Bar and Poker Table
This is an example of a mid-sized country open plan dining in Other with dark hardwood floors, brown walls and brown floor.

Congress Park Forever Home

Classic Homeworks

Design ideas for a contemporary open plan dining in Denver with beige walls, dark hardwood floors and brown floor.

Vivienda Unifamiliar

Varba Arquitectura y Diseño

Concepto open concept. Salón abierto a cocina y amplia terraza. Con ventanas correderas que se ocultan en el cerramiento
Photo of a mid-sized contemporary kitchen/dining combo in Madrid with white walls, laminate floors and no fireplace.

Striking Industrial Kitchen for Newly Built Home, Buckinghamshire

Kitchen Connection of Ascot (KCA)

A striking industrial kitchen for a newly built home in Buckinghamshire. This exquisite property, developed by EAB Homes, is a magnificent new home that sets a benchmark for individuality and refinement. The home is a beautiful example of open-plan living and the kitchen is the relaxed heart of the home and forms the hub for the dining area, coffee station, wine area, prep kitchen and garden room. The kitchen layout centres around a U-shaped kitchen island which creates additional storage space and a large work surface for food preparation or entertaining friends. To add a contemporary industrial feel, the kitchen cabinets are finished in a combination of Grey Oak and Graphite Concrete. Steel accents such as the knurled handles, thicker island worktop with seamless welded sink, plinth and feature glazed units add individuality to the design and tie the kitchen together with the overall interior scheme.

Mid Century Modern Remodel

Kelly Martin Interiors

This remodel was located in the Hollywood Hills of Los Angeles. The dining room features authentic mid century modern furniture and a colorful Louis Poulsen pendant.

Austin Victorian

Chango

Austin Victorian by Chango & Co. Architectural Advisement & Interior Design by Chango & Co. Architecture by William Hablinski Construction by J Pinnelli Co. Photography by Sarah Elliott

雪窓湖の家　ダイニングから見る

菊池ひろ建築設計室｜kikuchihiro design office

雪窓湖の家｜菊池ひろ建築設計室撮影　辻岡利之
Inspiration for a modern open plan dining in Other with grey walls, medium hardwood floors, a wood stove and beige floor.

Micieli Design New Project

Micieli Design

dining table with extension
Design ideas for a mid-sized contemporary open plan dining in Toronto with white walls, dark hardwood floors and brown floor.

Ogden Duplex New Builds

Interior Design Shoppe

Photo of a mid-sized contemporary open plan dining in Calgary with beige walls, vinyl floors, no fireplace and grey floor.

Lake House New Construction

Leighanne LaMarre Interiors

Inspiration for a mid-sized country kitchen/dining combo in Detroit with beige walls, medium hardwood floors, no fireplace and brown floor.

Cotswold cottage

Jo Shore Ltd

Rachael Smith
This is an example of a small country kitchen/dining combo in Oxfordshire with white walls.

Cove Remodel

Studio McGee

Mid-sized beach style kitchen/dining combo in Salt Lake City with white walls, medium hardwood floors, no fireplace and multi-coloured floor.

Earthwind Elegant Kitchen and Living Room

Alair Homes Plano

Our clients wanted to open up their living space for better flow so that they could entertain friends and family in a more functional space. They wanted to remove the wall separating the family room and the kitchen and completely gut the kitchen and start over. This also entailed removing the built-in bar area and breakfast nook. They weren’t sure if they wanted to keep the skylight or if it would even work with the new layout or not. The various ceiling heights were also going to be a challenge in the family room and breakfast nook. They also wanted to explore options for a dry bar and/or a coffee bar area. They wanted to keep their new kitchen classic, simple, and clean, and they definitely needed design help to see what it was going to look like. We removed the door to the hallway, closed off the pass-through to the wet bar, and moved two doors on the opposite end of the kitchen. Most importantly, we removed the large built-in bookcase wall between the kitchen and living room! The entire kitchen was demolished, and the renovation began. Linen painted Waypoint cabinets were installed with Successi French Gold hardware. Our client picked out gorgeous Sea Pearl quartzite countertops, making this kitchen clean and sophisticated, with a subtle backsplash using Nabi Tundra 3x6 Ceramic Tile to create a slight contrast. A white Platus 33” single-basin farmhouse fireclay kitchen sink with an apron front was put in, giving it that modern farmhouse feel. All new stainless steel Thermador appliances were installed, really making this kitchen pop! To top it off, the skylight remained as-is and worked perfectly with the new layout, sitting directly above the center of the new large island. Two Darlana small lantern island pendants from Visual Comfort were hung to add a simple, decorative touch to the center of their new open kitchen. New built-ins were installed in the dining area, with floor-to-ceiling cabinets on either end for extra storage and glass front cabinets in the center, above a gorgeous coffee bar. Our clients chose a Metrolume Chandelier from Shades of Light to hang over the dining room table and create a warm eating area. This space went from totally closed off and not their style to a beautiful, classic kitchen that our clients absolutely love. Their boys and their dog, Rusty, also love their new, wide-open living space!

HGTV Property Brothers "Forever-Home"

Creation 7

Photo of a transitional kitchen/dining combo in Other with white walls and white floor.

オリーブの木が迎える家

株式会社中野工務店

Design ideas for an asian kitchen/dining combo in Other with white walls, medium hardwood floors and brown floor.

West Indies with a Contemporary Flair

Stofft Cooney Architects

This is an example of a transitional kitchen/dining combo in Miami with white walls, medium hardwood floors and brown floor.

Black Metal Stair Rail in Modern Urban Farmhouse - Magnolia Home Style

Madison Modern Home

Christopher Lee
Design ideas for a country open plan dining in Los Angeles with white walls, medium hardwood floors and brown floor.

Luxe 2

Hri Design

Design ideas for a contemporary open plan dining in Denver with brown walls, medium hardwood floors and brown floor.

HGTV goes to Highland Park

New Generation Home Improvements

Design ideas for a transitional kitchen/dining combo in Los Angeles with white walls, medium hardwood floors and brown floor.

Dining room built in sideboard with glass display case for china and crystal

David Bauer, Cornerstone Builders of SW Fl

Large Built in sideboard with glass upper cabinets to display crystal and china in the dining room. Cabinets are painted shaker doors with glass inset panels. the project was designed by David Bauer and built by Cornerstone Builders of SW FL. in Naples the client loved her round mirror and wanted to incorporate it into the project so we used it as part of the backsplash display. The built in actually made the dining room feel larger.

Dining Room - Open Plan Dining and Kitchen/Dining Combo Design Ideas

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!