Open concept dining room. See through fireplace clad in shiplap. Marble dining table with Restoration Hardware linear chandelier. Black front door. Photo credit to Clarity NW

A 19th Century Grande Dame

John Altobello Architecture

Greg Premru Photography http://www.gregpremruphotography.com

Simply Coastal

Kathy Ann Abell Interiors

Megan Meek
Photo of a mid-sized beach style open plan dining in San Diego with white walls, ceramic floors, a standard fireplace, a wood fireplace surround and beige floor.

Boat House Design & Renovation

Moore House Design

Open Concept Dining Room into the kitchen with a beautiful arch detailing. Custom Table and simple chairs mixing antiques with new modern pieces.
Design ideas for a mid-sized traditional kitchen/dining combo in Providence with white walls, painted wood floors, a standard fireplace, a wood fireplace surround and black floor.

ALEXANDRIA

Studio 1 Interiors

Mid-sized transitional open plan dining in Sydney with white walls, medium hardwood floors, brown floor and a wood fireplace surround.

Listed Mayfair

Cochrane Design

Photographer: Paul Craig The pelmets and curtains on top of these dining room windows encapsulate the traditional feel of this London property. The warm walnut finishes on the dining table, the mirror frame, the fireplace and the chair legs are beautifully matched together along with the panelling and cornicing that is in a soft off-white farrow and ball colour. This dining room is crowned with glass chandeliers and antique metal lamps which complete the traditional feel of the space.

Lakeside Modern Lodge

HAUS | Architecture For Modern Lifestyles

Open concept interior includes blue kitchen island, fireplace clad in charred wood siding, and open riser stair of Eastern White Pine with Viewrail cable rail system and gallery stair wall - HLODGE - Unionville, IN - Lake Lemon - HAUS | Architecture For Modern Lifestyles (architect + photographer) - WERK | Building Modern (builder)

Ravenswood Ground Floor Conversion

Studio Fabbri

Mid-sized contemporary kitchen/dining combo in London with white walls, cork floors, a corner fireplace, a wood fireplace surround and brown floor.

Frontenac Mo-Polished Portland - Home Interior Design

Cure Design Group

Location: Frontenac, Mo Services: Interior Design, Interior Decorating Photo Credit: Cure Design Group One of our most favorite projects...and clients to date. Modern and chic, sophisticated and polished. From the foyer, to the dining room, living room and sun room..each space unique but with a common thread between them. Neutral buttery leathers layered on luxurious area rugs with patterned pillows to make it fun is just the foreground to their art collection. Cure Design Group (636) 294-2343 https://curedesigngroup.com/

Dining Room

Responsible House

Photo credit: Kevin Blackburn
Mid-sized separate dining room in Other with dark hardwood floors, green walls, a standard fireplace and a wood fireplace surround.

Marigold

SALA Architects

This whole-house renovation was the third perennial design iteration for the owner in three decades. The first was a modest cabin. The second added a main level bedroom suite. The third, and most recent, reimagined the entire layout of the original cabin by relocating the kitchen, living , dining and guest/away spaces to prioritize views of a nearby glacial lake with minimal expansion. A vindfang (a functional interpretation of a Norwegian entry chamber) and cantilevered window bay were the only additions to transform this former cabin into an elegant year-round home. Photographed by Spacecrafting

Wicker Park House II

Norsman Architects, Ltd.

Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary open plan dining in Chicago with white walls, concrete floors, a two-sided fireplace, brown floor and a wood fireplace surround.

Claro Dining

Collector's Specialty Woods

Design ideas for a mid-sized contemporary open plan dining in Denver with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a wood fireplace surround and brown floor.

Re-Designs

Studio B Home Staging

Design ideas for a mid-sized transitional separate dining room in Atlanta with grey walls, carpet, a two-sided fireplace and a wood fireplace surround.

Hanover River View Home

Gilberte Interiors, inc

Charles A. Parker / Images Plus
Mid-sized transitional kitchen/dining combo in Burlington with beige walls, a standard fireplace, a wood fireplace surround and medium hardwood floors.

Dining Room Furniture

Dennis Lee Furniture

This is an example of a mid-sized transitional separate dining room in Other with white walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and a wood fireplace surround.

Luxurious country cottage

The Village Workshop Group

Turnkey Interior Styling
This is an example of a mid-sized country open plan dining in Cheshire with beige walls, light hardwood floors, a wood stove and a wood fireplace surround.

Bristol Farm - Maine

Burrow & Nest

The dining room already had a beamed ceiling with painted vintage embossed wallpaper. We added this beautiful vinyl to the walls in a slate blue with modern trellis pattern that suited both the homeowner's tastes. It's washable and adds a perfect sheen to lend a little formality. The trim was given a fresh coat of paint and the fireplace accented in Benjamin Moore's Coventry Grey. A sputnik pendant adds a touch of mid-century glam, juxtaposing the rustic table. The dining table was commissioned locally of reclaimed barnwood. The chairs are of navy tweed, a durable fabric to withstand many family dinners for years to come. A buffet was added to use as a serveboard, as well as provide additional storage. The rug is a durable poly that will withstand spills better than wool.

Townhouse

Jon Andersen Interiors

Dave Henderson
Design ideas for a mid-sized traditional separate dining room in Boston with brown walls, carpet, a standard fireplace and a wood fireplace surround.

Rusholme Restored

M-Squared Contracting Inc.

Design ideas for a mid-sized transitional separate dining room in Toronto with multi-coloured walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a wood fireplace surround and brown floor.

Mid-sized Dining Room Design Ideas with a Wood 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!