we created, behind the barn door is a laundry room.
Design ideas for an expansive country kitchen/dining combo in Atlanta with beige walls, laminate floors, a standard fireplace, grey floor, vaulted and decorative wall panelling.

Dining Spaces

Interior Concepts & Design, Inc.

Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary kitchen/dining combo in Seattle with white walls, laminate floors, no fireplace and grey floor.

Open Concept Main Level in this Modern Farmhouse

CJC Interiors

The main level of this modern farmhouse is open, and filled with large windows. The black accents carry from the front door through the back mudroom. The dining table was handcrafted from alder wood, then whitewashed and paired with a bench and four custom-painted, reupholstered chairs.

Cucina

ARCADE Progettazione Integrata

Foto di Michele Mascalzoni
This is an example of a mid-sized modern kitchen/dining combo in Venice with white walls, laminate floors and grey floor.

Dining Area

True Interiors

The open plan dining space was designed with the family in mind. U shaped booth seating was chosen for comfortable seating that is also perfect for entertaining guests. An indoor herb garden is placed next to the dining table for easy access from the kitchen and this adds an element of nature to the space.

Expression IV Townhome - RS

Look Master Builder

The dining room in this home is an open area eating nook. It is large enough to fit this wood table and up to six chairs. Being close to the kitchen provides a great space to entertain and the laminate floors can handle the wear and tear.

Two-tone Transitional Kitchen: A table set in wedgewood blue and white

Tesi Design, Inc. Interiors and Cabinetry

The table is set with a a decorative motif of florals and butterflies. Unique shaped placemats, matching napkin linens and deep blue glassware to adorn the dining room's tabletop. Photography: Vic Wahby Photography

North London Home

Haru Design

Photo of a small midcentury open plan dining in Other with white walls, laminate floors and grey floor.

Small Space Condo Project

WW Design Studio

This 600 S.F. condo evokes a sense of eclectic glamour with touches of warm metals, faux fur, and velvets accents. Space planning and careful balancing of scale is crucial for such a small space, when a dedicated dining and living area is a must. Infused with urban glamour this open concept is big on style. Photo: Caydence Photography

Rénovation d'un appartement en location Airbnb en Normandie

ADC l'atelier d'à côté

Inspiration for a small beach style kitchen/dining combo in Paris with white walls, laminate floors and grey floor.

North GlenoraHaus IV

Look Master Builder

The dining area in this home sits off the mudroom and has a sliding door that leads to the rear deck. There is a built in custom bar with bar fridge, glass shelf, wine rack and black wood grained thermofoil cabinets.

Morristown Apartment

Grayscale Homes Designs

Mid-sized midcentury kitchen/dining combo in New York with grey walls, laminate floors and grey floor.

Down to the studs

restyle design, llc

This ranch was a complete renovation! We took it down to the studs and redesigned the space for this young family. We opened up the main floor to create a large kitchen with two islands and seating for a crowd and a dining nook that looks out on the beautiful front yard. We created two seating areas, one for TV viewing and one for relaxing in front of the bar area. We added a new mudroom with lots of closed storage cabinets, a pantry with a sliding barn door and a powder room for guests. We raised the ceilings by a foot and added beams for definition of the spaces. We gave the whole home a unified feel using lots of white and grey throughout with pops of orange to keep it fun.

Kitchen and Dining Interior Design and Remodel

DARCO Design Construction

Inspiration for a small contemporary dining room in San Francisco with grey walls, laminate floors and grey floor.

Open Plan Kitchen Diner opening onto the garden

id8 designs ltd

Inspiration for a large contemporary open plan dining in Surrey with white walls, laminate floors and grey floor.

Dining Room Design Ideas with Laminate Floors and Grey Floor

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!