Custom dining table with built-in lazy susan. Light fixture by Ingo Mauer: Oh Mei Ma.
Mid-sized contemporary kitchen/dining combo in San Francisco with white walls, light hardwood floors, a two-sided fireplace, beige floor and a metal fireplace surround.

DUEPIÙUNO P5

Tommaso Giunchi Architetti

Vista notturna. Le fonti luminose artificiali sono molto variegate per creare differenti scenari, grazie anche al sistema domotico.
Expansive contemporary kitchen/dining combo in Milan with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a two-sided fireplace, a plaster fireplace surround, beige floor and wallpaper.

Dry Bar at Dining Room

Pleasant Barn Road

Dry bar in dining room. Custom millwork design with integrated panel front wine refrigerator and antique mirror glass backsplash with rosettes.
Photo of a mid-sized transitional kitchen/dining combo in New York with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a two-sided fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, brown floor, recessed and panelled walls.

Horses View

The Leland Group

Modern farmhouse describes this open concept, light and airy ranch home with modern and rustic touches. Precisely positioned on a large lot the owners enjoy gorgeous sunrises from the back left corner of the property with no direct sunlight entering the 14’x7’ window in the front of the home. After living in a dark home for many years, large windows were definitely on their wish list. Three generous sliding glass doors encompass the kitchen, living and great room overlooking the adjacent horse farm and backyard pond. A rustic hickory mantle from an old Ohio barn graces the fireplace with grey stone and a limestone hearth. Rustic brick with scraped mortar adds an unpolished feel to a beautiful built-in buffet.

City Condo

Emerald Hill Interiors

Coyle Studios
Photo of a small transitional kitchen/dining combo in Baltimore with grey walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace surround and brown floor.

Wallrocks French Provincial

Wallrocks

Stunning dining room with original 19th century French oak parquetry top dining table matched with Louis XV dining chairs and gilded French mirror
This is an example of a large country kitchen/dining combo in Brisbane with grey walls, medium hardwood floors and a wood fireplace surround.

Modern Medina Two-Story

Swanson Homes

The dining space and walkout raised patio are separated by Marvin’s bi-fold accordion doors which open up to create a shared indoor/outdoor space with stunning prairie conservation views. The outdoor patio features a clean, contemporary sawn sandstone, built-in grill, and radius stairs leading down to the lower patio/pool at the walkout level.

Acucraft Residential Custom Gas Fireplaces

Acucraft Fireplaces

Acucraft custom gas linear fireplace with glass reveal and blue glass media.
Expansive modern kitchen/dining combo in Boston with white walls, travertine floors, a two-sided fireplace, a brick fireplace surround and grey floor.

Modern Warmth - Energy Efficient New Construction with Open Modern Design

The Chuba Company

Dining Room
Mid-sized contemporary kitchen/dining combo in Minneapolis with white walls, a standard fireplace and a stone fireplace surround.

Open Plan Boston Contemporary Gets Defined

BK Classic Collections Home Stagers

Photo of a small contemporary kitchen/dining combo in Boston with white walls, dark hardwood floors, a ribbon fireplace, a metal fireplace surround and brown floor.

Mid Century Modern Remodel

Chuckanut Builders

The dining room and kitchen flow seamlessly in this mid-century home. The white walls and countertops create visual space while the beautiful white oak cabinets provide abundant storage. Both the exposed wood ceiling and oak floors were existing, we refinished them and color matched new trim as needed.

Pacific NW Modern Dwelling

User

A modern glass fireplace an Ortal Space Creator 120 organically separates this sunken den and dining room. A set of three glazed vases in shades of amber, chartreuse and olive stand on the cream concrete hearth. Wide flagstone steps capped with oak slabs lead the way to the dining room. The base of the espresso stained dining table is accented with zebra wood and rests on an ombre rug in shades of soft green and orange. The table’s centerpiece is a hammered pot filled with greenery. Hanging above the table is a striking modern light fixture with glass globes. The ivory walls and ceiling are punctuated with warm, honey stained alder trim. Orange piping against a tone on tone chocolate fabric covers the dining chairs paying homage to the warm tones of the stained oak floor. The ebony chair legs coordinate with the black of the baby grand piano which stands at the ready for anyone eager to play the room a tune.

18 T St

The Singing Stager

Small transitional kitchen/dining combo in DC Metro with beige walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and brown floor.

Traditional Mountain Roost

User

There’s no statelier way to dine than around the table of this gracious South Carolina mountain home. Far from rustic, the room’s warm and airy grandeur provides an elegant space for both casual meals and elegant soirees. Displayed above the grand cast stone fireplace is a floral still life painting in a watery palette of seafoam and aqua. Celadon vases are filled with dried branches and buds, adding softness and height. Ivory plaster walls keep the space light, while dark gray molding, exposed beams and walnut-stained floors add depth. The windows are painted Sherwin Williams Black Fox. Draperies of white sateen, embellished with champagne embroidery, fall to the floor from metal hardware. Suspended from the plaster ceiling is an iron chandelier, adding its own light to the natural rays flooding across the floor. An espresso-stained trestle table stands on an Oushak rug in shades of almond, ecru and wheat, grounding this traditional dining room. Surrounding the table are large side chairs with carved legs covered in vanilla leather and trimmed with bronze nails. A taupe monogram on the back of each chair adds a personal touch reflecting the owners’ Southern roots. Wing-backed host chairs dressed in a grey and cream mini stripe bookend the table. The table is set with vanilla linen napkins, silver napkin rings and gold placemats. An arrangement of local hydrangeas fills a biscuit-glazed pot, finishes the lush tablescape.

Transitional Farmhouse

Vanguard Studio Inc.

Fine Focus Photography
Inspiration for a large country kitchen/dining combo in Austin with white walls, dark hardwood floors, a two-sided fireplace and a stone fireplace surround.

Bainbridge

NGD Interiors, Inc.

A family breakfast nook receives a powerful punch of color & style.
Inspiration for a small midcentury kitchen/dining combo in Philadelphia with dark hardwood floors, a two-sided fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and green walls.

Berkeley Brown Shingle

AND Interior Design Studio

Peter Lyons
Photo of a mid-sized traditional kitchen/dining combo in San Francisco with beige walls, dark hardwood floors, no fireplace, a wood fireplace surround and brown floor.

Custom Tables

Parc Monceau

Photo Credit: Neil
Inspiration for a mid-sized country kitchen/dining combo in New York with grey walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and brown floor.

Shiplap ShapeUp

GLDESIGN

Photo of a large beach style kitchen/dining combo in Other with white walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a concrete fireplace surround, beige floor and planked wall panelling.

Fossil Creek Breakfast Area

Haven Design and Construction

This beautiful breakfast nook features a metallic cork wallpapered ceiling, a stunning sputnik chandelier, and contemporary artwork in shades of gold and blue.

All Fireplace Surrounds 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!