A contemporary holiday home located on Victoria's Mornington Peninsula featuring rammed earth walls, timber lined ceilings and flagstone floors. This home incorporates strong, natural elements and the joinery throughout features custom, stained oak timber cabinetry and natural limestone benchtops. With a nod to the mid century modern era and a balance of natural, warm elements this home displays a uniquely Australian design style. This home is a cocoon like sanctuary for rejuvenation and relaxation with all the modern conveniences one could wish for thoughtfully integrated.

Central Residence

Dylan Barber Building Design

Large contemporary open plan dining in Geelong with concrete floors.

Dorf Residence

Todd Zwigard Architects

Large country open plan dining in New York with white walls, medium hardwood floors and brown floor.

elder

Inspiration for a large traditional dining room in Melbourne with green walls, carpet, a standard fireplace and a stone fireplace surround.

House on Turtle Back

Joseph B Lanza Design + Building

This project began with a handsome center-entrance Colonial Revival house in a neighborhood where land values and house sizes had grown enormously since my clients moved there in the 1980s. Tear-downs had become standard in the area, but the house was in excellent condition and had a lovely recent kitchen. So we kept the existing structure as a starting point for additions that would maximize the potential beauty and value of the site A highly detailed Gambrel-roofed gable reaches out to the street with a welcoming entry porch. The existing dining room and stair hall were pushed out with new glazed walls to create a bright and expansive interior. At the living room, a new angled bay brings light and a feeling of spaciousness to what had been a rather narrow room. At the back of the house, a six-sided family room with a vaulted ceiling wraps around the existing kitchen. Skylights in the new ceiling bring light to the old kitchen windows and skylights. At the head of the new stairs, a book-lined sitting area is the hub between the master suite, home office, and other bedrooms.

Contemporary Basement

Kasabella

Photo of a large contemporary dining room in Seattle with grey walls, dark hardwood floors, no fireplace and brown floor.

Athletic Club Dr

Virtual Studio Innovations

Photo of a large traditional separate dining room in Atlanta with beige walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, brown floor and wallpaper.

Greenwich Mid-Century Residence

Douglas Graneto Design

Inspiration for a large transitional separate dining room in New York with grey walls, dark hardwood floors, no fireplace and brown floor.

House Extension- Wimbledon

Gregory Phillips Architects

Large contemporary dining room in London.

Fairview Row - Five Points

Beacon Street

A fresh reinterpretation of historic influences is at the center of our design philosophy; we’ve combined innovative materials and traditional architecture with modern finishes such as generous floor plans, open living concepts, gracious window placements, and superior finishes. With personalized interior detailing and gracious proportions filled with natural light, Fairview Row offers residents an intimate place to call home. It’s a unique community where traditional elegance speaks to the nature of the neighborhood in a way that feels fresh and relevant for today. Smith Hardy Photos

Chatham, NJ

Valerie Grant Interiors

Peter Rymwid
Photo of a large traditional separate dining room in New York with dark hardwood floors, no fireplace and beige walls.

32 Perkins St

Instant Interiors LLC

Design ideas for a large traditional separate dining room in Boston with yellow walls, medium hardwood floors, no fireplace and brown floor.

Zeen & Cosy

MAGAZINE MAISONS DE CAMPAGNE

Large country kitchen/dining combo in Paris with beige walls and concrete floors.

Cliff Lane at The Dominion

A-Design By Gustavo Arredondo, Inc.

Large contemporary separate dining room in Austin with beige walls, light hardwood floors, beige floor and no fireplace.

Chicago Traditional Residence

ASI Interiors

This is an example of a large traditional separate dining room in Chicago with blue walls, dark hardwood floors and a standard fireplace.

South Florida Modern Glam, *Photo Credit to Nekoda Studios

Spaces By Leah

Stunning breakfast nook in this open concept South Florida home.
Inspiration for a large contemporary dining room in Miami.

Drew McGukin Interiors - Boston Dining Room

Drew McGukin Interiors @drewmcgukin

Inspiration for a large contemporary separate dining room in Boston with white walls.

Dining room

Stanton Homes

Archways open to the front entry and kitchen. Design Build Chapel Hill Custom Homes by Stanton Homes.
This is an example of a large traditional separate dining room in Raleigh with green walls and medium hardwood floors.

Custom Home in Foxcroft

Chiott Custom Homes, Inc.

Joe Purvis
Design ideas for a large transitional open plan dining in Charlotte with white walls and medium hardwood floors.

Dining with Style

Sharer Design Group LLC

Besek Photography
Photo of a large traditional kitchen/dining combo in Detroit with green walls and dark hardwood floors.

Large Green Dining Room 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!