Inspiration for a mid-sized eclectic separate dining room in New York with white walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a tile fireplace surround and beige floor.

Beverly Hills Modern

Lori Dennis, ASID, LEED AP

Modern Dining Room in an open floor plan, sits between the Living Room, Kitchen and Outdoor 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.

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.

Tuckborough Urban Farmhouse

Swanson Homes

An open main floor optimizes the use of your space and allows for easy transitions. This open-concept kitchen, dining and sun room provides the perfect scene for guests to move from dinner to a cozy conversation by the fireplace.

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.

LBJ's Mom's House

J.Fisher Interiors

Design ideas for a mid-sized country kitchen/dining combo in Austin with white walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a plaster fireplace surround and beige floor.

The Colony

Elevation Design Group

Photo of a large arts and crafts open plan dining in Salt Lake City with white walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and a stone fireplace surround.

Dining Room

Cynthia J. Hoffman Interior Design, Inc.

Italian pendant lighting stands out against the custom graduated slate fireplace, custom old-growth redwood slab dining table with casters, contemporary high back host chairs with stainless steel nailhead trim, custom wool area rug, custom hand-planed walnut buffet with sliding doors and drawers, hand-planed Port Orford cedar beams, earth plaster walls and ceiling. Joel Berman glass sliding doors with stainless steel barn door hardware Photo:: Michael R. Timmer

St. Helena, CA

Paulina Perrault Interiors

Mitchell Shenker Photography
This is an example of a mid-sized country kitchen/dining combo in San Francisco with beige walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and a stone fireplace surround.

West Vancouver Home Renovation - Dining Room

PlaidFox Studio

Inspiration for a large beach style separate dining room in Vancouver with grey walls, light hardwood floors, brown floor, a standard fireplace and a brick fireplace surround.

Isabella

Aleck Wilson Architects

Matthew Millman Photography http://www.matthewmillman.com/
Mid-sized traditional open plan dining in San Francisco with brown walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and beige floor.

"green" remodel

Mahoney Architects & Interiors

Custom dining table with built-in lazy susan. Light fixture by Ingo Mauer: Oh Mei Ma.
Mid-sized contemporary kitchen/dining combo in San Francisco with white walls, light hardwood floors, a two-sided fireplace, beige floor and a metal fireplace surround.

The Bedford House

Lori Dennis Interior Design

Classique Chic Salle à Manger

This is an example of a large transitional dining room in Nantes with blue walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and a stone fireplace surround.

K+K Residence Kitchenquart

CCdesign Partnerships

An open plan on the main floor that flows from living room, dining room to kitchen. The dark wood, white shaker cabinets and black accents are used uniquely in each area but ties all 3 spaces together for a cohesive great room.

New Home & ADU

Reliance Design Build

This is an example of a large transitional kitchen/dining combo in Los Angeles with green walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a wood fireplace surround and vaulted.

Small Dinning room design idea

Yantram Animation Studio

there is a spacious area to seat together in Dinning area. In the dinning area there is wooden dinning table with white sofa chairs, stylish pendant lights, well designed wall ,Windows to see outside view, grey curtains, showpieces on the table. In this design of dinning room there is good contrast of brownish wall color and white sofa.

Classic Meets Contemporary

Eagleview Construction

Ryan Salisbury
Mid-sized transitional open plan dining in Toronto with white walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a wood fireplace surround and brown floor.

Chicago - DeSitter Flooring / Synergy Remodeling

DeSitter Flooring

Ryan Ocasio Photography
This is an example of a mid-sized transitional open plan dining in Chicago with white walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a concrete fireplace surround and brown floor.

Formal Dining Room Fireplace

Fratantoni Design / Residential Architects

This gorgeous formal dining room has a custom stone fireplace.
This is an example of an expansive traditional kitchen/dining combo in Phoenix with beige walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and a stone fireplace surround.

All Fireplace Surrounds Dining Room Design Ideas with Light 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!