Download our free ebook, Creating the Ideal Kitchen. DOWNLOAD NOW This unit, located in a 4-flat owned by TKS Owners Jeff and Susan Klimala, was remodeled as their personal pied-à-terre, and doubles as an Airbnb property when they are not using it. Jeff and Susan were drawn to the location of the building, a vibrant Chicago neighborhood, 4 blocks from Wrigley Field, as well as to the vintage charm of the 1890’s building. The entire 2 bed, 2 bath unit was renovated and furnished, including the kitchen, with a specific Parisian vibe in mind. Although the location and vintage charm were all there, the building was not in ideal shape -- the mechanicals -- from HVAC, to electrical, plumbing, to needed structural updates, peeling plaster, out of level floors, the list was long. Susan and Jeff drew on their expertise to update the issues behind the walls while also preserving much of the original charm that attracted them to the building in the first place -- heart pine floors, vintage mouldings, pocket doors and transoms. Because this unit was going to be primarily used as an Airbnb, the Klimalas wanted to make it beautiful, maintain the character of the building, while also specifying materials that would last and wouldn’t break the budget. Susan enjoyed the hunt of specifying these items and still coming up with a cohesive creative space that feels a bit French in flavor. Parisian style décor is all about casual elegance and an eclectic mix of old and new. Susan had fun sourcing some more personal pieces of artwork for the space, creating a dramatic black, white and moody green color scheme for the kitchen and highlighting the living room with pieces to showcase the vintage fireplace and pocket doors. Photographer: @MargaretRajic Photo stylist: @Brandidevers Do you have a new home that has great bones but just doesn’t feel comfortable and you can’t quite figure out why? Contact us here to see how we can help!

Luxe Modern

CxS Designs

Design ideas for a contemporary open plan dining in Los Angeles with green walls, no fireplace and panelled walls.

Glamorous Kitchen, Dining and Living Renovation with Entertaining in Mind

Corinthian Fine Homes

This young family began working with us after struggling with their previous contractor. They were over budget and not achieving what they really needed with the addition they were proposing. Rather than extend the existing footprint of their house as had been suggested, we proposed completely changing the orientation of their separate kitchen, living room, dining room, and sunroom and opening it all up to an open floor plan. By changing the configuration of doors and windows to better suit the new layout and sight lines, we were able to improve the views of their beautiful backyard and increase the natural light allowed into the spaces. We raised the floor in the sunroom to allow for a level cohesive floor throughout the areas. Their extended kitchen now has a nice sitting area within the kitchen to allow for conversation with friends and family during meal prep and entertaining. The sitting area opens to a full dining room with built in buffet and hutch that functions as a serving station. Conscious thought was given that all “permanent” selections such as cabinetry and countertops were designed to suit the masses, with a splash of this homeowner’s individual style in the double herringbone soft gray tile of the backsplash, the mitred edge of the island countertop, and the mixture of metals in the plumbing and lighting fixtures. Careful consideration was given to the function of each cabinet and organization and storage was maximized. This family is now able to entertain their extended family with seating for 18 and not only enjoy entertaining in a space that feels open and inviting, but also enjoy sitting down as a family for the simple pleasure of supper together.

Streeterville Apartment II

Eva Quateman Interiors

Werner Straube Photography
Photo of a mid-sized transitional kitchen/dining combo in Chicago with white walls, dark hardwood floors, brown floor, recessed and panelled walls.

Reforma de sótano en bruto

LORETO SPA arquitectura y reformas

EL ANTES Y DESPUÉS DE UN SÓTANO EN BRUTO. (Fotografía de Juanan Barros) Nuestros clientes quieren aprovechar y disfrutar del espacio del sótano de su casa con un programa de necesidades múltiple: hacer una sala de cine, un gimnasio, una zona de cocina, una mesa para jugar en familia, un almacén y una zona de chimenea. Les planteamos un proyecto que convierte una habitación bajo tierra con acabados “en bruto” en un espacio acogedor y con un interiorismo de calidad... para pasar allí largos ratos All Together. Diseñamos un gran espacio abierto con distintos ambientes aprovechando rincones, graduando la iluminación, bajando y subiendo los techos, o haciendo un banco-espejo entre la pared de armarios de almacenaje, de manera que cada uso y cada lugar tenga su carácter propio sin romper la fluidez espacial. La combinación de la iluminación indirecta del techo o integrada en el mobiliario hecho a medida, la elección de los materiales con acabados en madera (de Alvic), el papel pintado (de Tres Tintas) y el complemento de color de los sofás (de Belta&Frajumar) hacen que el conjunto merezca esta valoración en Houzz por parte de los clientes: “… El resultado final es magnífico: el sótano se ha transformado en un lugar acogedor y cálido, todo encaja y todo tiene su sitio, teniendo una estética moderna y elegante. Fue un acierto dejar las elecciones de mobiliario, colores, materiales, etc. en sus manos”.

Coastal Cues

OLSON LEWIS + Architects

Dining room with built-in bookcase.
This is an example of a large beach style open plan dining in Manchester with white walls, medium hardwood floors and panelled walls.

Boulevard de Coucelles

Frédérique Misdariis - Home Staging Paris

Transitional open plan dining in Paris with white walls, medium hardwood floors, brown floor and panelled walls.

Modern Farmhouse Style Dining Room

ITECTDESIGN LLC.

A modern farmhouse style dining room design featuring 8-person dining set with wood legs and a marble top table. This dining room presents a neutral color palette with pops of greenery a worm-colored rug and an exposed wood beam ceiling design.

Fernleaf

Cree designs

Dining room
Design ideas for a small beach style dining room in Orange County with white walls, vinyl floors, beige floor and panelled walls.

Glamorous Kitchen, Dining and Living Renovation with Entertaining in Mind

Corinthian Fine Homes

Fernleaf

Cree designs

Dining room
Design ideas for a small beach style dining room in Orange County with white walls, vinyl floors, beige floor and panelled walls.

The Essex Spec

Miller Marriott Construction Co. LLC

Inspiration for a transitional dining room in Milwaukee with white walls, light hardwood floors, beige floor and panelled walls.

Contemporary Dining Room

Design ideas for a contemporary dining room in Sydney with white walls, brown floor, coffered and panelled walls.

Mountain Lakes Historical Home - Dining Room

Grayscale Homes Designs

Photo of a mid-sized transitional open plan dining in New York with blue walls, medium hardwood floors, brown floor, coffered and panelled walls.

CSTB HOUSE

Tommaso Giunchi Architetti

Vista zona pranzo con tavolo in vetro nero, mobile con nate in legno cannettato, lampade foscarini. Ingresso in resina.
Design ideas for a large modern open plan dining in Milan with white walls, medium hardwood floors and panelled walls.

Deepwood

BA Staging & Interiors

When beautiful architectural details are being accentuated with contemporary on trend staging it is called perfection in design. We picked up on the natural elements in the kitchen design and mudroom and incorporated natural elements into the staging design creating a soothing and sophisticated atmosphere. We take not just the buyers demographic,but also surroundings and architecture into consideration when designing our stagings.

Old Yacht Club

Elliott Architects

Design ideas for a beach style kitchen/dining combo in Other with dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, brown floor, exposed beam and panelled walls.

Irena by the Sea

Katie Rainey Design

Modern dining chairs from CB2 add visual interest while paneling on the walls add texture to this dining space.
Inspiration for a small beach style dining room in Los Angeles with grey walls and panelled walls.

CMD Project River View

Chantelle McNeish Design

Design ideas for a mid-sized transitional kitchen/dining combo in Toronto with white walls, laminate floors, a standard fireplace, brown floor and panelled walls.

Timeless Dining Room

Heather Nadeau Interior Design

A timeless, curated dining room designed with a fresh look and color. The black and white furnishings keep the room feeling elegant, yet bold.
Small transitional separate dining room in Boston with wallpaper, panelled walls, decorative wall panelling, multi-coloured walls, medium hardwood floors, no fireplace and brown floor.

Dining Room Design Ideas with 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!