Photo: Lisa Petrole
Inspiration for an expansive modern open plan dining in San Francisco with porcelain floors, a ribbon fireplace, a tile fireplace surround, grey floor and grey walls.

Modern House Remodeling Project @ Willows

VMAX LLC

Anna Zagorodna
This is an example of a mid-sized contemporary dining room in Richmond with grey walls, medium hardwood floors, a tile fireplace surround and a ribbon fireplace.

Dining room with new fireplace

Lisa Robazza Design

This used to be the living room! The renovation plan dictated that this would be a better dining room. A new gas fireplace with storage was added. The front window was replaced with french doors which open onto the front porch. An expandable dining table allows for both small and large gatherings. Photos: Dave Remple

Weehawken

Design Depot

This is an example of a small modern separate dining room in New York with grey walls, dark hardwood floors, a ribbon fireplace and a tile fireplace surround.

Dining room coffered ceiling

Woodbeam Company Inc.

Cofferred ceiling beams by the Woodbeam Company. Finely crafted real wood box beams that are light weight, easy to install and cost effective. Supplying western Canada. Beams finished in a partial reclaimed texture.

Open Floor Plan Single Family House Los Angeles

GAVIN GREEN HOME DESIGN LLC

This sophisticated luxurious contemporary transitional dining area features custom-made adjustable maple wood table with brass finishes, velvet upholstery treatment chairs with detailed welts in contrast colors, grasscloth wallcovering, gold chandeliers and champagne architectural design details.

Contemporary Fireplace Design in Andersonville

Habitar Design

Designer, Kapan Shipman, created two contemporary fireplaces and unique built-in displays in this historic Andersonville home. The living room cleverly uses the unique angled space to house a sleek stone and wood fireplace with built in shelving and wall-mounted tv. We also custom built a vertical built-in closet at the back entryway as a mini mudroom for extra storage at the door. In the open-concept dining room, a gorgeous white stone gas fireplace is the focal point with a built-in credenza buffet for the dining area. At the front entryway, Kapan designed one of our most unique built ins with floor-to-ceiling wood beams anchoring white pedestal boxes for display. Another beauty is the industrial chic stairwell combining steel wire and a dark reclaimed wood bannister.

Montclair Luxury Basement

JSE Interiors

Inspiration for a large mediterranean dining room in New York with grey walls, a ribbon fireplace, a tile fireplace surround and grey floor.

Discover and Explore Exclusive Flooring in San Francisco

Galleher Hardwood Flooring

Large contemporary open plan dining in Los Angeles with grey walls, medium hardwood floors, a ribbon fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and brown floor.

Garden Pavilion

Frasier-Martis Architects, P.C.

Jerry Kessler
Inspiration for a large contemporary open plan dining in Omaha with grey walls, a ribbon fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and limestone floors.

Roswell Model Home

ALX Interiors, Inc, Alexandra Fernandez

Zbig Jedrus
Mid-sized contemporary open plan dining in New York with grey walls, dark hardwood floors, a ribbon fireplace and brown floor.

North Of Nell

Cathers Home Furniture + Interior Design

Photo of a small modern kitchen/dining combo in Denver with grey walls, light hardwood floors, beige floor, a ribbon fireplace and a stone fireplace surround.

Umatilla

Realarchitecture Ltd

Design ideas for a mid-sized contemporary open plan dining in Denver with grey walls, medium hardwood floors, a ribbon fireplace, a metal fireplace surround and brown floor.

New Transitional Custom Home Overlooking the First Green in Bay Hill

Element Home Builders

Photo of a large transitional dining room in Orlando with grey walls, dark hardwood floors, a ribbon fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and brown floor.

BASEMENT NEW LIFE

Carlo Carossio

studio http://www.elipsdesign.com/portfolio/4ms
Photo of a contemporary kitchen/dining combo in London with grey walls, a ribbon fireplace and a concrete fireplace surround.

Palo Alto Green House 2014

Tali Hardonag Architect

Palo Alto mid century Coastwise house renovation, creating open loft concept. Focusing on sustainability, green materials and designed for aging in place, the home took on an industrial style. Clear stained engineered parallam lumber and black steel accents expose the structure of loft and clerestory. A vertically aligned fireplace by Ortal Fireplace is inset behind a patina'ed sheet metal panel and wrapped in a plaster surround hand finished with American Clay. American Clay artist: Orit Yanai, San Francisco Steel artist: Lee Crowley, http://www.leecrowleyart.com Color Consulting: Penelope Jones Interior Design Photo: Mark Pinkerton vi360 Steel cable rail. Uprights are custom made steel supported on cantilevered engineered lumber beams.

Hasserton - Transitional Prairie Style Lakefront

Visbeen Architects

The Hasserton is a sleek take on the waterfront home. This multi-level design exudes modern chic as well as the comfort of a family cottage. The sprawling main floor footprint offers homeowners areas to lounge, a spacious kitchen, a formal dining room, access to outdoor living, and a luxurious master bedroom suite. The upper level features two additional bedrooms and a loft, while the lower level is the entertainment center of the home. A curved beverage bar sits adjacent to comfortable sitting areas. A guest bedroom and exercise facility are also located on this floor.

Transitional Dining Room

Infinity from Marvin Ohio

Transitional contemporary dining room featuring Infinity from Marvin sliding French doors to a covered patio with fireplace.
Design ideas for a contemporary dining room in Columbus with grey walls, dark hardwood floors, a stone fireplace surround and a ribbon fireplace.

North Of Nell

Cathers Home Furniture + Interior Design

Small transitional open plan dining in Denver with grey walls, light hardwood floors, a ribbon fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and beige floor.

SKG DESIGNS Project :: Red Rock West Gate Remodel

RIVER NORTH

Lydia Cutter Photography
Photo of a large contemporary open plan dining in Las Vegas with grey walls, porcelain floors, a ribbon fireplace, a tile fireplace surround and grey floor.

Dining Room Design Ideas with Grey Walls and a Ribbon Fireplace

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!