This is an example of a modern dining room in Brisbane with white walls, light hardwood floors and beige floor.

Westbourne Gardens, Notting Hill, London W2

Dining room: The dining room shares the same space as the living room and we wanted to make that space as flexible as possible. We created a full width dining/sitting bench that can be used as a flexible social space. The bench has hidden storage contains the control panel for the under floor heating. The wall units above the bench are also used for storage and give easy access for dining requirements. These units also hide the boiler and other services out of plain sight. Concealed lighting is placed under these top units.

Red Ledges

Studio McGee

Design ideas for a mid-sized country dining room in Salt Lake City with white walls and dark hardwood floors.

Martha's Vineyard

Janine Dowling Design Inc.

Janine Dowling Design, Inc. www.janinedowling.com Photographer: Michael Partenio
Design ideas for a mid-sized beach style dining room in Boston with white walls, light hardwood floors, no fireplace and beige floor.

Santa Barbara Style

White Sands Coastal Development

We remodeled this 5,400-square foot, 3-story home on ’s Second Street to give it a more current feel, with cleaner lines and textures. The result is more and less Old World Europe, which is exactly what we were going for. We worked with much of the client’s existing furniture, which has a southern flavor, compliments of its former South Carolina home. This was an additional challenge, because we had to integrate a variety of influences in an intentional and cohesive way. We painted nearly every surface white in the 5-bed, 6-bath home, and added light-colored window treatments, which brightened and opened the space. Additionally, we replaced all the light fixtures for a more integrated aesthetic. Well-selected accessories help pull the space together, infusing a consistent sense of peace and comfort.

Glenview Classic

Dual Concept Design

A transitional dining room, where we incorporated the clients' antique dining table and paired it up with chairs that are a mix of upholstery and wooden accents. A traditional navy and cream rug anchors the furniture, and dark gray walls with accents of brass, mirror and some color in the artwork and accessories pull the space together.

Mid Century Modern Remodel

Kelly Martin Interiors

This remodel was located in the Hollywood Hills of Los Angeles. The dining room features authentic mid century modern furniture and a colorful Louis Poulsen pendant.

584 Peerless Drive - Dining Room

Collective Design

Collective Design + Furnishings
Photo of a transitional dining room in Denver with white walls, dark hardwood floors and brown floor.

Hamptons Summer Home

Sean Litchfield Photography

Sean Litchfield
Photo of a transitional dining room in New York with grey walls, dark hardwood floors and decorative wall panelling.

Minnesota Residence

O’Hara Interiors

Martha O'Hara Interiors, Interior Design | L. Cramer Builders + Remodelers, Builder | Troy Thies, Photography | Shannon Gale, Photo Styling Please Note: All “related,” “similar,” and “sponsored” products tagged or listed by Houzz are not actual products pictured. They have not been approved by Martha O’Hara Interiors nor any of the professionals credited. For information about our work, please contact design@oharainteriors.com.

Jamaica Pond

Elms Interior Design

Photography by Michael J. Lee
Design ideas for a mid-sized transitional dining room in Boston with beige walls, dark hardwood floors and a standard fireplace.

Beverly Hills Modern

Lori Dennis, ASID, LEED AP

Modern Dining Room in an open floor plan, sits between the Living Room, Kitchen and Backyard Patio. The modern electric fireplace wall is finished in distressed grey plaster. Modern Dining Room Furniture in Black and white is paired with a sculptural glass chandelier. Floor to ceiling windows and modern sliding glass doors expand the living space to the outdoors.

Contemporain Salle à Manger

Photo of a contemporary dining room in Other with light hardwood floors.

Salem Townhouse Dining Room

Rehabitat

Inspiration for a transitional separate dining room in New York with green walls, dark hardwood floors and brown floor.

Eclectic Dining Room

Photo of a mid-sized eclectic dining room in Los Angeles with white walls, dark hardwood floors and brown floor.

Fairfield Home

Dorset & Pond Design

Design ideas for a transitional dining room in New York with grey walls, dark hardwood floors, no fireplace, brown floor and decorative wall panelling.

Country Estate Transformation: Dining Room

Everything Home

Our design studio designed a gut renovation of this home which opened up the floorplan and radically changed the functioning of the footprint. It features an array of patterned wallpaper, tiles, and floors complemented with a fresh palette, and statement lights. Photographer - Sarah Shields --- Project completed by Wendy Langston's Everything Home interior design firm, which serves Carmel, Zionsville, Fishers, Westfield, Noblesville, and Indianapolis. For more about Everything Home, click here: https://everythinghomedesigns.com/

Sullivan's Island Remodel

St. Pierre Construction

Dining room featuring light white oak flooring, custom built-in bench for additional seating, bookscases featuring wood shelves, horizontal shiplap walls, and a mushroom board ceiling.

Caudéran

Studio Glaziou | Architecture d'intérieur

Mid-sized transitional dining room in Bordeaux with white walls and light hardwood floors.

Glen Oak

Luminosus Designs LLC

Breakfast Area, custom bench, custom dining chair, custom window treatment, custom area rug, custom window treatment, gray, teal, cream color
Mid-sized beach style kitchen/dining combo in New York with grey walls, dark hardwood floors and no fireplace.

Dining Room Design Ideas with Light Hardwood Floors and Dark Hardwood Floors

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!