Lustrous, dark hardwood floors ground this classic blue and white dining room. Photography by Patrik Rytikangas
Inspiration for a large traditional separate dining room in New York with multi-coloured walls, dark hardwood floors and no fireplace.

Breezy Brentwood

Jill Wolff Interior Design

http://belairphotography.com/contact.html
Inspiration for a traditional separate dining room in Los Angeles with multi-coloured walls and medium hardwood floors.

Creative Shades of Pink Dining Room & Library Combo

Rivington Marx Interiors

This bold and imaginative dining room design is a celebration of color and texture. A dramatic raspberry red ceiling and built-in bookcase library wall set the tone, while the impressive chandelier crafted from layers of pink glass discs leads the artistic aesthetic, infusing the space with glamour and vintage charm. Furnishings include velvet diamond-quilted dining chairs in a soft mauve hue for plush comfort, a traditional wooden dining table for natural warmth, mustard gold draperies add a regal layer of contrast, echoing the metallic undertones of the brass-legged seating. Hand-painted tree murals introduce an ethereal touch, creating a transitionally designed room that is equally suited for reading, intimate dinners or grand entertaining.

Fort Greene

JMorris Design LLC

Inspiration for an eclectic dining room in New York with multi-coloured walls, medium hardwood floors, brown floor and wallpaper.

Whimsical East Atlanta Cottage Renovation

Copper Sky Design + Remodel

This is an example of an eclectic separate dining room in Atlanta with multi-coloured walls, multi-coloured floor, decorative wall panelling and wallpaper.

Chez Timothée et Alice

THE FANCY ROOM

Inspiration for an eclectic dining room in Paris with multi-coloured walls and a standard fireplace.

Westwood Park, San Francisco

Refined Interiors

This is an example of a mid-sized transitional kitchen/dining combo in San Francisco with multi-coloured walls, light hardwood floors and beige floor.

Spring Branch New Construction

Nikole Starr Interiors

Photo of a transitional separate dining room in Houston with multi-coloured walls, medium hardwood floors, brown floor, coffered and wallpaper.

Upper West Side Apartment

Deborah French Designs

Design ideas for an eclectic dining room in New York with multi-coloured walls, medium hardwood floors and brown floor.

Family Home

Stock Dutch Design

Design ideas for an eclectic kitchen/dining combo in Amsterdam with multi-coloured walls, no fireplace and grey floor.

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.

House Beautiful featured Luxury Remodel of Classic Palmolive Condo

Summer Thornton Design, Inc

Inspiration for a mid-sized traditional open plan dining in Chicago with multi-coloured walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a tile fireplace surround and brown floor.

Eklektisch Esszimmer

schöne räume ai GmbH

This is an example of a large eclectic separate dining room in Frankfurt with multi-coloured walls, medium hardwood floors and brown floor.

South Hill Renovation

Greg Robinson Architect

Haris Kenjar Photography and Design
Mid-sized arts and crafts separate dining room in Seattle with multi-coloured walls, medium hardwood floors, no fireplace and beige floor.

Park Slope Brownstone

Linda Cava

Mid-sized traditional separate dining room in New York with a standard fireplace, a tile fireplace surround and multi-coloured walls.

River House

Sally Weston Associates

Inspiration for a traditional separate dining room in Boston with multi-coloured walls.

Santa Cruz - Ocean Front Home

Lydia Lyons Designs

Wood re-used from demolition. this home had not been updated since the late 60's when it was built. Dining room looks out to the Pacific Ocean.
Large beach style open plan dining in San Francisco with dark hardwood floors and multi-coloured walls.

Christmas Cottage

Alison Kandler Interior Design

Bret Gum for Cottages and Bungalows
Eclectic separate dining room in Los Angeles with multi-coloured walls and multi-coloured floor.

Luxury Living

Kia Designs

Design ideas for a mid-sized eclectic dining room in London with brown floor, multi-coloured walls and medium hardwood floors.

Murals

Surface View

'Winter Garden Antoine' Mural from the Royal Horticultural Society collection at surfaceview.co.uk
Contemporary dining room in Berkshire with multi-coloured walls.

Dining Room Design Ideas with Multi-coloured Walls

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!