Design ideas for a mid-sized beach style dining room in Sydney with white walls and vaulted.

Behind the rolling hills of Arthurs Seat sits “The Farm”, a coastal getaway and future permanent residence for our clients. The modest three bedroom brick home will be renovated and a substantial extension added. The footprint of the extension re-aligns to face the beautiful landscape of the western valley and dam. The new living and dining rooms open onto an entertaining terrace. The distinct roof form of valleys and ridges relate in level to the existing roof for continuation of scale. The new roof cantilevers beyond the extension walls creating emphasis and direction towards the natural views.

Kitchen

Look Design Group

Large contemporary kitchen/dining combo in Other with white walls, plywood floors, brown floor and vaulted.

Aubigny Farmhouse project

Ivy + Piper Pty Ltd

Design ideas for a country dining room in Brisbane with yellow walls, medium hardwood floors, brown floor, vaulted and planked wall panelling.

Sullivan's Island Remodel

St. Pierre Construction

Dining room featuring light white oak flooring, custom built-in bench for additional seating, horizontal shiplap walls, and a mushroom board ceiling.

Life On Longview

Delphinium Design

Dining room buffet table in Charlotte, NC complete with wood dining table and fabric and wood dining room chairs, wall art and custom window treatments.

Dining Room Projects - Phoenix, AZ

La-Z-Boy Home Furnishings & Décor of Arizona

Design ideas for a mid-sized transitional dining room in Phoenix with beige walls, light hardwood floors, no fireplace, beige floor and vaulted.

Corona Del Mar Contemporary Residence

Ryan Rosene Photography

Kitchen Dining Nook with large windows, vaulted ceilings and exposed beams.
This is an example of a mid-sized contemporary dining room in Orange County with beige walls, ceramic floors, no fireplace, beige floor and vaulted.

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.

House on Taylor's Branch

Ashby Collective

This is an example of an expansive midcentury kitchen/dining combo in Austin with white walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, brown floor, vaulted and brick walls.

Longwoods Transitional

Frankel Design Build

This is an example of an expansive transitional separate dining room in Houston with white walls, medium hardwood floors, brown floor, vaulted and brick walls.

Cheyenne Plan - Aubrey Creek Estates

Impression Homes

Breakfast Nook
Photo of a traditional dining room in Dallas with ceramic floors and vaulted.

Sonoma Private Residence

Salt Shed Design Build

Modern farmohouse interior with T&G cedar cladding; exposed steel; custom motorized slider; cement floor; vaulted ceiling and an open floor plan creates a unified look

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.

Kenilworth Project - Mid Century Modern Whole House Remodel

Haven Design and Construction

The design team elected to preserve the original stacked stone wall in the dining area. A striking sputnik chandelier further repeats the mid century modern design. Deep blue accents repeat throughout the home's main living area and the kitchen.

Cottage-Style Mudroom Addition

Liv Companies LLC Design + Build

The new breakfast room extension features vaulted ceilings and an expanse of windows
Photo of a small arts and crafts dining room in Chicago with blue walls, porcelain floors, grey floor and vaulted.

A Warm Welcome

TKS Design Group

Download our free ebook, Creating the Ideal Kitchen. DOWNLOAD NOW The homeowner and his wife had lived in this beautiful townhome in Oak Brook overlooking a small lake for over 13 years. The home is open and airy with vaulted ceilings and full of mementos from world adventures through the years, including to Cambodia, home of their much-adored sponsored daughter. The home, full of love and memories was host to a growing extended family of children and grandchildren. This was THE place. When the homeowner’s wife passed away suddenly and unexpectedly, he became determined to create a space that would continue to welcome and host his family and the many wonderful family memories that lay ahead but with an eye towards functionality. We started out by evaluating how the space would be used. Cooking and watching sports were key factors. So, we shuffled the current dining table into a rarely used living room whereby enlarging the kitchen. The kitchen now houses two large islands – one for prep and the other for seating and buffet space. We removed the wall between kitchen and family room to encourage interaction during family gatherings and of course a clear view to the game on TV. We also removed a dropped ceiling in the kitchen, and wow, what a difference. Next, we added some drama with a large arch between kitchen and dining room creating a stunning architectural feature between those two spaces. This arch echoes the shape of the large arch at the front door of the townhome, providing drama and significance to the space. The kitchen itself is large but does not have much wall space, which is a common challenge when removing walls. We added a bit more by resizing the double French doors to a balcony at the side of the house which is now just a single door. This gave more breathing room to the range wall and large stone hood but still provides access and light. We chose a neutral pallet of black, white, and white oak, with punches of blue at the counter stools in the kitchen. The cabinetry features a white shaker door at the perimeter for a crisp outline. Countertops and custom hood are black Caesarstone, and the islands are a soft white oak adding contrast and warmth. Two large built ins between the kitchen and dining room function as pantry space as well as area to display flowers or seasonal decorations. We repeated the blue in the dining room where we added a fresh coat of paint to the existing built ins, along with painted wainscot paneling. Above the wainscot is a neutral grass cloth wallpaper which provides a lovely backdrop for a wall of important mementos and artifacts. The dining room table and chairs were refinished and re-upholstered, and a new rug and window treatments complete the space. The room now feels ready to host more formal gatherings or can function as a quiet spot to enjoy a cup of morning coffee.

Delahasey Project

JEArchitecture

Vaulted dining space adjacent to kitchen
Inspiration for a mid-sized modern kitchen/dining combo in Dublin with white walls, grey floor and vaulted.

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.

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.

Dining Room Design Ideas with Wallpaper and Vaulted

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!