A complete new build in Adelaide's east, it stands strong with nods to contemporary barn influences.⁠
Photo of a mid-sized transitional kitchen/dining combo in Adelaide with white walls, medium hardwood floors, no fireplace and brown floor.

Anderson Street, South Yarra

Key Piece

Photo of a mid-sized contemporary open plan dining in Melbourne with white walls, medium hardwood floors and no fireplace.

Meals/Living

Third Element Studio

Transitional open plan dining in Melbourne with medium hardwood floors, no fireplace, brown floor and exposed beam.

Lake Wendouree House

de.arch

dining room
Inspiration for a large contemporary kitchen/dining combo in Melbourne with white walls, medium hardwood floors, no fireplace and exposed beam.

Elizabeth St, Five Dock

Hatch Constructions Group

Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary open plan dining in Sydney with beige walls, medium hardwood floors, no fireplace and brown floor.

dining project

Inventory Interior

Photo of a contemporary dining room in Sydney with grey walls, light hardwood floors, no fireplace, beige floor and panelled walls.

Rustic Remodel

New Rosslyn Construction

Inspiration for a small country open plan dining in Atlanta with white walls, medium hardwood floors, no fireplace and brown floor.

Whitehall Road

Julie Terrell Interior Design

Inspiration for a large beach style separate dining room in Birmingham with beige walls, medium hardwood floors, no fireplace and brown floor.

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

Southern Living Idea House

Providence Design

Michael Baxley
Photo of a large traditional open plan dining in Little Rock with white walls, medium hardwood floors and no fireplace.

Meriden Residence

Studio Steinbomer

Dining room after the renovation. Construction by RisherMartin Fine Homes Interior Design by Alison Mountain Interior Design Landscape by David Wilson Garden Design Photography by Andrea Calo

Greystone Country House

Artisan Signature Homes

Tim Furlong
Separate dining room in Louisville with blue walls, dark hardwood floors and no fireplace.

Eastover Southern Renovation

Gerrard Builders

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

A Mid-Century Modern Apartment Makeover

Décor Aid

New Yorkers are always on the prowl for innovative ways to make the most of the space they have. An upper east side couple, challenged with a slightly narrow L shaped apartment sought out Decor Aid’s help to make the most of their Manhattan condo. Paired with one of our senior designer, Kimberly P., we learned that the clients wanted a space that looked beautiful, comfortable and also packed with functionality for everyday living. “Immediately upon seeing the space, I knew that we needed to create a narrative that allowed the design to control how you moved through the space,” reports Kimberly, senior interior designer. After surveying each room and learning a bit more about their personal style, we started with the living room remodel. It was clear that the couple wanted to infuse mid-century modern into the design plan. Sourcing the Room & Board Jasper Sofa with its narrow arms and tapered legs, it offered the mid-century look, with the modern comfort the clients are used to. Velvet accent pillows from West Elm and Crate & Barrel add pops of colors but also a subtle touch of luxury, while framed pictures from the couple’s honeymoon personalize the space. Moving to the dining room next, Kimberly decided to add a blue accent wall to emphasize the Horchow two piece Percussion framed art that was to be the focal point of the dining area. The Seno sideboard from Article perfectly accentuated the mid-century style the clients loved while providing much-needed storage space. The palette used throughout both rooms were very New York style, grays, blues, beiges, and whites, to add depth, Kimberly sourced decorative pieces in a mixture of different metals. “The artwork above their bureau in the bedroom is photographs that her father took,” Moving into the bedroom renovation, our designer made sure to continue to stick to the client’s style preference while once again creating a personalized, warm and comforting space by including the photographs taken by the client’s father. The Avery bed added texture and complimented the other colors in the room, while a hidden drawer at the foot pulls out for attached storage, which thrilled the clients. A deco-inspired Faceted mirror from West Elm was a perfect addition to the bedroom due to the illusion of space it provides. The result was a bedroom that was full of mid-century design, personality, and area so they can freely move around. The project resulted in the form of a layered mid-century modern design with touches of luxury but a space that can not only be lived in but serves as an extension of the people who live there. Our designer was able to take a very narrowly shaped Manhattan apartment and revamp it into a spacious home that is great for sophisticated entertaining or comfortably lazy nights in.

Lake Union Penthouse

Ben Trogdon Architects

Inspiration for a small contemporary separate dining room in Seattle with beige walls, carpet, beige floor and no fireplace.

Greenway Parks

Ryan Street Architects

This is an example of a contemporary dining room in Dallas with white walls, medium hardwood floors, no fireplace, brown floor and wood.

Southern CT Beach Home

Allee Architecture + Design, LLC

This is an example of a large beach style separate dining room in Bridgeport with white walls, medium hardwood floors and no fireplace.

Sonoma new construction

Peter Lyons Photography

This was a new construction project photographed for Jim Clopton of McGuire Real Estate. Construction is by Lou Vierra of Vierra Fine Homes ( http://www.vierrafinehomes.com). Photography by peterlyonsphoto.com

Coastal Lake Home Remodel

Bartelt. The Remodeling Resource

Photo Credit - David Bader
This is an example of a beach style kitchen/dining combo in Milwaukee with beige walls, dark hardwood floors, no fireplace and brown floor.

Lincoln Park Renovation

Devon Grace Interiors

In the dining room, we went with a modern, moody and textural look. A few of the eye-catching details in the space are the black accent wall, housing the glass and metal doors leading to the butler’s pantry, a large dining table, dripping sculptural chandelier, and a gallery wall that covers the entire back wall.

Dining Room Design Ideas with a Ribbon Fireplace and No Fireplace

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!