Modern furnishings meet refinished traditional details.
This is an example of a contemporary separate dining room in Boston with light hardwood floors, brown floor, grey walls, a standard fireplace, a wood fireplace surround and panelled walls.

Formal Dining Room

Great Rooms Building Group

Inspiration for a large transitional separate dining room in Chicago with grey walls, medium hardwood floors, brown floor and panelled walls.

Huntingdon Valley, PA: Transitional Farmhouse Kitchen & Open Concept Living

Bella B Home Designs

We took a new home build that was a shell and created a livable open concept space for this family of four to enjoy for years to come. The white kitchen mixed with grey island and dark floors was the start of the palette. We added in wall paneling, wallpaper, large lighting fixtures, window treatments, are rugs and neutrals fabrics so everything can be intermixed throughout the house.

Conservatory & Kitchen Extensions

Catherine Wilman Interiors

Another view I've not shared before of our extension project in Maida Vale, West London. I think this shot truly reveals the glass 'skylight' ceiling which gives the dining area such a wonderful 'outdoor-in' experience. The brief for the family home was to design a rear extension with an open-plan kitchen and dining area. The bespoke banquette seating with a soft grey fabric offers plenty of room for the family and provides useful storage under the seats. And the sliding glass doors by @maxlightltd open out onto the garden.

Dining Room

Burbeck Interiors ltd

Large transitional separate dining room in London with green walls, dark hardwood floors, brown floor 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.

Bright Lane

d2 interieurs

D2 Interieurs custom table in the dining room; the artwork by Hektad is from Westport’s Appleton Art Design.
Inspiration for a transitional separate dining room in New York with grey walls, light hardwood floors, beige floor, panelled walls and wallpaper.

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.

Padina Remodel

Ariel Bleich Design

Dining Room with floor to ceiling paneling in a soft gray, new furniture, vintage rug, chandelier and picture light and a painting commissioned for this location.

Open Concept Loft Dining and Entertainment Space

Woodhull

This is an example of an industrial dining room in Portland Maine with white walls, light hardwood floors, beige floor, exposed beam and brick walls.

Dining Room joinery and accessories

Burbeck Interiors ltd

This is an example of a small contemporary open plan dining in London with white walls, medium hardwood floors, no fireplace, brown floor and brick walls.

2576 ML

Weaver Custom Homes

Design ideas for a beach style kitchen/dining combo in Columbus with brown walls, vinyl floors, grey floor, exposed beam and panelled walls.

Ault View Classic Dining Room

Winding Lane Interiors

This gorgeous dining room is ready for a party! The colors and design were inspired by the original painting that the homeowner found in a gallery in her beloved New Orleans. The chippendale-style chairs are upholstered in a sumptuous but stain-resistant velvet, and the tortoiseshell table is almost to pretty to eat on! Blue and pink accents accentuate the fun but still classic feel of this beautiful space.

Rénovation d'appartement Haussmannien

Artem Renovatio

Design ideas for a contemporary dining room in Paris with white walls, medium hardwood floors, brown floor and panelled walls.

Prospect Hill

Lovas Architects LLC

This is an example of a traditional separate dining room in New York with green walls, dark hardwood floors, brown floor and panelled walls.

East London Semi Detached House

Beacham Architects

Garden extension with high ceiling heights as part of the whole house refurbishment project. Extensions and a full refurbishment to a semi-detached house in East London.

Form Marries Function

Ashley Campbell Interior Design

Layers of texture and high contrast in this mid-century modern dining room. Inhabit living recycled wall flats painted in a high gloss charcoal paint as the feature wall. Three-sided flare fireplace adds warmth and visual interest to the dividing wall between dining room and den.

Vancouver Special

EDSO Construction Ltd

We utilized the height and added raw plywood bookcases.
Design ideas for a large midcentury open plan dining in Vancouver with white walls, vinyl floors, a wood stove, a brick fireplace surround, white floor, vaulted and brick walls.

Vivid House

Studio Seher

Photo of a small contemporary kitchen/dining combo in Mumbai with white walls, ceramic floors, white floor and panelled walls.

Dining Room Design Ideas with Panelled Walls and Brick 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!