Inspiration for a large contemporary open plan dining in Other with grey walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a concrete fireplace surround, brown floor, vaulted and wood walls.

Stirling Residence - Dining & Living

DGK Architects

This home provides a luxurious open flow, opulent finishes, and fluid cohesion between the spaces that give this small rear block home a grandness and larger than life feel. – DGK Architects

St. Clair #2

Fredrick Dawson Design Consulting

Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary open plan dining in Toronto with white walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a concrete fireplace surround, beige floor and wood walls.

Lyders Residence

Geoff Chick & Associates

Photo of a large beach style open plan dining in Other with white walls, ceramic floors, a standard fireplace, a concrete fireplace surround, beige floor, coffered and wood walls.

Clear Lake Summer Cottage

Kos Interiors

The Clear Lake Cottage proposes a simple tent-like envelope to house both program of the summer home and the sheltered outdoor spaces under a single vernacular form. A singular roof presents a child-like impression of house; rectilinear and ordered in symmetry while playfully skewed in volume. Nestled within a forest, the building is sculpted and stepped to take advantage of the land; modelling the natural grade. Open and closed faces respond to shoreline views or quiet wooded depths. Like a tent the porosity of the building’s envelope strengthens the experience of ‘cottage’. All the while achieving privileged views to the lake while separating family members for sometimes much need privacy.

Residential Projects

Fascon Construction

Wonderful Open Kitchen with large living space !
Photo of a mid-sized modern kitchen/dining combo in San Francisco with grey walls, bamboo floors, a corner fireplace, a concrete fireplace surround, brown floor, coffered and wood walls.

Richmond House - Family Dining Space

Markland Ball homes

Design ideas for an expansive modern kitchen/dining combo in London with grey walls, porcelain floors, a two-sided fireplace, a concrete fireplace surround, grey floor and wood walls.

Alta Vista Collection | Balboa Oak | Seattle, WA

Hallmark Floors

Balboa Oak Hardwood– The Alta Vista Hardwood Flooring is a return to vintage European Design. These beautiful classic and refined floors are crafted out of French White Oak, a premier hardwood species that has been used for everything from flooring to shipbuilding over the centuries due to its stability.

Dining Room

Mosaic Design Studio

Design ideas for an eclectic dining room in Columbus with carpet, a standard fireplace, a concrete fireplace surround, grey floor, coffered and wood walls.

Modern Edge House - Sewickley, PA

Gaskill Architecture

Photo of a large contemporary open plan dining in Other with grey walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a concrete fireplace surround, brown floor, vaulted and wood walls.

St. Clair #2

Fredrick Dawson Design Consulting

Photo of a mid-sized contemporary open plan dining in Toronto with white walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a concrete fireplace surround, beige floor and wood walls.

St. Clair #2

Fredrick Dawson Design Consulting

This is an example of a mid-sized contemporary open plan dining in Toronto with white walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a concrete fireplace surround, beige floor and wood walls.

St. Clair #2

Fredrick Dawson Design Consulting

Mid-sized contemporary open plan dining in Toronto with white walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a concrete fireplace surround, beige floor and wood walls.

Dining Room Design Ideas with a Concrete Fireplace Surround and Wood 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!