Porter Fuqua
Inspiration for a mid-sized traditional open plan dining in Dallas with beige walls, a standard fireplace, a plaster fireplace surround, beige floor and terra-cotta floors.

VANDERBILT HARVEST TABLE

Jeff Soderbergh Custom Sustainable Furnishings

Inspiration for a mid-sized country open plan dining in Providence with no fireplace, white walls, terra-cotta floors and red floor.

Taos Southwestern Adobe Home

D'Arcy Leck Photography

Residential interior architectural photography by D'Arcy Leck
Mid-sized separate dining room in Albuquerque with beige walls and terra-cotta floors.

Kitchen Remodel

Marianne Solem

Breakfast nook fireplace
Dining room in Phoenix with beige walls, a corner fireplace and terra-cotta floors.

Frank Lloyd Wright Inspired Ranch

Studio Z Architecture

The master suite in this 1970’s Frank Lloyd Wright-inspired home was transformed from open and awkward to clean and crisp. The original suite was one large room with a sunken tub, pedestal sink, and toilet just a few steps up from the bedroom, which had a full wall of patio doors. The roof was rebuilt so the bedroom floor could be raised so that it is now on the same level as the bathroom (and the rest of the house). Rebuilding the roof gave an opportunity for the bedroom ceilings to be vaulted, and wood trim, soffits, and uplighting enhance the Frank Lloyd Wright connection. The interior space was reconfigured to provide a private master bath with a soaking tub and a skylight, and a private porch was built outside the bedroom. The dining room was given a face-lift by removing the old mirrored china built-in along the wall and adding simple shelves in its place. Contractor: Meadowlark Design + Build Interior Designer: Meadowlark Design + Build Photographer: Emily Rose Imagery

Rustic Dining Room

Inspiration for a country dining room in Boston with white walls, terra-cotta floors and pink floor.

Villa in Poggibonsi

Matteo Grande

Photo of a large country separate dining room in Florence with beige walls, terra-cotta floors, a standard fireplace and brown floor.

Casa privata - Mugello

Matteo Serpi Photographer

Matteo Serpi
Photo of a country kitchen/dining combo in Florence with white walls and terra-cotta floors.

Saunders Residence

Francis Garcia Architect

Inspiration for a country dining room in San Francisco with orange walls, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and terra-cotta floors.

West Hollywood California Spanish Modern

Murphy Deesign

A dark, Spanish apartment gets a bright, colorful, modern makeover! Photographer: Zeke Rueles
Inspiration for a small eclectic dining room in Los Angeles with terra-cotta floors, a standard fireplace and a tile fireplace surround.

Santa Barbara Style

Janet Brooks Design

Although the dining area is part of a large Great Room with tall ceilings, it still maintains an intimate feeling with the beautiful area rug, draperies, arched opening with Cantara stone columns and sconce lighting. Photography: Mark Boisclair

Lakefront Estate

chas architects

Authentic materials, hand crafted details, and carefully scaled architectural elements create an overall ambiance much like one would find in an old European country home.

Flea Market Style

Alison Kandler Interior Design

Bret Gum for Cottages and Bungalows
Photo of a traditional dining room in Los Angeles with terra-cotta floors.

Spanish Mission Residence, historic renovation

Indigo Diggs Architecture

Joe Nuess Photography
Design ideas for a large mediterranean separate dining room in Seattle with white walls, terra-cotta floors and no fireplace.

Elmwood Place- Dining Room

Heather Peterson Design

photos @spacecrafting
Inspiration for a mediterranean dining room in Minneapolis with terra-cotta floors, green floor and beige walls.

Dining in a Ranch Home

Maraya Interior Design

Rustic ranch dining area. Old table with industrial lighting and reclaimed wood plank ceiling for a famous Hollywood producer's weekend rustic home. The Multiple Ranch and Mountain Homes are shown in this project catalog: from Camarillo horse ranches to Lake Tahoe ski lodges. Featuring rock walls and fireplaces with decorative wrought iron doors, stained wood trusses and hand scraped beams. Rustic designs give a warm lodge feel to these large ski resort homes and cattle ranches. Pine plank or slate and stone flooring with custom old world wrought iron lighting, leather furniture and handmade, scraped wood dining tables give a warmth to the hard use of these homes, some of which are on working farms and orchards. Antique and new custom upholstery, covered in velvet with deep rich tones and hand knotted rugs in the bedrooms give a softness and warmth so comfortable and livable. In the kitchen, range hoods provide beautiful points of interest, from hammered copper, steel, and wood. Unique stone mosaic, custom painted tile and stone backsplash in the kitchen and baths. designed by Maraya Interior Design. From their beautiful resort town of Ojai, they serve clients in Montecito, Hope Ranch, Malibu, Westlake and Calabasas, across the tri-county areas of Santa Barbara, Ventura and Los Angeles, south to Hidden Hills- north through Solvang and more. contractor: Tim Droney photo, architecture and interiors: Maraya Droney,

Spanish Colonial

DD Ford Construction

Architect: Don Nulty
This is an example of a mediterranean dining room in Santa Barbara with white walls, no fireplace and terra-cotta floors.

Jack Apartment

Teodora Dimova

Inspiration for a small industrial kitchen/dining combo in Other with beige walls, terra-cotta floors, grey floor and brick walls.

Lake Michigan Residence

Elizabeth Drake of Drake Interiors Limited

Photo: Petra Ford
This is an example of a contemporary dining room in Chicago with purple walls, terra-cotta floors, orange floor and vaulted.

Projet longère charente maritime intérieurs

Agence FOGEL

Détail du plan de travail en ormeau galeux massif. La rive du plateau n'a pas été rectifiée révélant ainsi tout le relief de l'aubier.
Photo of a mid-sized country separate dining room in Paris with beige walls, terra-cotta floors, a standard fireplace, red floor and exposed beam.

Dining Room Design Ideas with Terra-cotta 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!