Inspiration for a country open plan dining in Orange County with white walls, medium hardwood floors, brown floor, timber, vaulted and planked wall panelling.

South Bay Coastal Farmhouse

White Sands Coastal Development

This 5,200-square foot modern farmhouse is located on Manhattan Beach’s Fourth Street, which leads directly to the ocean. A raw stone facade and custom-built Dutch front-door greets guests, and customized millwork can be found throughout the home. The exposed beams, wooden furnishings, rustic-chic lighting, and soothing palette are inspired by Scandinavian farmhouses and breezy coastal living. The home’s understated elegance privileges comfort and vertical space. To this end, the 5-bed, 7-bath (counting halves) home has a 4-stop elevator and a basement theater with tiered seating and 13-foot ceilings. A third story porch is separated from the upstairs living area by a glass wall that disappears as desired, and its stone fireplace ensures that this panoramic ocean view can be enjoyed year-round. This house is full of gorgeous materials, including a kitchen backsplash of Calacatta marble, mined from the Apuan mountains of Italy, and countertops of polished porcelain. The curved antique French limestone fireplace in the living room is a true statement piece, and the basement includes a temperature-controlled glass room-within-a-room for an aesthetic but functional take on wine storage. The takeaway? Efficiency and beauty are two sides of the same coin.

Contemporary Dining Room

Photo of a contemporary dining room in Orange County with white walls, medium hardwood floors, no fireplace, brown floor, coffered and timber.

Harmony Club Modern Farmhouse

restyle design, llc

This everyday dining space is so cozy and inviting. We used an indoor/outdoor rug from Dash and Albert, farmhouse table and cafe chairs in reclaimed wood, and an oversized buffet from Classic Home Furnishings. Added warmth with draperies in Pindler fabric and tongue and groove ceiling.

Olive Mill

Renga Michael Flooring, Inc.

This is a light rustic European White Oak hardwood floor.
Design ideas for an expansive transitional open plan dining in Santa Barbara with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a plaster fireplace surround, brown floor and timber.

Contemporary Farmhouse

KGA Studio Architects, PC

Design ideas for a large country dining room in Denver with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a two-sided fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, brown floor and timber.

Hermosa Beach Custom

Hudson Home

Photo of a mid-sized beach style separate dining room in Los Angeles with grey walls, medium hardwood floors, grey floor and timber.

Lee's Summit, MO Whole House Remodel

Sherri L Weaver Design LLC

Photo of a transitional kitchen/dining combo in Kansas City with medium hardwood floors, brown floor and timber.

Lakefront Beauty

Jeff Puckett Construction Inc

Modern farmhouse kitchen with rustic elements and modern conveniences.
This is an example of a large country kitchen/dining combo in Other with medium hardwood floors, beige floor and timber.

Open Shut House

WALA

Split levels - open plan living zone below and a mezzanine Study above - create a soaring atrium topped by a series of skylights that extend along the full width of the building. Photo by Dave Kulesza.

Franklin Park Residence

Purple Cherry Architects

In this transitional home, a casual breakfast nook sits adjacent to the kitchen and living room.
This is an example of a small transitional dining room in DC Metro with beige walls, medium hardwood floors, brown floor and timber.

Allandale Mid-Century Remodel

Studio Steinbomer

Dining Room
Inspiration for a mid-sized midcentury kitchen/dining combo in Austin with grey walls, medium hardwood floors, brown floor and timber.

台所と一体となった食堂ソファー

市中山居

Inspiration for a small kitchen/dining combo in Tokyo Suburbs with white walls, medium hardwood floors, no fireplace, beige floor and timber.

Serene Midcentury Modern

Whimsily

Dining with custom pendant lighting.
Design ideas for a large midcentury kitchen/dining combo in Indianapolis with white walls, medium hardwood floors, exposed beam, timber, vaulted and brown floor.

ИНТЕРЬЕР: Квартира двухуровневая с мансардой

Пётр Сафиуллин

Contemporary open plan dining in Other with white walls, medium hardwood floors, brown floor and timber.

豊川の家

株式会社結設計

This is an example of a mid-sized modern open plan dining in Other with white walls, medium hardwood floors, no fireplace, beige floor and timber.

Eclectic Traveler’s Resort

Everything Home

Every detail of this European villa-style home exudes a uniquely finished feel. Our design goals were to invoke a sense of travel while simultaneously cultivating a homely and inviting ambience. This project reflects our commitment to crafting spaces seamlessly blending luxury with functionality. This once-underused, bland formal dining room was transformed into an evening retreat, evoking the ambience of a Tangiers cigar bar. Texture was introduced through grasscloth wallpaper, shuttered cabinet doors, rattan chairs, and knotty pine ceilings. --- 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, see here: https://everythinghomedesigns.com/

Ocala, FL Home With Pecky Cypress and Midnight Heart Cypress

Goodwin Heart Pine Company

Design ideas for a large kitchen/dining combo in Orlando with brown walls, medium hardwood floors, no fireplace, brown floor, timber and wood walls.

The Evans Floor Plan as a Model Home

Bercher Homes

White parson chairs around a weathered grey rectangle table
Photo of a mid-sized arts and crafts separate dining room in Atlanta with black walls, medium hardwood floors, no fireplace, brown floor and timber.

As Hot as BLUE Blazes

RSZ Design Development

Breakfast Area
Design ideas for a mid-sized transitional dining room in Other with beige walls, medium hardwood floors, grey floor and timber.

Dining Room Design Ideas with Medium Hardwood Floors and Timber

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!