Architecture: Noble Johnson Architects Interior Design: Rachel Hughes - Ye Peddler Photography: Garett + Carrie Buell of Studiobuell/ studiobuell.com
This is an example of a mid-sized transitional open plan dining in Nashville with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and brown floor.

Living Room

Norris Architecture

Large country open plan dining in Austin with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a stone fireplace surround, no fireplace and brown floor.

Trevaylor Cottage

Lydia Allen Interiors

Small eclectic dining room in Cornwall with beige walls, medium hardwood floors, a wood stove, a brick fireplace surround, brown floor and exposed beam.

New Traditional

Jefferson Street Designs

This is an example of a mid-sized traditional separate dining room in DC Metro with medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and wallpaper.

Lakeside New Build

Andrea Schumacher Interiors

This open dining room has a large brown dining table and six dark green, velvet dining chairs. Two gold, pendant light fixtures hang overhead and blend with the gold accents in the chairs and table decor. A red and blue area rug sits below the table.

Brookmans Park Extension

Sai Interiors

Our Brookmans Park project was a single storey rear extension. The clients wanted to open up the back of the house to create an open plan living space. As it was such a large space we wanted to create something special which felt open but inviting at the same time. We created several zones and added pops of colour in the furniture and accessories. We created a Shoreditch vibe to the space with Crittall doors and a huge central fireplace placed in exposed London brick chimney. We then followed the exposed brick into the glass box zone. We loved the result of this project!

Estates at Southgate Showhome

Homes of Distinction, Inc.

• SEE THROUGH FIREPLACE WITH CUSTOM TRIMMED MANTLE AND MARBLE SURROUND • TWO STORY CEILING WITH CUSTOM DESIGNED WINDOW WALLS • CUSTOM TRIMMED ACCENT COLUMNS

The Back Road

Talie Jane Interiors

Brad Scott Photography
Inspiration for a mid-sized country separate dining room in Other with grey walls, medium hardwood floors, a two-sided fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and brown floor.

Born & Bred Studio - Open Plan Living, Upminster

Born & Bred Studio

Photo Credits: Anna Stathaki
Photo of a mid-sized modern dining room in London with green walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and brown floor.

Dining Room

J. Lawrence Design

Design ideas for a mid-sized country dining room in Little Rock with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and brown floor.

State St

Entablature, LLC

Photo of a mid-sized transitional separate dining room in New Orleans with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, brown floor and a wood fireplace surround.

The Art House

Joelle Uzyel

Large contemporary separate dining room in Los Angeles with white walls, medium hardwood floors, brown floor, a ribbon fireplace and a plaster fireplace surround.

Santa Barbara Transitional

JAUREGUI Architecture Interiors Construction

Inspiration for a large mediterranean open plan dining in Austin with medium hardwood floors, a stone fireplace surround, beige walls, a standard fireplace and brown floor.

Claro Dining

Collector's Specialty Woods

Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary open plan dining in Denver with white walls, medium hardwood floors, brown floor, a standard fireplace and a wood fireplace surround.

Heatilator Design Gallery

CR Gas Logs & Fireplaces

Design ideas for a mid-sized modern open plan dining in Boston with brown walls, medium hardwood floors, a two-sided fireplace, a metal fireplace surround and brown floor.

Contemporary Dining Room

Design ideas for an expansive contemporary open plan dining in Salt Lake City with grey walls, medium hardwood floors, a two-sided fireplace and a metal fireplace surround.

The Beckett

Toogood Built Homes

Walter Galaviz
This is an example of a mid-sized country open plan dining in Austin with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a metal fireplace surround and beige floor.

Spanish White Mediterranean

Maraya Interior Design

Spanish Classic Linen Colored dining room with upholstered dining chairs. A clean, contemporary white palette in this traditional Spanish Style home in Santa Barbara, California. Soft greys, beige, cream colored fabrics, hand knotted rugs and quiet light walls show off the beautiful thick arches between the living room and dining room. Stained wood beams, wrought iron lighting, and carved limestone fireplaces give a soft, comfortable feel for this summer home by the Pacific Ocean. White linen drapes with grass shades give warmth and texture to the great room. The kitchen features glass and white marble mosaic backsplash, white slabs of natural quartzite, and a built in banquet nook. The oak cabinets are lightened by a white wash over the stained wood, and medium brown wood plank flooring througout the home. Project Location: Santa Barbara, California. Project designed by Maraya Interior Design. From their beautiful resort town of Ojai, they serve clients in Montecito, Hope Ranch, Malibu, Westlake and Calabasas, across the tri-county areas of Santa Barbara, Ventura and Los Angeles, south to Hidden Hills- north through Solvang and more.

Downtown Industrial Loft

White Crane Construction

Jill Greer
Design ideas for an industrial open plan dining in Minneapolis with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a two-sided fireplace and a tile fireplace surround.

Kadur Custom Blown Glass Chandelier - Manhattan Loft Apartment

Shakuff

Our Kadur blown glass chandelier shines brightly in this modern Manhattan loft space. Pendants are made from hand-blown glass orbs with drizzled glass orb in center. Color shown: Clear/White Drizzle.

All Fireplace Surrounds Dining Room Design Ideas with Medium 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!