Inspiration for a contemporary dining room in Dublin with white walls and medium hardwood floors.

Photo of a mid-sized contemporary kitchen/dining combo in San Francisco with white walls, medium hardwood floors 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.

The Dining Room

Landmark Homes

Photo of a large traditional dining room in Other with medium hardwood floors, no fireplace, grey walls and brown floor.

3 Beachsdie Drive- Carillon Beach Renovation

Grand Floridian Builders, Inc.

Mid-sized beach style kitchen/dining combo in Miami with medium hardwood floors, no fireplace and beige walls.

Modern Luxury with a View

Giffin & Crane General Contractors, Inc.

Dining and family area.
Photo of an expansive contemporary open plan dining in Santa Barbara with white walls, medium hardwood floors and no fireplace.

Cross Lake 4

Lands End Development - Designers & Builders

This is an example of a large country open plan dining in Minneapolis with medium hardwood floors.

c. 1720 Residence | Kennett Square, PA

Period Architecture Ltd.

Angle Eye Photography
Large country separate dining room in Philadelphia with white walls, medium hardwood floors, no fireplace and brown floor.

Eagle Harbor Cabin

FINNE Architects

The Eagle Harbor Cabin is located on a wooded waterfront property on Lake Superior, at the northerly edge of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, about 300 miles northeast of Minneapolis. The wooded 3-acre site features the rocky shoreline of Lake Superior, a lake that sometimes behaves like the ocean. The 2,000 SF cabin cantilevers out toward the water, with a 40-ft. long glass wall facing the spectacular beauty of the lake. The cabin is composed of two simple volumes: a large open living/dining/kitchen space with an open timber ceiling structure and a 2-story “bedroom tower,” with the kids’ bedroom on the ground floor and the parents’ bedroom stacked above. The interior spaces are wood paneled, with exposed framing in the ceiling. The cabinets use PLYBOO, a FSC-certified bamboo product, with mahogany end panels. The use of mahogany is repeated in the custom mahogany/steel curvilinear dining table and in the custom mahogany coffee table. The cabin has a simple, elemental quality that is enhanced by custom touches such as the curvilinear maple entry screen and the custom furniture pieces. The cabin utilizes native Michigan hardwoods such as maple and birch. The exterior of the cabin is clad in corrugated metal siding, offset by the tall fireplace mass of Montana ledgestone at the east end. The house has a number of sustainable or “green” building features, including 2x8 construction (40% greater insulation value); generous glass areas to provide natural lighting and ventilation; large overhangs for sun and snow protection; and metal siding for maximum durability. Sustainable interior finish materials include bamboo/plywood cabinets, linoleum floors, locally-grown maple flooring and birch paneling, and low-VOC paints.

Life On Longview

Delphinium Design

Detailed shot of the dining room and sunroom in Charlotte, NC complete with vaulted ceilings, exposed beams, large, black dining room chandelier, wood dining table and fabric and wood dining room chairs, light blue accent chairs, roman shades and custom window treatments.

Timeless Sedona - Dining Room

Stephanie Larsen Interior Design and Associates

Interior Design: Stephanie Larsen Interior Design Photography: Steven Thompson
Inspiration for a modern kitchen/dining combo in Phoenix with white walls, medium hardwood floors 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.

Queens Gate Terrace

Burbeck Interiors ltd

Transitional dining room in London with beige walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, brown floor and decorative wall panelling.

London Kitchen

Keep Interior Design

Transitional dining room in London with white walls, medium hardwood floors and brown floor.

Appartement - Popincourt - Paris 11

CLAAAC - architecture intérieure et décoration

Rénovation complète de cet appartement plein de charme au coeur du 11ème arrondissement de Paris. Nous avons redessiné les espaces pour créer une chambre séparée, qui était autrefois une cuisine. Dans la grande pièce à vivre, parquet Versailles d'origine et poutres au plafond. Nous avons créé une grande cuisine intégrée au séjour / salle à manger. Côté ambiance, du béton ciré et des teintes bleu perle côtoient le charme de l'ancien pour donner du contraste et de la modernité à l'appartement.

Color Forward

DEW Design Company

Contrast trim and a built-in upholstered banquette bench set off this dining area. We kept the original flooring with exposed dowel heads and added a vintage wood veneer light fixture above the marble top tulip dining table. But the real showstopper is the velvet cushion with an almost neon dragon print - and it's comfortable too. Design: @dewdesignchicago Photography: @erinkonrathphotography Styling: Natalie Marotta Style

Portman House

Juliet Murphy Photography

This is an example of a mid-sized midcentury open plan dining in London with multi-coloured walls, medium hardwood floors and brown floor.

Eagle Rock Craftsman Renovation

Julia Chasman Design

Design ideas for an eclectic dining room in Los Angeles with white walls, medium hardwood floors and brown floor.

Contemporaneo Sala Da Pranzo

Large contemporary separate dining room in Other with white walls, medium hardwood floors, brown floor, recessed and decorative wall panelling.

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.

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!