Photo of a mid-sized mediterranean separate dining room in Nashville with red walls, dark hardwood floors and no fireplace.

Crystal Lake Project

User

The dining and kitchen area lend itself to causal dining in style. The lake view is seen through the glass upper cabinets and the bay window, which makes up the walls of the kitchen. Cabinets are custom made of teak and a hidden pantry and dish buffet is the anchor on the opposite side of the dining room. The art work centered between the teak cabinet is a focal point for the dinner guests. Opposite the kitchen, an over scale mixed media art panel adorns the rose colored accent wall. A series of three pendant lights illuminate the dining table. The dining chairs are clad in soft yellow ochre leather, and the table top is of Wenge wood. Photo by Roger Turk.

French family home

Sarah Ross Design

Contemporary dining room in London with red walls and dark hardwood floors.

Nelson Res.

Cugno Architecture

Traditional Dining Room
Traditional dining room in New York with red walls and dark hardwood floors.

Washington, CT Residence

Ascher Davis Architects, LLP

Large transitional dining room in New York with red walls and dark hardwood floors.

Upper West Side Apartment

Deborah French Designs

Eclectic dining room in New York with red walls, dark hardwood floors and brown floor.

Traditional Dining Room

This is an example of a traditional separate dining room in New York with red walls and dark hardwood floors.

Квартира Нади Зотовой

Михаил Лоскутов

Михаил Лоскутов
Design ideas for a transitional dining room in Moscow with red walls, dark hardwood floors and brown floor.

Rose cottage

Drummond House co.

Christopher Kolk Wonderful, warm gracious dining room. This room is used for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Magical room at night with walls that glow with warmth and bonhomie. Bookcase holds a collection of cookbooks and blue and white china. Antique chairs painted black keep all the furniture from matching and give it some sophistication.

Decor by Denise Dining Room

Decor by Denise

Inspiration for a traditional dining room in DC Metro with red walls and dark hardwood floors.

Mid-Century Modern Home

Johnson Berman

This Mid-Century Modern residence was infused with rich paint colors and accent lighting to enhance the owner’s modern American furniture and art collections. Large expanses of glass were added to provide views to the new garden entry. All Photographs: Erik Kvalsvik

A Captivating Cape Cod Transformation

Meadowlark Design+Build

The addition adds ample space for an eat-in kitchen area. Design and Build by Meadowlark Design+Build in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Photography by Sean Carter, Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Victorian Interior

BINYAN architecture studio

Mid-sized traditional separate dining room in Philadelphia with red walls, dark hardwood floors, no fireplace and brown floor.

New Federal Revival Residence

John Milner Architects, Inc.

Matt Wargo Photography
This is an example of a traditional separate dining room in Philadelphia with red walls and dark hardwood floors.

Redwood City Whole Home Remodel

Livingston Interiors, Inc.

Large traditional separate dining room in San Francisco with red walls, dark hardwood floors and no fireplace.

User

Design ideas for a mid-sized traditional separate dining room in San Francisco with red walls, dark hardwood floors and brown floor.

Traditional Elegance

Interior Styles, Inc.

Design ideas for a mid-sized traditional separate dining room in Atlanta with red walls, dark hardwood floors, no fireplace and brown floor.

KH Window Fashions, Inc.

KH Window Fashions, Inc., custom window treatments and dining room chairs, silk fabric panels with decorative trim and tassels, decorative hardware, 12 fabrics were used in the dining room chairs, coordinating decorative pillows, table runner for center of the table.

PlaidFox Studio

Industrial dining room in Other with red walls, dark hardwood floors, brown floor and brick walls.

Greenwich Street Loft

nune

Nicole Franzen
Scandinavian open plan dining in New York with red walls, dark hardwood floors and no fireplace.

Dining Room Design Ideas with Red Walls and Dark Hardwood Floors

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!