This is an example of a mid-sized arts and crafts open plan dining in Louisville with grey walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a wood fireplace surround and brown floor.

Central Park West

Michele Bitter Designs

Mark Roskams
This is an example of a large transitional open plan dining in New York with grey walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and a wood fireplace surround.

French Country Estate in The Pecans - Queen Creek, AZ

I PLAN, LLC - Architectural Design

I PLAN, LLC
Photo of a large separate dining room in Phoenix with grey walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a wood fireplace surround and brown floor.

Midland, Kitchen

Colleen Gahry-Robb for Ethan Allen Auburn Hills,MI

Colleen Gahry-Robb, Interior Designer / Ethan Allen, Auburn Hills, MI
Inspiration for a transitional kitchen/dining combo in Detroit with grey walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a wood fireplace surround and brown floor.

Falling Water Lodge

Modern Rustic Homes

Tom Harper
Inspiration for a mid-sized arts and crafts open plan dining in Atlanta with grey walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and a wood fireplace surround.

Shaw Floorte'

Floors Floors Floors NJ

This is an example of a mid-sized transitional open plan dining in New York with grey walls, light hardwood floors, a ribbon fireplace and a wood fireplace surround.

Hawthorne Residential Remodel & Interior Design

User

Photography by Cassandra Monroe
Large transitional open plan dining in Other with grey walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a wood fireplace surround and brown floor.

Luxury High Rise Residence Decoration for Ali Agaoglu

Sezen Ulubay

Photo of a large traditional open plan dining in Other with grey walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and a wood fireplace surround.

Estate Residence

Eolo A&I Design

Inspiration for a large contemporary separate dining room in Miami with a wood fireplace surround, grey walls and dark hardwood floors.

Dining Rooms

Nicole Brault Design Inc.

All details make it so unique. Dining table wood and acrylic. Leather and wooden chairs.
This is an example of a large eclectic dining room in Montreal with grey walls, ceramic floors, a standard fireplace and a wood fireplace surround.

New Canaan CT

Julie Thome Draperies, Inc.

Large contemporary separate dining room in New York with grey walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a wood fireplace surround and brown floor.

Soho Chandelier

Cardello Lighting & Electric Supply

Like a scenic city skyline, Soho captures and keeps your attention. Cylindrical tubes in a black finish create a stark contrast against any backdrop. Arrange the tubes in a pattern that works for your space: aligned in unison, staggered and random, or as a spiral. From a single fixture to a complete home or commercial lighting design, Cardello is ready to serve you. © Elan

Квартира для подруги

Марина Кутепова

Photo of a large traditional kitchen/dining combo in Other with grey walls, laminate floors, a wood fireplace surround, brown floor, exposed beam and wallpaper.

LA JOLLA CONTEMPORARY

SYLVIA BEEZ - M.A.P. INTERIORS

A warm, yet contemporary nest high above the ocean, with breathtaking views in La Jolla, California.
Design ideas for a large contemporary kitchen/dining combo in Orange County with grey walls, dark hardwood floors, a two-sided fireplace and a wood fireplace surround.

Studio City New Construction

Landmark Construction Crew

Dining Room of the New house construction in Studio City which included the installation of dining room ceiling, dining room wall painting, dining room flooring and dining room lighting.

Full Family Home Design - Bethesda, MD

Natalie Nunes Interior Design, LLC

Dining for the Aesthete! Antique Side Board, Dining Chairs and Wall Mirror. Love the juxtaposition of the crystal chandelier and the painted furniture.

Holiday Charm Living and Dining Room

Pierre Jean-Baptiste Interiors

New beige and teal tones encompass this living and dining space of this family’s home. A metallic ceiling paint was used with the new different lighting fixtures to accent the areas in need. Phillips Hue LED lighting bulbs were used throughout the space including in the ceiling fixtures so that the intensity and mood of the room can simply be controlled by an app on the clients phone. Accent tables were added to the space for guests and residents to place cocktails during a conversation. Mahogany wood tones make the room more transitional. The dining chairs are upholstered with a custom patterned front to add the needed texture to the space. Accent tables were added to the foyer space for use as a temporary placeholder for keys and other pocket items as guests and residents place their shoes on or off.

Row House First Floor Renovation

Modern Traditions Interior Design LLC

Photo Credit: Eastman Creative
Mid-sized transitional open plan dining in Richmond with grey walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a wood fireplace surround and brown floor.

Keene Victorian

ASAP Painting & Finishing LLC

Photo of an expansive traditional open plan dining in Boston with grey walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a wood fireplace surround, brown floor, coffered and panelled walls.

Luxury Family Home

Fishpools Furniture Store & Interior Designers

A careful yet fresh colour palette creates a series of bright and modern rooms for this luxury home. Ornaments and plants add personality with sumptuous materials used for a sophisticated finish. Photo Credit: Robert Mills

Dining Room Design Ideas with Grey Walls and a Wood Fireplace Surround

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!