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

Pinecrest Home Remodel Japandi Style

Janet Patterson Interior Design (JPID)

Modern family and dining room with built-in media unit.
This is an example of a large modern open plan dining in Miami with beige walls, light hardwood floors, no fireplace, beige floor and panelled walls.

Hinsdale, Illinois

DDK Kitchen Design Group

What a stunning view. This custom kitchen is breathtaking from every view. These are custom cabinets from Dutch Made Inc. Inset construction and stacked cabinets. Going to the ceiling makes the room soar. The cabinets are white paint on maple. The island is a yummy walnut that is gorgeous. An island that is perfect for snacking, breakfast or doing homework with the kids. The glass doors were made to match the exterior windows with mullions. No detail was over looked. Notice the corner with the coffee makers. This is how a kitchen designer makes the kitchen perfect in beauty and function. Countertops are Taj Mahal quartzite. Photographs by @mikeakaskel. Designed by Dan and Jean Thompson

Good Bones, New Vibe, Plano

Nicole Arnold Interiors

Room by room, we’re taking on this 1970’s home and bringing it into 2021’s aesthetic and functional desires. The homeowner’s started with the bar, lounge area, and dining room. Bright white paint sets the backdrop for these spaces and really brightens up what used to be light gold walls. We leveraged their beautiful backyard landscape by incorporating organic patterns and earthy botanical colors to play off the nature just beyond the huge sliding doors. Since the rooms are in one long galley orientation, the design flow was extremely important. Colors pop in the dining room chandelier (the showstopper that just makes this room “wow”) as well as in the artwork and pillows. The dining table, woven wood shades, and grasscloth offer multiple textures throughout the zones by adding depth, while the marble tops’ and tiles’ linear and geometric patterns give a balanced contrast to the other solids in the areas. The result? A beautiful and comfortable entertaining space!

Contemporary apartment by Whitespace

Whitespace

Sunny, airy and carefree, the dining room is the epitome of a breezy summer’s day. A large open display unit filled with handpicked curios stimulates visual interest while adding cheer to the decor scheme. “We perpetuated the living room aesthetic with a base palette of white, while cutting the monotony with bright yellows and blues. We were particular about maintaining a European sensibility by way of colour, material and texture. We used royal blues, whites, greys and wines to curate a colour spectrum reminiscent of Europe. We complemented these hues with muted fabrics and subtle patterns, and plenty of pine wood.

Grade II* Listed, Country House

User

Transitional separate dining room in Hertfordshire with white walls, medium hardwood floors, no fireplace, brown floor, exposed beam and panelled walls.

Quai Sarrail

Aurélia Granier

Transitional open plan dining in Lyon with grey walls, medium hardwood floors, no fireplace, brown floor and panelled walls.

Ethan Manor at Coventry Reserve

Keystone Custom Homes

Design ideas for a transitional separate dining room in Philadelphia with multi-coloured walls, medium hardwood floors, no fireplace, brown floor, panelled walls, decorative wall panelling and wallpaper.

French Influences on an Urban Residence

Stalburg Design

Large transitional separate dining room in Detroit with white walls, light hardwood floors, brown floor, no fireplace and panelled walls.

East Willowdale

Pizzale Design Inc.

Inspiration for a small modern separate dining room in Toronto with white walls, medium hardwood floors, no fireplace, brown floor and panelled walls.

Beardsley Lane

Lauren Turner Design

Inspiration for a transitional separate dining room in Austin with multi-coloured walls, medium hardwood floors, no fireplace, brown floor, panelled walls and wallpaper.

Dining Room

Shapiro & Company Architects

Traditional separate dining room in Nashville with white walls, no fireplace and panelled walls.

Reception Room & Dining Room

Emma Tutill Ltd

Inspiration for a large traditional separate dining room in Essex with beige walls, medium hardwood floors, no fireplace, brown floor and panelled walls.

Urban to Suburban Project

Hibou Design & Co.

This is an example of a large transitional separate dining room in Montreal with green walls, medium hardwood floors, no fireplace, brown floor and panelled walls.

Jimbell St Additions

steelehouse

Design ideas for a mid-sized modern kitchen/dining combo in Perth with white walls, concrete floors, grey floor, vaulted, panelled walls and no fireplace.

Malvern Antique Farmhouse

lisa furey interiors

This is an example of a transitional separate dining room in Philadelphia with yellow walls, dark hardwood floors, no fireplace, brown floor, panelled walls, decorative wall panelling and wallpaper.

28 Ascot Ridge

Jon Bijari Custom Homes

This is an example of a transitional separate dining room in New York with grey walls, medium hardwood floors, no fireplace, brown floor, coffered and panelled walls.

Montauk Home

DSdezines Interiors

Inspiration for a transitional dining room in Melbourne with white walls, medium hardwood floors, no fireplace, brown floor, panelled walls and decorative wall panelling.

Transitional Dining Room

Design ideas for a large transitional dining room in Vancouver with black walls, medium hardwood floors, no fireplace, brown floor, coffered, panelled walls and wallpaper.

Farmhouse on the Lake

SKD Architects

Saari & Forrai Photography MSI Custom Homes, LLC
Photo of a large country kitchen/dining combo in Minneapolis with white walls, medium hardwood floors, no fireplace, brown floor, coffered and panelled walls.

Dining Room Design Ideas with No Fireplace and Panelled 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!