Collaborating with Stern McCafferty, Artaic fabricated this custom mosaic using an image of their daughter during vacation. The minimal design is refreshingly modern, and the abundant sunlight works perfectly with the mosaic backsplash, lighting up the glass tile to make the swimmer sparkle. Photograph by Eric Roth.

Moose Hollow

Alexander Design Build

Photo of a contemporary dining room in Salt Lake City with white walls, dark hardwood floors and brown floor.

Carmel Historic

Masterwork Builders

This is an example of a small traditional separate dining room in Other with white walls, dark hardwood floors, no fireplace and brown floor.

Casual Coastal

Nesting Place Interiors

Jessie Preza
Mid-sized beach style kitchen/dining combo in Jacksonville with green walls, dark hardwood floors and brown floor.

Banister Court Renovation

BGI Design

This is an example of a large transitional open plan dining in Dallas with metallic walls, medium hardwood floors, brown floor, wallpaper and wallpaper.

Dining Rooms

Room Reimagined Design - Gina Wolleat

Transitional dining room in Minneapolis with blue walls, dark hardwood floors, brown floor and decorative wall panelling.

Crisp Blue and White Dining Room

Impeccably Designed Homes by Donna Hoffman

WINNER OF IDS DESIGNER OF THE YEAR AWARD 2014 Like all the spaces we design, this room is totally about the people who live in it. True, the room started as a blank empty box, and while this couple likes architectural interest, the low ceiling was a challenge. Our solution was to add a wonderful niche – perfect to correct the uneven window wall AND indulge an architectural craving. Au courante grass cloth wallpaper and a modern rug are the perfect foil for the refreshing furnishings and appointments that span from 19th century to mid-century to modern.

Modern Canyon Home

Stratos Form

Design ideas for a large modern open plan dining in Orange County with white walls, porcelain floors, brown floor and vaulted.

Renovation d'un Appartement à Paris 7ème

SARL ESPACE AMENAGEMENT DECORATION

Salle à manger avec table mise
Large traditional separate dining room in Paris with blue walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, brown floor and exposed beam.

Color Consultation

Zylstra Art & Design

Zylstra Art and Design was hired to do a color consultation to update the look and style of the home, along with artwork and furniture placement. This listed 1.2 million dollar home is staged to sell!

Craftsman 2.0 - South Los Angeles

Quality By Design Home Renovations

Eclectic separate dining room in Los Angeles with white walls, medium hardwood floors and brown floor.

Contemporary Dining Room

Inspiration for a contemporary dining room in Chicago with grey walls, medium hardwood floors and brown floor.

Villas at Aspen Heights

Rockwood Custom Homes

This is an example of a large modern open plan dining in Calgary with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and brown floor.

Lagom Residence

CB Architecture + Design

Eric Rorer
This is an example of a large midcentury open plan dining in San Francisco with white walls, medium hardwood floors and brown floor.

Danville Transitional Remodel

Kimberley Harrison Interiors

Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional separate dining room in San Francisco with grey walls, dark hardwood floors, brown floor, a standard fireplace and a stone fireplace surround.

711 Silver Creek

Domus

Photo of a mid-sized midcentury open plan dining in Baltimore with grey walls, medium hardwood floors, no fireplace and brown floor.

Dining Room

Kim Kendall Interiors

This is an example of a large traditional separate dining room in DC Metro with white walls, a stone fireplace surround, medium hardwood floors and brown floor.

Wanless Park

Meghan Carter Design Inc.

Open concept dining room with accent wall. Photography by Leslie Goodwin Photography
Design ideas for a mid-sized traditional kitchen/dining combo in Toronto with white walls, medium hardwood floors, no fireplace and brown floor.

City Townhome

Kim Scodro Interiors

Werner Straube
Photo of a large traditional separate dining room in Chicago with beige walls, dark hardwood floors, no fireplace and brown floor.

Transitional Downtown Abode, Full Home Design

User

The dining room is framed by a metallic silver ceiling and molding alongside red and orange striped draperies paired with woven wood blinds. A contemporary nude painting hangs above a pair of vintage ivory lamps atop a vintage orange buffet. Black rattan chairs with red leather seats surround a transitional stained trestle table, and the teal walls set off the room’s dark walnut wood floors and aqua blue hemp and wool rug.

Grey Dining Room Design Ideas with Brown Floor

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!