Mid-Century Modern Highland Park West Home

This is an example of a large midcentury open plan dining in Austin with light hardwood floors, a two-sided fireplace, a brick fireplace surround and wood.

Custom Dining Room in Coto De Caza

Jeffrey V. Riggs, Architect

Design ideas for a large modern open plan dining in Orange County with grey walls, slate floors, no fireplace, grey floor and vaulted.

Offset House

Amrish Maharaj Architecture

Height and light fills the new kitchen and dining space through a series of large north orientated skylights, flooding the addition with daylight that illuminates the natural materials and textures.

Modern Coastal Beach House

Three Sparrows Interior Design

Beach style open plan dining in Providence with white walls, medium hardwood floors, no fireplace, brown floor, timber, vaulted and planked wall panelling.

2019 Parade of Homes

Wright's Furniture Store

This is an example of a country open plan dining in Other with white walls, light hardwood floors, beige floor, vaulted and wood.

Mountain Modern Lake House

Judd Builders

This is an example of a mid-sized modern open plan dining in Other with white walls, light hardwood floors, a ribbon fireplace, a plaster fireplace surround, beige floor and wood.

Tongass Ledge

Prentiss Balance Wickline Architects

The main space is a single, expansive flow outward toward the sound. There is plenty of room for a dining table and seating area in addition to the kitchen. Photography: Andrew Pogue Photography.

Poplar - Modern MCM

Melinamade - Residential Design + Interiors

A Mid Century modern home built by a student of Eichler. This Eichler inspired home was completely renovated and restored to meet current structural, electrical, and energy efficiency codes as it was in serious disrepair when purchased as well as numerous and various design elements being inconsistent with the original architectural intent of the house from subsequent remodels.

New Home & ADU

Reliance Design Build

Design ideas for a large transitional kitchen/dining combo in Los Angeles with green walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a wood fireplace surround and vaulted.

Orono Deer Hill Preserve

John Kraemer & Sons

Design ideas for a transitional separate dining room in Minneapolis with grey walls, medium hardwood floors, no fireplace, brown floor and wood.

Lynn Valley Modern Home

Simply Home Decorating

This 1990's home, located in North Vancouver's Lynn Valley neighbourhood, had high ceilings and a great open plan layout but the decor was straight out of the 90's complete with sponge painted walls in dark earth tones. The owners, a young professional couple, enlisted our help to take it from dated and dreary to modern and bright. We started by removing details like chair rails and crown mouldings, that did not suit the modern architectural lines of the home. We replaced the heavily worn wood floors with a new high end, light coloured, wood-look laminate that will withstand the wear and tear from their two energetic golden retrievers. Since the main living space is completely open plan it was important that we work with simple consistent finishes for a clean modern look. The all white kitchen features flat doors with minimal hardware and a solid surface marble-look countertop and backsplash. We modernized all of the lighting and updated the bathrooms and master bedroom as well. The only departure from our clean modern scheme is found in the dressing room where the client was looking for a more dressed up feminine feel but we kept a thread of grey consistent even in this more vivid colour scheme. This transformation, featuring the clients' gorgeous original artwork and new custom designed furnishings is admittedly one of our favourite projects to date!

Thousand Oaks Residence

Carte Blanche Studio

Photo of an expansive traditional open plan dining in Los Angeles with white walls, marble floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, grey floor, vaulted and wallpaper.

Gröbenzell B 42

Lebensraum Holz GmbH

Foto: Michael Voit, Nußdorf
Design ideas for a contemporary open plan dining in Munich with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a wood stove, a plaster fireplace surround and wood.

Verte

Unique Homestays

Photo of an expansive country open plan dining in Devon with medium hardwood floors, a hanging fireplace, a concrete fireplace surround and wood.

Zapadniy, 700 m2

Nirenburg.Design

Роскошная столовая зона с обеденным столом на 8 персон, при желании можно добавить еще два кресла.
Inspiration for a large traditional kitchen/dining combo in Other with beige walls, medium hardwood floors, a hanging fireplace, a tile fireplace surround, brown floor and vaulted.

Plantation Shutters

Best Buy Blinds Shutters and Shades

Mid-sized contemporary kitchen/dining combo in Salt Lake City with grey walls, dark hardwood floors, no fireplace, brown floor and vaulted.

Modern Fredricksburg

Firmitas Design, LLC

Photo of a contemporary dining room in Dallas with white walls, exposed beam, vaulted and wood.

English Cottage

Amanda George Interior Design

A whimsical English garden was the foundation and driving force for the design inspiration. A lingering garden mural wraps all the walls floor to ceiling, while a union jack wood detail adorns the existing tray ceiling, as a nod to the client’s English roots. Custom heritage blue base cabinets and antiqued white glass front uppers create a beautifully balanced built-in buffet that stretches the east wall providing display and storage for the client's extensive inherited China collection.

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.

Beachside Maximalist

Potthast Design, LLC

This is an example of a beach style dining room in Tampa with white walls, coffered and wood.

Dining Room Design Ideas with Vaulted and Wood

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!