Formal Dining with Butler's Pantry that connects this space to the Kitchen beyond.
Inspiration for a mid-sized separate dining room in New Orleans with white walls, dark hardwood floors and no fireplace.

Traditional Homes

RDM General Contractors

Photo of a mid-sized traditional separate dining room in Orange County with black walls, dark hardwood floors and no fireplace.

Mid-Century Raised Ranch Remodel

The Artisans Group, Inc.

Winner of the 2018 Tour of Homes Best Remodel, this whole house re-design of a 1963 Bennet & Johnson mid-century raised ranch home is a beautiful example of the magic we can weave through the application of more sustainable modern design principles to existing spaces. We worked closely with our client on extensive updates to create a modernized MCM gem. Extensive alterations include: - a completely redesigned floor plan to promote a more intuitive flow throughout - vaulted the ceilings over the great room to create an amazing entrance and feeling of inspired openness - redesigned entry and driveway to be more inviting and welcoming as well as to experientially set the mid-century modern stage - the removal of a visually disruptive load bearing central wall and chimney system that formerly partitioned the homes’ entry, dining, kitchen and living rooms from each other - added clerestory windows above the new kitchen to accentuate the new vaulted ceiling line and create a greater visual continuation of indoor to outdoor space - drastically increased the access to natural light by increasing window sizes and opening up the floor plan - placed natural wood elements throughout to provide a calming palette and cohesive Pacific Northwest feel - incorporated Universal Design principles to make the home Aging In Place ready with wide hallways and accessible spaces, including single-floor living if needed - moved and completely redesigned the stairway to work for the home’s occupants and be a part of the cohesive design aesthetic - mixed custom tile layouts with more traditional tiling to create fun and playful visual experiences - custom designed and sourced MCM specific elements such as the entry screen, cabinetry and lighting - development of the downstairs for potential future use by an assisted living caretaker - energy efficiency upgrades seamlessly woven in with much improved insulation, ductless mini splits and solar gain

Applewood Atomic Kitchen

TVL Creative Ltd.

When a client tells us they’re a mid-century collector and long for a kitchen design unlike any other we are only too happy to oblige. This kitchen is saturated in mid-century charm and its custom features make it difficult to pin-point our favorite aspect! Cabinetry We had the pleasure of partnering with one of our favorite Denver cabinet shops to make our walnut dreams come true! We were able to include a multitude of custom features in this kitchen including frosted glass doors in the island, open cubbies, a hidden cutting board, and great interior cabinet storage. But what really catapults these kitchen cabinets to the next level is the eye-popping angled wall cabinets with sliding doors, a true throwback to the magic of the mid-century kitchen. Streamline brushed brass cabinetry pulls provided the perfect lux accent against the handsome walnut finish of the slab cabinetry doors. Tile Amidst all the warm clean lines of this mid-century kitchen we wanted to add a splash of color and pattern, and a funky backsplash tile did the trick! We utilized a handmade yellow picket tile with a high variation to give us a bit of depth; and incorporated randomly placed white accent tiles for added interest and to compliment the white sliding doors of the angled cabinets, helping to bring all the materials together. Counter We utilized a quartz along the counter tops that merged lighter tones with the warm tones of the cabinetry. The custom integrated drain board (in a starburst pattern of course) means they won’t have to clutter their island with a large drying rack. As an added bonus, the cooktop is recessed into the counter, to create an installation flush with the counter surface. Stair Rail Not wanting to miss an opportunity to add a touch of geometric fun to this home, we designed a custom steel handrail. The zig-zag design plays well with the angles of the picket tiles and the black finish ties in beautifully with the black metal accents in the kitchen. Lighting We removed the original florescent light box from this kitchen and replaced it with clean recessed lights with accents of recessed undercabinet lighting and a terrifically vintage fixture over the island that pulls together the black and brushed brass metal finishes throughout the space. This kitchen has transformed into a strikingly unique space creating the perfect home for our client’s mid-century treasures.

Colorful Dining Room

Ann Lowengart Interiors

To eliminate an inconsistent layout, we removed the wall dividing the dining room from the living room and added a polished brass and ebonized wood handrail to create a sweeping view into the living room. To highlight the family’s passion for reading, we created a beautiful library with custom shelves flanking a niche wallpapered with Flavor Paper’s bold Glow print with color-coded book spines to add pops of color. Tom Dixon pendant lights, acrylic chairs, and a geometric hide rug complete the look.

Custom Kitchen

Nunley Remodeling and Stanton Landscape

Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional kitchen/dining combo in San Francisco with beige walls, porcelain floors, no fireplace and multi-coloured floor.

Happy Transitional

TATE|studio

This space does double duty for our client, serving as a homework station, lounge, and small entertaining space. We used a hexagonal shape for the quartz table top to get the most seating in this small dining room.

Lakeside Cabin - Photographs from Image Interiors & Living Magazine

Egon Walesch Interior Design

Photographs by Doreen Kilfeather appeared in Image Interiors Magazine, July/August 2016 These photographs convey a sense of the beautiful lakeside location of the property, as well as the comprehensive refurbishment to update the midcentury cottage. The cottage, which won the RTÉ television programme Home of the Year is a tranquil home for interior designer Egon Walesch and his partner in county Westmeath, Ireland. Walls throughout are painted Farrow & Ball Cornforth White. Doors, skirting, window frames, beams painted in Farrow & Ball Strong White. Floors treated with Woca White Oil. Bespoke kitchen by Jim Kelly in Farrow & Ball Downpipe. Vintage Louis Poulsen pendant lamps above Ercol table and Eames DSR chairs. Vintage rug from Morocco.

Luttrell Street #1

Open Door Architecture

Denise Retallack Photography
This is an example of a mid-sized transitional separate dining room in Other with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a corner fireplace and a tile fireplace surround.

Beacon Hill Residence

Artaic - Innovative Mosaic

Collaborating with Stern McCafferty, Artaic fabricated this custom mosaic using an image of their daughter during vacation. The minimal design is refreshingly modern, and the abundant sunlight works perfectly with the mosaic backsplash, lighting up the glass tile to make the swimmer sparkle. Photograph by Eric Roth.

Glastonbury Residence - Traditional

Eclectic Design Inc.

Inspiration for a mid-sized traditional separate dining room in New York with red walls, medium hardwood floors and no fireplace.

Hardwood Floors

Etched In Stone

This is an example of a mid-sized traditional separate dining room in Other with orange walls and medium hardwood floors.

Florida Coastal Retreat

Wiles Design Group

We transformed this Florida home into a modern beach-themed second home with thoughtful designs for entertaining and family time. In the dining space, a wooden dining table takes center stage, surrounded by chairs upholstered in vibrant green, perfectly complementing the beach theme. Elegant lighting and a beautiful carpet add a touch of sophistication to this inviting space. ---Project by Wiles Design Group. Their Cedar Rapids-based design studio serves the entire Midwest, including Iowa City, Dubuque, Davenport, and Waterloo, as well as North Missouri and St. Louis. For more about Wiles Design Group, see here: https://wilesdesigngroup.com/ To learn more about this project, see here: https://wilesdesigngroup.com/florida-coastal-home-transformation

Urban Oasis

Interior Inspirations

Mid-sized traditional separate dining room in Calgary with a standard fireplace, a plaster fireplace surround, purple walls, medium hardwood floors and brown floor.

Dining Room to Kitchen

Dion Robeson

Photography: Dion Photography
Mid-sized contemporary kitchen/dining combo in Perth with white walls and concrete floors.

Midtown NYC Apartment

Lindsay MacRae Interiors, LLC

Robert Englebright
This is an example of a mid-sized contemporary open plan dining in New York with medium hardwood floors and white walls.

Kips Bay Decorator Show House

Sara Bengur Interiors

For the light-bathed room off the hard-working kitchen, Sara began with spellbinding color as inspiration. On the walls she used an earthy, hot-flashing orange, a hue of fruits and flowers, and covered the banquette in brilliant turquoise, a cool pool of complementary color. Playful, freewheeling, and unconventional, the space offers both safe harbor and escape. Photo Credit: Johnny Valiant ( http://www.jonnyvaliant.com/)

Dining Room

Camille Saum Interior Design

This is an example of a mid-sized traditional open plan dining in DC Metro with yellow walls.

Dining Room with Coretec Luxury Vinyl Plank Flooring

Advanced Interiors

Mid-sized transitional open plan dining in Grand Rapids with beige walls, vinyl floors and brown floor.

Highlands, NC Vacation Home

Melissa Galt Interiors

My client collects quilts and this is one of her favorites. Rather than relegate them to a chest or on beds, I used this as one of the inspirations for the color scheme. She had the table and chairs in storage and was thrilled to finally be able to incorporate them. If you notice, the leather chair from the entrance is in the foreground, easy to pull in for extra seating. Notice the rooster on the wall by the door. Photo Credit: Robert Thien

Mid-sized Orange 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!