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.

Квартира в ЖК The Mid

ANDdesign / Александра Дашкевич

Зона столовой подчеркнута единственным в этом помещении подвесным светильником в стиле японских фонарей.
Mid-sized contemporary open plan dining in Moscow with white walls, medium hardwood floors, grey floor, recessed and panelled walls.

Mid-Century Modern Home

Miranda Frigon Designs

Mid-sized midcentury kitchen/dining combo in Los Angeles with white 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.

Victorian Country House

Emma Tutill Ltd

Design ideas for a large traditional separate dining room in Essex with beige walls, medium hardwood floors, 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.

Bolsover Street Penthouse

Burbeck Interiors ltd

Contemporary dining room in London with white walls, light hardwood floors, beige floor and panelled walls.

Notting Hill Hideway - Dining Area

Chaunceys Timber Flooring

Stylish study area with engineered wood flooring from Chaunceys Timber Flooring
Photo of a small country kitchen/dining combo in Sussex with light hardwood floors and panelled walls.

Wingback chairs for plush seating

P&T Design Studio

The dining table has a brass base which was custom designed with a marble top. The chesterfield chairs have an interesting back detail with an old school door handle which were aesthetics and functional at the same time.

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.

Streeterville Apartment

Eva Quateman Interiors

Werner Straube Photography
This is an example of a mid-sized transitional separate dining room in Chicago with white walls, dark 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.

Modern Comfort

Copper Leaf Development

This is an example of a contemporary dining room in Boston with beige walls, medium hardwood floors, brown floor, wallpaper and panelled walls.

Happy Traditional Home

Cooper Interiors

Design ideas for a transitional separate dining room in New York with white walls, medium hardwood floors, brown floor, panelled walls, decorative wall panelling and wallpaper.

Modern Northwoods Residence Great Room & Balcony

Amy Carman Design

A wall of steel and glass allows panoramic views of the lake at our Modern Northwoods Cabin project.
Design ideas for a large contemporary dining room in Other with black walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, brown floor, vaulted and panelled walls.

Armour ADM

Neumann Mendro Andrulaitis Architects LLP

Noah Webb
Photo of a beach style dining room in Santa Barbara with white walls, medium hardwood floors, brown floor and panelled walls.

Sorrento House

Hindley & Co Architecture & Interior Design

Very few pieces of loose furniture or rugs are required due to the integrated nature of the architecture and interior design. The pieces that are needed are select and spectacular, mixing incredibly special European designer items with beautifully crafted, locally designed and made pieces.

Avenida Antonio Augusto Aguiar III

MOKOSH - Architectura e Design de Interiores

Design ideas for a scandinavian dining room in Other with beige walls, light hardwood floors, beige floor and panelled walls.

Hulls House

Create Perfect

This is an example of a mid-sized country dining room in Gloucestershire with grey walls, dark hardwood floors, a two-sided fireplace, a plaster fireplace surround, brown floor and panelled walls.

Extreme Renovation

Young & Borlik Architects, inc.

An informal Dining room serves as the kitchen nook. Tall ceilings transition through the kitchen and family rooms. Outside is an expansive pool patio and outdoor pavilion

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!