A palette of earth tones grounded by a serene green define the breakfast room. The Stark Indian rug adds casual warmth. Bronze lighting finished in walnut echoes the richness of the Habersham table. photo credit: Gordon Beall

Coastal modern farmhouse dining room built in detail

Amy Fox Interiors

This is an example of a large beach style kitchen/dining combo in Miami with white walls, porcelain floors, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace surround and beige floor.

Bull Residence

HILL HOUSE INTERIORS AND DESIGN

The client wanted a quiet mix of warm, and soft earth tones with clean and contemporary lines. The result was a harmony of subtle texture in the wicker pendant and fun tassled, curtain panels and smooth finished of the natural wood, contemporary furniture.

Illustrators Botanical House

Intervention Architecture

Mid-sized scandinavian kitchen/dining combo in West Midlands with white walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a plaster fireplace surround and brown floor.

Lynnhurst Revival

J. Jorgensen

Photography: 2nd Truth Photography
Mid-sized scandinavian kitchen/dining combo in Minneapolis with white walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and white floor.

Contemporary Renovation

Glennwood Custom Builders

Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary kitchen/dining combo in Other with white walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a wood fireplace surround and brown floor.

Willow Lake Condo

Sandra Bourgeois Design ASID

Family Antiques reside beside contemporary southwest artworks in the remake of this northwest style condo with an incredible lakeside view.
Photo of a large contemporary kitchen/dining combo in Seattle with beige walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and a stone fireplace surround.

Tuxedo Park Dining

Imani James Interiors

Photo of a large transitional kitchen/dining combo in Atlanta with metallic walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and wallpaper.

Custom Mahogany Mantle

General Woodcraft Inc.

Custom mahogany mantle created by our in-house craftsman.
Photo of a large transitional kitchen/dining combo in Providence with a wood fireplace surround, beige walls, carpet and a standard fireplace.

Aqua Verde Residence

Clark Richardson Architects

The living room flows directly into the dining room. A change in ceiling and wall finish provides a textural and color transition. The fireplace, clad in black Venetian Plaster, marks a central focus and a visual axis.

Berkeley Lake Renovation

TVL Creative Ltd.

[Our Clients] We were so excited to help these new homeowners re-envision their split-level diamond in the rough. There was so much potential in those walls, and we couldn’t wait to delve in and start transforming spaces. Our primary goal was to re-imagine the main level of the home and create an open flow between the space. So, we started by converting the existing single car garage into their living room (complete with a new fireplace) and opening up the kitchen to the rest of the level. [Kitchen] The original kitchen had been on the small side and cut-off from the rest of the home, but after we removed the coat closet, this kitchen opened up beautifully. Our plan was to create an open and light filled kitchen with a design that translated well to the other spaces in this home, and a layout that offered plenty of space for multiple cooks. We utilized clean white cabinets around the perimeter of the kitchen and popped the island with a spunky shade of blue. To add a real element of fun, we jazzed it up with the colorful escher tile at the backsplash and brought in accents of brass in the hardware and light fixtures to tie it all together. Through out this home we brought in warm wood accents and the kitchen was no exception, with its custom floating shelves and graceful waterfall butcher block counter at the island. [Dining Room] The dining room had once been the home’s living room, but we had other plans in mind. With its dramatic vaulted ceiling and new custom steel railing, this room was just screaming for a dramatic light fixture and a large table to welcome one-and-all. [Living Room] We converted the original garage into a lovely little living room with a cozy fireplace. There is plenty of new storage in this space (that ties in with the kitchen finishes), but the real gem is the reading nook with two of the most comfortable armchairs you’ve ever sat in. [Master Suite] This home didn’t originally have a master suite, so we decided to convert one of the bedrooms and create a charming suite that you’d never want to leave. The master bathroom aesthetic quickly became all about the textures. With a sultry black hex on the floor and a dimensional geometric tile on the walls we set the stage for a calm space. The warm walnut vanity and touches of brass cozy up the space and relate with the feel of the rest of the home. We continued the warm wood touches into the master bedroom, but went for a rich accent wall that elevated the sophistication level and sets this space apart. [Hall Bathroom] The floor tile in this bathroom still makes our hearts skip a beat. We designed the rest of the space to be a clean and bright white, and really let the lovely blue of the floor tile pop. The walnut vanity cabinet (complete with hairpin legs) adds a lovely level of warmth to this bathroom, and the black and brass accents add the sophisticated touch we were looking for. [Office] We loved the original built-ins in this space, and knew they needed to always be a part of this house, but these 60-year-old beauties definitely needed a little help. We cleaned up the cabinets and brass hardware, switched out the formica counter for a new quartz top, and painted wall a cheery accent color to liven it up a bit. And voila! We have an office that is the envy of the neighborhood.

Custom Home Addition & Kitchen Remodel Fairfax VA

Thomas Custom Builders

Small traditional kitchen/dining combo in DC Metro with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace surround and brown floor.

North Oaks Mid-Century Modern

Megan Dent, AKBD

Scott Amundson
Design ideas for a large midcentury kitchen/dining combo in Minneapolis with green walls, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace surround, brown floor and medium hardwood floors.

Hidden Hills

North Design

Midcentury kitchen/dining combo in Los Angeles with white walls, terra-cotta floors, a standard fireplace and brown floor.

Captain's House on Cape Cod

Bee's Knees Design, LLC

Design ideas for a mid-sized country kitchen/dining combo in Boston with beige walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a plaster fireplace surround and brown floor.

Long Beach Midcentury Modern

Soko Design

Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary kitchen/dining combo in Los Angeles with white walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and a tile fireplace surround.

New England Family Style House with an Eclectic Twist

Shelley Morris Interiors

Photography by Michael Biondo
Inspiration for a transitional kitchen/dining combo in New York with orange walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and a stone fireplace surround.

Lake Oasis

Wineteer Construction

Lantern Light Photography
Photo of a large country kitchen/dining combo in Kansas City with yellow walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and a stone fireplace surround.

NOTTING HILL MAISONETTE No 1

STEPHEN FLETCHER ARCHITECTS

The kitchen units, by Mowlem & Co, are located to either side of the chimney breast in the rear room. A neutral colour scheme, with some reflective finishes, has carefully been chosen to complement the parquet flooring and our clients' furniture and artworks. Photography: Bruce Hemming

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.

Kitchen/Dining Combo Design Ideas with a Standard Fireplace

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!