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

Contemporary Home Remodel

Soundesign Group Architects, PLLC

Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary open plan dining in Seattle with white walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and beige floor.

Hartland Pond House

Demetriades + Walker

Peter Peirce Photographer
This is an example of a mid-sized contemporary kitchen/dining combo in Other with white walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and grey floor.

Waterfront

Carolyn Thayer interiors

Cary Hazlegrove photography
Mid-sized beach style separate dining room in Boston with white walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and beige floor.

Contemporary Spec Home

Gibson Gimpel Interior Design

Dining Room with View of Fireplace & Entry [Photography by Dan Piassick]
Photo of a mid-sized contemporary separate dining room in Dallas with a two-sided fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, white walls, light hardwood floors and beige floor.

Bellbrook Modern

Springhouse Architects, LLC

Kelly Ann Photos
Photo of a mid-sized modern kitchen/dining combo in Cincinnati with marble floors, a ribbon fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and white walls.

Beach Style Dining Room

Design ideas for a mid-sized beach style open plan dining in Other with white walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and a stone fireplace surround.

Tehama Grasshopper

Fougeron Architecture FAIA

This is an example of a mid-sized industrial kitchen/dining combo in San Francisco with white walls, dark hardwood floors, brown floor, a corner fireplace and a stone fireplace surround.

Inglenook Grove

Riverwood Homes of Colorado

Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional open plan dining in Denver with beige walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and beige floor.

Open Floor Plan Single Family House Los Angeles

GAVIN GREEN HOME DESIGN LLC

This sophisticated luxurious contemporary transitional dining area features custom-made adjustable maple wood table with brass finishes, velvet upholstery treatment chairs with detailed welts in contrast colors, grasscloth wallcovering, gold chandeliers and champagne architectural design details.

Concord Kitchen

Woodcliff Builders, Inc.

Design ideas for a mid-sized transitional open plan dining in San Francisco with grey walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and brown floor.

Contemporary Fireplace Design in Andersonville

Habitar Design

Designer, Kapan Shipman, created two contemporary fireplaces and unique built-in displays in this historic Andersonville home. The living room cleverly uses the unique angled space to house a sleek stone and wood fireplace with built in shelving and wall-mounted tv. We also custom built a vertical built-in closet at the back entryway as a mini mudroom for extra storage at the door. In the open-concept dining room, a gorgeous white stone gas fireplace is the focal point with a built-in credenza buffet for the dining area. At the front entryway, Kapan designed one of our most unique built ins with floor-to-ceiling wood beams anchoring white pedestal boxes for display. Another beauty is the industrial chic stairwell combining steel wire and a dark reclaimed wood bannister.

Mountain Home: Dining Room

Michelle Yorke Interior Design LLC

A contemporary farmhouse dining room with some surprising accents fabrics! A mixture of wood adds contrast and keeps the open space from looking monotonous. Black accented chandeliers and luscious green velvets add the finishing touch, making this dining area pop! Designed by Michelle Yorke Interiors who also serves Seattle as well as Seattle's Eastside suburbs from Mercer Island all the way through Issaquah. For more about Michelle Yorke, click here: https://michelleyorkedesign.com/

Appartamento RJ

Davide Galli - Fotografo

Davide Galli
Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary kitchen/dining combo in Milan with white walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and a stone fireplace surround.

Singleton Bend_Dining Room

Square Construction

This is an example of a mid-sized modern open plan dining in Austin with beige walls, ceramic floors, a standard fireplace and a stone fireplace surround.

Fireplaces using Buechel Stone

Buechel Stone Corp

This home features an outdoor fireplace using Buechel Stone's Mill Creek Colonial Blend. Click on the tag to see more at www.buechelstone.com/shoppingcart/products/Mill-Creek-Col....

Ahwatukee Arizona full house remodel

D'amore IDS

Mid-sized transitional kitchen/dining combo in Phoenix with beige walls, medium hardwood floors, a stone fireplace surround, brown floor and a two-sided fireplace.

AFTER

KJB FIREPLACES

This is an example of a mid-sized traditional open plan dining in New York with beige walls, light hardwood floors, a two-sided fireplace and a stone fireplace surround.

Modern Craftsman Custom Homes

Ritchie Construction Ltd

Inspiration for a mid-sized modern open plan dining in Vancouver with white walls, dark hardwood floors, brown floor, no fireplace and a stone fireplace surround.

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.

Mid-sized Dining Room Design Ideas with a Stone Fireplace Surround

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!