Stylish study area with engineered wood flooring from Chaunceys Timber Flooring
Photo of a small country kitchen/dining combo in Sussex with light hardwood floors and panelled walls.

Farmhouse on the Lake

SKD Architects

Saari & Forrai Photography MSI Custom Homes, LLC
Photo of a large country kitchen/dining combo in Minneapolis with white walls, medium hardwood floors, no fireplace, brown floor, coffered and panelled walls.

Post + Beam Reimagined

Melinda Mandell Interior Design

Originally, the dining layout was too small for our clients needs. We reconfigured the space to allow for a larger dining table to entertain guests. Adding the layered lighting installation helped to define the longer space and bring organic flow and loose curves above the angular custom dining table. The door to the pantry is disguised by the wood paneling on the wall.

Cardiff Road, Taffs Well

Glorious Spaces

What problems do you want to solve?: I want to replace a large, dark leaking conservatory with an extension to bring all year round living and light into a dark kitchen. Open my cellar floor to be one with the garden, Tell us about your project and your ideas so far: I’ve replaced the kitchen in the last 5 years, but the conservatory is a go area in the winter, I have a beautiful garden and want to be able to see it all year. My idea would be to build an extension for living with a fully opening glass door, partial living roof with lantern. Then I would like to take down the external wall between the kitchen and the new room to make it one space. Things, places, people and materials you love: I work as a consultant virologist and have spent the last 15 months on the frontline in work for long hours, I love nature and green space. I love my garden. Our last holiday was to Vancouver island - whale watching and bird watching. I want sustainable and environmentally friendly living.

Monterey Project

M&P Design Group

Dining room
Inspiration for a large eclectic dining room in New York with blue walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, brown floor, wallpaper and panelled walls.

Modern Farmhouse Style Dining Room

ITECTDESIGN LLC.

A modern farmhouse style dining room design featuring 8-person dining set with wood legs and a marble top table. This dining room presents a neutral color palette with pops of greenery a worm-colored rug and an exposed wood beam ceiling design.

Gold Coast Classic

Dan Rak Design

This is an example of a traditional separate dining room in Chicago with white walls, dark hardwood floors, brown floor and panelled walls.

Form Marries Function

Ashley Campbell Interior Design

Layers of texture and high contrast in this mid-century modern dining room. Inhabit living recycled wall flats painted in a high gloss charcoal paint as the feature wall. Three-sided flare fireplace adds warmth and visual interest to the dividing wall between dining room and den.

Grade II Listed Georgian Townhouse - Dining Room

Emma Tutill Ltd

Photo of a large transitional separate dining room in London with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, brown floor and panelled walls.

Modern Lakehouse

IDESIGN - Interiors by Kristin

This modern lakeside home in Manitoba exudes our signature luxurious yet laid back aesthetic.
Large transitional dining room in Other with white walls, laminate floors, a ribbon fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, brown floor and panelled walls.

California Chic

SKIN Interior Design

California Chic
Photo of a mid-sized beach style kitchen/dining combo in Chicago with white walls, medium hardwood floors, no fireplace, beige floor and panelled walls.

HOUSE IN KENSINGTON

STEPHEN FLETCHER ARCHITECTS

Photo of a large traditional open plan dining in London with green walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, brown floor, exposed beam and panelled walls.

Интерьер SC

INT2architecture

Design ideas for a mid-sized contemporary separate dining room in Moscow with white walls, medium hardwood floors and panelled walls.

Merced

CONCEPT ONE HOMES INC

This is an example of a beach style open plan dining in Orange County with brown walls, dark hardwood floors, no fireplace, brown floor, exposed beam and panelled walls.

East Willowdale

Pizzale Design Inc.

This is an example of a small modern separate dining room in Toronto with white walls, medium hardwood floors, no fireplace, brown floor and panelled walls.

East Nashville | Contemporary Craftsman

design by Christina Perry

A contemporary craftsman East Nashville eat-in kitchen featuring an open concept with white cabinets against light grey walls and dark wood floors. Interior Designer & Photography: design by Christina Perry design by Christina Perry | Interior Design Nashville, TN 37214

Mountain Lakes Historical Home - Dining Room

Grayscale Homes Designs

Design ideas for a mid-sized transitional open plan dining in New York with blue walls, coffered and panelled walls.

Historic Greek Reviewal

Duchess Den Interiors

This is an example of a transitional separate dining room in New York with blue walls, medium hardwood floors, no fireplace, brown floor and panelled walls.

Historic and Grand Home

Wiles Design Group

This grand and historic home renovation transformed the structure from the ground up, creating a versatile, multifunctional space. Meticulous planning and creative design brought the client's vision to life, optimizing functionality throughout. In the dining room, a captivating blend of dark blue-gray glossy walls and silvered ceiling wallpaper creates an ambience of warmth and luxury. Elegant furniture and stunning lighting complement the space, adding a touch of refined sophistication. --- Project by Wiles Design Group. Their Cedar Rapids-based design studio serves the entire Midwest, including Iowa City, Dubuque, Davenport, and Waterloo, as well as North Missouri and St. Louis. For more about Wiles Design Group, see here: https://wilesdesigngroup.com/ To learn more about this project, see here: https://wilesdesigngroup.com/st-louis-historic-home-renovation

Glimmers of Gold l Renovation

My House Design/Build/Team

Inspiration for a large contemporary open plan dining in Vancouver with grey walls, light hardwood floors, beige floor and panelled walls.

Grey Dining Room Design Ideas with Panelled 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!