Design ideas for a mid-sized contemporary dining room in Melbourne with white walls, laminate floors, brown floor, recessed and panelled walls.

Taringa House

Shane Marsh Architects

This is an example of a mid-sized midcentury open plan dining in Brisbane with white walls, light hardwood floors, brown floor and recessed.

Modern European Residence

Deep River Partners

Fulfilling a vision of the future to gather an expanding family, the open home is designed for multi-generational use, while also supporting the everyday lifestyle of the two homeowners. The home is flush with natural light and expansive views of the landscape in an established Wisconsin village. Charming European homes, rich with interesting details and fine millwork, inspired the design for the Modern European Residence. The theming is rooted in historical European style, but modernized through simple architectural shapes and clean lines that steer focus to the beautifully aligned details. Ceiling beams, wallpaper treatments, rugs and furnishings create definition to each space, and fabrics and patterns stand out as visual interest and subtle additions of color. A brighter look is achieved through a clean neutral color palette of quality natural materials in warm whites and lighter woods, contrasting with color and patterned elements. The transitional background creates a modern twist on a traditional home that delivers the desired formal house with comfortable elegance.

Таунхаус в кп Парк Авеню

Анна Жемерева / ORT-interiors

This is an example of a contemporary dining room in Moscow with grey walls, porcelain floors, white floor and recessed.

Fancy a cuppa?

TKS Design Group

Download our free ebook, Creating the Ideal Kitchen. DOWNLOAD NOW This family from Wheaton was ready to remodel their kitchen, dining room and powder room. The project didn’t call for any structural or space planning changes but the makeover still had a massive impact on their home. The homeowners wanted to change their dated 1990’s brown speckled granite and light maple kitchen. They liked the welcoming feeling they got from the wood and warm tones in their current kitchen, but this style clashed with their vision of a deVOL type kitchen, a London-based furniture company. Their inspiration came from the country homes of the UK that mix the warmth of traditional detail with clean lines and modern updates. To create their vision, we started with all new framed cabinets with a modified overlay painted in beautiful, understated colors. Our clients were adamant about “no white cabinets.” Instead we used an oyster color for the perimeter and a custom color match to a specific shade of green chosen by the homeowner. The use of a simple color pallet reduces the visual noise and allows the space to feel open and welcoming. We also painted the trim above the cabinets the same color to make the cabinets look taller. The room trim was painted a bright clean white to match the ceiling. In true English fashion our clients are not coffee drinkers, but they LOVE tea. We created a tea station for them where they can prepare and serve tea. We added plenty of glass to showcase their tea mugs and adapted the cabinetry below to accommodate storage for their tea items. Function is also key for the English kitchen and the homeowners. They requested a deep farmhouse sink and a cabinet devoted to their heavy mixer because they bake a lot. We then got rid of the stovetop on the island and wall oven and replaced both of them with a range located against the far wall. This gives them plenty of space on the island to roll out dough and prepare any number of baked goods. We then removed the bifold pantry doors and created custom built-ins with plenty of usable storage for all their cooking and baking needs. The client wanted a big change to the dining room but still wanted to use their own furniture and rug. We installed a toile-like wallpaper on the top half of the room and supported it with white wainscot paneling. We also changed out the light fixture, showing us once again that small changes can have a big impact. As the final touch, we also re-did the powder room to be in line with the rest of the first floor. We had the new vanity painted in the same oyster color as the kitchen cabinets and then covered the walls in a whimsical patterned wallpaper. Although the homeowners like subtle neutral colors they were willing to go a bit bold in the powder room for something unexpected. For more design inspiration go to: www.kitchenstudio-ge.com

Seventy Laurel Road

Kane Development Corporation

This is an example of a transitional separate dining room in Boston with white walls, medium hardwood floors, brown floor and wallpaper.

Spring Valley New Construction

Nikole Starr Interiors

Photo of a transitional dining room in Houston with multi-coloured walls, medium hardwood floors, brown floor, recessed and wallpaper.

Magnolia Transitionaldi

Morning Star Builders LTD

Photo of a large transitional open plan dining in Houston with white walls, laminate floors, grey floor and recessed.

Split-Level Expansion

12/12 Architects & Planners

Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional separate dining room in Chicago with yellow walls, light hardwood floors, no fireplace, brown floor, wallpaper and wallpaper.

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.

Легкий индустриальный лофт интерьер в «трешке».

Alex Loft

Photo of a large industrial kitchen/dining combo in Moscow with grey walls, concrete floors, grey floor, recessed and brick walls.

FAMILY HOME

HARRISON FAE DESIGN

Photo of a large traditional kitchen/dining combo in Toronto with multi-coloured walls, dark hardwood floors, brown floor, recessed and wallpaper.

Bundy Drive Brentwood, Los Angeles modern design open plan kitchen with luxury a

Whipple Russell Architects

Bundy Drive Brentwood, Los Angeles modern design open plan kitchen with luxury aquarium view. Photo by Simon Berlyn.
Design ideas for an expansive modern kitchen/dining combo in Los Angeles with white walls, no fireplace, beige floor and recessed.

Boho Chic

Jefferson Street Designs

Photo of a large eclectic separate dining room in DC Metro with beige walls, light hardwood floors, beige floor, wallpaper and wallpaper.

Willow Glen Traditional Remodel

Brad Cox, Architect, Inc.

Stunning green walls (Benjamin Moore "Night Train" #1567) surround large double hung windows and a seeded glass china cabinet. Black Chippendale chairs cozy up to the natural wood table, and a sisal rug keeps it all from being too serious.

NoHo Loft Renovation

Alexander Gorlin Architects

This is an example of a large eclectic open plan dining in New York with white walls, travertine floors, no fireplace, white floor and recessed.

Bucktown Residence

Gemma Parker Design, LLC

Photography: Dustin Halleck
Inspiration for a transitional dining room in Chicago with grey walls, dark hardwood floors, brown floor, wallpaper and recessed.

Barton Skyway Transitional Modern Stage

Sensible Redesign

Contemporary dining room in Houston with white walls, medium hardwood floors, brown floor and recessed.

Dining Room Feels

Stalburg Design

This multi-functional dining room is designed to reflect our client's eclectic and industrial vibe. From the distressed fabric on our custom swivel chairs to the reclaimed wood on the dining table, this space welcomes you in to cozy and have a seat. The highlight is the custom flooring, which carries slate-colored porcelain hex from the mudroom toward the dining room, blending into the light wood flooring with an organic feel. The metallic porcelain tile and hand blown glass pendants help round out the mixture of elements, and the result is a welcoming space for formal dining or after-dinner reading!

Dining Room Design

Caron Kelly Interiors

Design ideas for a transitional dining room in Miami with grey walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, brown floor and recessed.

Dining Room Design Ideas with Wallpaper and Recessed

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!