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

Dining Booth

Sakkara Residential

A small dining area in our 1 bed Notting Hill project.
This is an example of a small contemporary dining room in London with grey walls, medium hardwood floors, brown floor and panelled walls.

Main Street

NEST Design Group

Inspiration for a contemporary dining room in Houston with white walls, medium hardwood floors, brown floor and panelled walls.

Palmerston Parisian

CAB Architects

Inspiration for a modern kitchen/dining combo in Toronto with white walls, medium hardwood floors, no fireplace, brown floor and panelled walls.

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.

Dry Bar at Dining Room

Pleasant Barn Road

Dry bar in dining room. Custom millwork design with integrated panel front wine refrigerator and antique mirror glass backsplash with rosettes.
Photo of a mid-sized transitional kitchen/dining combo in New York with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a two-sided fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, brown floor, recessed and panelled walls.

Princeton Ave

Round Table Design

Photo of a transitional separate dining room in Austin with pink walls, medium hardwood floors, brown floor and panelled walls.

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.

Medium Wood Engineered Hardwood Floors | Hallmark Floors

Hallmark Floors

The Malibu Oak from the Alta Vista Collection is such a rich medium toned hardwood floor with longer and wider planks. PC: Abby Joeilers
Design ideas for a large modern separate dining room in Los Angeles with beige walls, medium hardwood floors, no fireplace, a brick fireplace surround, multi-coloured floor, vaulted and panelled walls.

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.

Elmsgate

Jenny Martin Design

custom home, custom millwork, historic home, luxury design,
Inspiration for a traditional dining room in Vancouver with white walls, medium hardwood floors, brown floor and panelled walls.

Appartement haussmannien Paris 10

10surdix

Contemporary dining room in Paris with white walls, medium 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.

Waterfront Residence

Linda Perry Design Inc.

This is an example of a mid-sized beach style open plan dining in Miami with beige walls, medium hardwood floors, brown floor, coffered and panelled walls.

Seagull Two Project

White Horse Design

Transitional separate dining room in Philadelphia with white walls, medium hardwood floors, no fireplace, brown floor, vaulted and panelled walls.

Ault View Classic Dining Room

Winding Lane Interiors

This gorgeous dining room is ready for a party! 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.

The Shores at Bonnet Point

RIKB Design Build

Whole house remodel in Narragansett RI. We reconfigured the floor plan and added a small addition to the right side to extend the kitchen. Thus creating a gorgeous transitional kitchen with plenty of room for cooking, storage, and entertaining. The dining room can now seat up to 12 with a recessed hutch for a few extra inches in the space. The new half bath provides lovely shades of blue and is sure to catch your eye! The rear of the first floor now has a private and cozy guest suite.

Pequot

Cynthia Hayes Interior Design

This is an example of a beach style dining room in Providence with white walls, medium hardwood floors, brown floor, coffered and panelled walls.

Noe Valley

Brooks McDonald Architecture

This is an example of a transitional kitchen/dining combo in San Francisco with white walls, medium hardwood floors, no fireplace, brown floor and panelled walls.

Presidio heights Revival

SKIN Interior Design

Photo of a traditional separate dining room in Chicago with orange walls, medium hardwood floors, brown floor and panelled walls.

Dining Room Design Ideas with Medium Hardwood Floors 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!