Large contemporary open plan dining in San Francisco with white walls, light hardwood floors, a two-sided fireplace and a concrete fireplace surround.

Jefferson Park Craftsman bungalow

ArtCraft Homes LLC

A classic 1925 Colonial Revival bungalow in the Jefferson Park neighborhood of Los Angeles restored and enlarged by Tim Braseth of ArtCraft Homes completed in 2013. Originally a 2 bed/1 bathroom house, it was enlarged with the addition of a master suite for a total of 3 bedrooms and 2 baths. Original vintage details such as a Batchelder tile fireplace with flanking built-ins and original oak flooring are complemented by an all-new vintage-style kitchen with butcher block countertops, hex-tiled bathrooms with beadboard wainscoting and subway tile showers, and French doors leading to a redwood deck overlooking a fully-fenced and gated backyard. The new master retreat features a vaulted ceiling, oversized walk-in closet, and French doors to the backyard deck. Remodeled by ArtCraft Homes. Staged by ArtCraft Collection. Photography by Larry Underhill.

Beach Drive

Colby Construction

Tricia Shay Photography
Beach style open plan dining in Milwaukee with white walls and dark hardwood floors.

Minimalist Mountainside

Ownby Design

Mark Boisclair Photography
This is an example of a contemporary dining room in Phoenix with white walls and no fireplace.

Tiny house: Flexible use dining and entry area by Kimball Starr Interior

Kimball Starr Interior Design

Small space living solutions are used throughout this contemporary 596 square foot tiny house. Adjustable height table in the entry area serves as both a coffee table for socializing and as a dining table for eating. Curved banquette is upholstered in outdoor fabric for durability and maximizes space with hidden storage underneath the seat. Kitchen island has a retractable countertop for additional seating while the living area conceals a work desk and media center behind sliding shoji screens. Calming tones of sand and deep ocean blue fill the tiny bedroom downstairs. Glowing bedside sconces utilize wall-mounting and swing arms to conserve bedside space and maximize flexibility.

Herring Creek Farmhouse

Patrick Ahearn Architect

Photo of a large country open plan dining in Boston with white walls and medium hardwood floors.

Last House on the Left

SV Design

Having been neglected for nearly 50 years, this home was rescued by new owners who sought to restore the home to its original grandeur. Prominently located on the rocky shoreline, its presence welcomes all who enter into Marblehead from the Boston area. The exterior respects tradition; the interior combines tradition with a sparse respect for proportion, scale and unadorned beauty of space and light. This project was featured in Design New England Magazine. http://bit.ly/SVResurrection Photo Credit: Eric Roth

GRIFFIN ENRIGHT ARCHITECTS: Rustic Canyon Residence

Griffin Enright Architects

A view of custom sliding barn doors with a view to the exterior and a 300 year old Sycamore tree.
Inspiration for a contemporary dining room in Los Angeles with white walls and dark hardwood floors.

San Carlos Treetop

Cathie Hong Interiors

What started as a kitchen and two-bathroom remodel evolved into a full home renovation plus conversion of the downstairs unfinished basement into a permitted first story addition, complete with family room, guest suite, mudroom, and a new front entrance. We married the midcentury modern architecture with vintage, eclectic details and thoughtful materials.

Mount Vernon

Jubilee Interiors

This full home mid-century remodel project is in an affluent community perched on the hills known for its spectacular views of Los Angeles. Our retired clients were returning to sunny Los Angeles from South Carolina. Amidst the pandemic, they embarked on a two-year-long remodel with us - a heartfelt journey to transform their residence into a personalized sanctuary. Opting for a crisp white interior, we provided the perfect canvas to showcase the couple's legacy art pieces throughout the home. Carefully curating furnishings that complemented rather than competed with their remarkable collection. It's minimalistic and inviting. We created a space where every element resonated with their story, infusing warmth and character into their newly revitalized soulful home.

Flat In Trentino • Italy

AC • Photography

Design ideas for an eclectic dining room in London with white walls, light hardwood floors and beige floor.

Rénovation complète d’un appartement familial de 90m²

LES DECOREUSES

This is an example of a large contemporary dining room in Paris with white walls.

Avon, CO - Private Condominium

Mountain Luxury Interiors

This is an example of a large modern kitchen/dining combo in Other with white walls, no fireplace, grey floor and timber.

Glenroy

D.L. Rhein

Photo of a beach style dining room in Los Angeles with white walls, dark hardwood floors and brown floor.

Parkrose Historic Kitchen Remodel

Lamont Bros.

Open kitchen and dining space.
Mid-sized transitional kitchen/dining combo in Portland with white walls, light hardwood floors and brown floor.

Sonoma Foundry

Marcus & Willers Architects

Inspiration for an industrial open plan dining in San Francisco with white walls and concrete floors.

Modern Mediterranean

Model Remodel

Mid-sized contemporary open plan dining in Seattle with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and exposed beam.

Cardiff-By-The-Sea

Tosti Design

We were inspired to take this grand scale room and make it feel intentionally cozy without closing it off. This was done by creating various zones delineated by strategically placing lighting, furniture, and cabinetry. The grand chandelier made up of dozens of swirled glass balls softens the expanse of the cielo quartzite used on the family sized island, while the softer, textured shade gives off a warm glow and calls out the charm of the built-in breakfast nook. The removal of the upper cabinets in favor of a large picture window, splash detail, and statement sconces leaves the cabinetry feeling more like a piece of furniture than a bank of cabinets flanked by pantry and appliance. A soft, coastal inspired palette becomes exciting through the use of a variety of textures found in the leathered stone, handcrafted clay backsplash, swirled glass lighting, and built in seating. The tufted leather booth with the fluted walnut bench brings a modern flair to the table that transitions seamlessly with the more traditional feel of the flush inset cabinetry. By allowing the 48" chef's range to create its own focal point along the back wall, functionality of the kitchen is maximized and allows enough space for multiple cooks, big and small, to work together.

The Falcon

SoCal Canyon Builders

Photo of a mid-sized transitional dining room in Los Angeles with white walls, light hardwood floors, no fireplace and brown floor.

Beautiful Indoor Glazing and Home Renovation in Dulwich

Design Squared Architects

Transitional open plan dining in London with white walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and beige floor.

Dining Room Design Ideas with White Walls and Yellow Walls

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!