Mid-sized transitional dining room in DC Metro with grey walls, light hardwood floors and brown floor.

Eastside Tudor Dinette and Picture Wall with Hidden TV

This beautifully-appointed Tudor home is laden with architectural detail. Beautifully-formed plaster moldings, an original stone fireplace, and 1930s-era woodwork were just a few of the features that drew this young family to purchase the home, however the formal interior felt dark and compartmentalized. The owners enlisted Amy Carman Design to lighten the spaces and bring a modern sensibility to their everyday living experience. Modern furnishings, artwork and a carefully hidden TV in the dinette picture wall bring a sense of fresh, on-trend style and comfort to the home. To provide contrast, the ACD team chose a juxtaposition of traditional and modern items, creating a layered space that knits the client's modern lifestyle together the historic architecture of the home.

Bloomfield Hills

Allen & James Interior Design

The breakfast area adjacent to the kitchen did not veer from the New Traditional design of the entire home. Elegant lighting and furnishings were illuminated by an awesome bank of windows. With chairs by Hickory White, table by Iorts and lighting by Currey and Co., each piece is a perfect complement for the gracious space. Photographer: Michael Blevins Photo

Colorful Midcentury Los Angeles, CA

Lauren Jacobsen Interior Design

This breakfast area was a much lower wainscot and cut the room in half. Bad proportions. By raising the height and simplifying the style the room appears taller and brighter. Wallpaper could then be added as a nice warm element of design. We even commissioned the artwork of the coffee cups. Everything thought out to the last detail.

Dining Areas for an Active Family

User

Tony Palmieri
Design ideas for a mid-sized transitional separate dining room in Cleveland with blue walls, medium hardwood floors, no fireplace and brown floor.

Northumberland Avenue Custom

M. Lahr Homes

Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional dining room in Orlando with grey walls, no fireplace and beige floor.

Saddle Rock Hampton style Estate

Prestige Custom Building & Construction, Inc.

This is an example of a mid-sized transitional separate dining room in New York with beige walls, medium hardwood floors, no fireplace and brown floor.

Palmetto Bluff Masterpiece

StoneWorks, Inc.

The great room, with 23 foot ceilings, flows just off the kitchen. The combination of nine operable windows + transoms create this "wall of windows" that allows natural light to flood the great room, while also giving stunning outside views of the lagoon, bridge and village. It serves as a dramatic focal point for the entire living space.

Bachelor Pad Remodel

AMD Interiors, LLC

This 1300 square foot home built in the 60's got a new lease on life after this full remodel took it from dark and dated to bright, fresh and functional. Hallways were widened and used as storage corridors and looked at as a continuation of the space, in order to give each room a more spacious feel. The homeowners love of blue was used tastefully, to inspire the concept of the kitchen. Standard euro-style cabinetry was given a custom inset look with the application of recessed crown and light rail. 3 different styles of cabinet pulls were mixed beautifully, to style up the cabinets even more. This remodel was packed with functional details, the dining table even doubles as a game table for boys night!

Complete Home Renovation

Randal G. Winter Construction Inc.

Mel Carll
Mid-sized transitional kitchen/dining combo in Los Angeles with white walls, slate floors, no fireplace and grey floor.

Courtyard || Remodel || Austin, Texas || Dining Room

Etch Design Group

While the bathroom portion of this project has received press and accolades, the other aspects of this renovation are just as spectacular. Unique and colorful elements reside throughout this home, along with stark paint contrasts and patterns galore.

Property Brothers At Home: Drew's Honeymoon House

Breeze Giannasio Interiors

Meghan Bob Photography
Mid-sized transitional kitchen/dining combo in Los Angeles with white walls, medium hardwood floors and brown floor.

Meadow Stream Abaco B Model Home

Trust Homes

Mid-sized transitional separate dining room in Other with green walls, dark hardwood floors and brown floor.

Portland Heights Neely House

The Works

This is an example of a mid-sized transitional separate dining room in Portland with dark hardwood floors, brown floor and white walls.

Garrison Landing 202

John Kraemer & Sons

Builder: John Kraemer & Sons | Building Architecture: Charlie & Co. Design | Interiors: Martha O'Hara Interiors | Photography: Landmark Photography
This is an example of a mid-sized transitional open plan dining in Minneapolis with grey walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and a stone fireplace surround.

Northville, MI Whole Home Makeover

Dan Davis Design

Originally, the room had wainscoting that was not in scale. Architectural interest was added by creating an entirely new wainscoting. The new picture rail on the wainscoting allows for an interesting art display that repeats the angular shapes in the wainscoting.

Churchill Way residence

M K Star Designs

Dan Piassick Photography
Design ideas for a mid-sized transitional separate dining room in Dallas with beige walls, dark hardwood floors and no fireplace.

New Manor Residence

Whitlock Builders

Design ideas for a mid-sized transitional separate dining room in Charlotte with white walls, light hardwood floors, no fireplace and beige floor.

Allen Court

Carl Mattison Design

Dining Room with feature wall of custom designed cabinets and judge's paneling throughout
Design ideas for a mid-sized transitional dining room in Atlanta with blue walls and medium hardwood floors.

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.

Mid-sized Transitional Dining Room Design Ideas

A transitional 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 transitional 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 transitional 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 transitional 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!