Design ideas for a traditional dining room in Charlotte with grey walls, light hardwood floors and no fireplace.

This traditional family home in the Coronado community has both charm and function. White beadboard ceilings, crown molding and a beautifully selected neutral color palette create the ultimate timeless beauty.

Waterfront Wonderland

JMDG Architecture | Planning + Interiors

Dining Room with Waterfront View
Beach style dining room in Miami with green walls, light hardwood floors and no fireplace.

Watercolor Red Cedar

L. Hamilton & Co. - Dwell

A coastal dining space with an elegant chandelier and upholstered dining chairs. The wall consists of shiplap, mirrors, with light and airy drapes.
This is an example of a beach style dining room with white walls, light hardwood floors, no fireplace and beige floor.

Los Altos House

Dotter & Solfjeld Architecture + Design

Design ideas for a mid-sized contemporary kitchen/dining combo in San Francisco with white walls, light hardwood floors and no fireplace.

Golden Valley ala Mod

Showcase Renovations, Inc.

The kitchen wall of clear vertical grain Douglas fir transitions to the dining area. Note the "portal" above the wall, which is an air supply. The baseboard heating is dressed up with perforated stainless steel shrouds. The flooring is Character Grade engineered white oak, Terra Legno Beach Sand.

Charles Street Apartment

nune

Inspiration for a scandinavian dining room in New York with white walls, light hardwood floors and no fireplace.

Transitional Dining Room

Design ideas for a transitional separate dining room in Los Angeles with black walls, light hardwood floors and no fireplace.

Austin Victorian

Chango

Austin Victorian by Chango & Co. Architectural Advisement & Interior Design by Chango & Co. Architecture by William Hablinski Construction by J Pinnelli Co. Photography by Sarah Elliott

Presidio Heights Curated Contemporary

Regan Baker Design Inc.

Well-traveled. Relaxed. Timeless. Our well-traveled clients were soon-to-be empty nesters when they approached us for help reimagining their Presidio Heights home. The expansive Spanish-Revival residence originally constructed in 1908 had been substantially renovated 8 year prior, but needed some adaptations to better suit the needs of a family with three college-bound teens. We evolved the space to be a bright, relaxed reflection of the family’s time together, revising the function and layout of the ground-floor rooms and filling them with casual, comfortable furnishings and artifacts collected abroad. One of the key changes we made to the space plan was to eliminate the formal dining room and transform an area off the kitchen into a casual gathering spot for our clients and their children. The expandable table and coffee/wine bar means the room can handle large dinner parties and small study sessions with similar ease. The family room was relocated from a lower level to be more central part of the main floor, encouraging more quality family time, and freeing up space for a spacious home gym. In the living room, lounge-worthy upholstery grounds the space, encouraging a relaxed and effortless West Coast vibe. Exposed wood beams recall the original Spanish-influence, but feel updated and fresh in a light wood stain. Throughout the entry and main floor, found artifacts punctate the softer textures — ceramics from New Mexico, religious sculpture from Asia and a quirky wall-mounted phone that belonged to our client’s grandmother.

Humphrey House

Penny Black Interiors LLC.

The architecture of this mid-century ranch in Portland’s West Hills oozes modernism’s core values. We wanted to focus on areas of the home that didn’t maximize the architectural beauty. The Client—a family of three, with Lucy the Great Dane, wanted to improve what was existing and update the kitchen and Jack and Jill Bathrooms, add some cool storage solutions and generally revamp the house. We totally reimagined the entry to provide a “wow” moment for all to enjoy whilst entering the property. A giant pivot door was used to replace the dated solid wood door and side light. We designed and built new open cabinetry in the kitchen allowing for more light in what was a dark spot. The kitchen got a makeover by reconfiguring the key elements and new concrete flooring, new stove, hood, bar, counter top, and a new lighting plan. Our work on the Humphrey House was featured in Dwell Magazine.

OC Ranch Remodel

Studio McGee

Design ideas for a mid-sized beach style separate dining room in Salt Lake City with white walls, light hardwood floors and no fireplace.

Hoboken Industrial loft

Depole Design llc

Creating a cohesive room with the powerful architectural elements of brick, copper and massive ceiling heights. The addition of a custom panting by artist RUBIN completed the space by tying the palette to all the disparate finishes.

Transitional Elegance in Dallas

Platinum Homes by Mark Molthan

Photo of a transitional separate dining room in Dallas with beige walls, light hardwood floors and no fireplace.

Park Road Remodel

AllenBuilt, Inc.

Mid-sized midcentury open plan dining in DC Metro with white walls, light hardwood floors, beige floor and no fireplace.

Forest Manor Model Home

Laura Bendik Interiors

Inspiration for a traditional dining room in DC Metro with beige walls and light hardwood floors.

We Game to Please

Tracy Lynn Studio

Ryan Garvin
Design ideas for a mediterranean separate dining room in San Diego with grey walls, light hardwood floors and no fireplace.

Canyon House

Gustave Carlson Design

Gustave Carlson Design
Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional open plan dining in San Francisco with white walls, light hardwood floors, beige floor and no fireplace.

Menlo Park

Regan Baker Design Inc.

Inspiration for a midcentury dining room in San Francisco with white walls, light hardwood floors, no fireplace and beige floor.

Portfolio

Studio SHK

Photo of a contemporary dining room in San Francisco with white walls and light hardwood floors.

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!