Design ideas for a mid-sized midcentury open plan dining in New York with beige walls, cork floors, a corner fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and beige floor.

VISTA LAS PALMAS

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Design ideas for a mid-sized midcentury open plan dining with white walls, slate floors, a standard fireplace, a plaster fireplace surround and brown floor.

Hollywood Hills

Bohl Architects

Photo of a midcentury open plan dining in Los Angeles with medium hardwood floors, a two-sided fireplace and a brick fireplace surround.

Modern Walnut Kitchen

TaylorPro Design and Remodeling, Inc.

Photo of a midcentury open plan dining in Tampa with white walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and a stone fireplace surround.

Minneapolis Residence

CHRISTIAN DEAN ARCHITECTURE, LLC

Photo by: Chad Holder
Large midcentury dining room in Minneapolis with white walls, dark hardwood floors, a two-sided fireplace and a stone fireplace surround.

PBH Colip House

PBH Design

Design ideas for a large midcentury open plan dining in Dallas with white walls, bamboo floors, a standard fireplace and a brick fireplace surround.

eichler in marinwood

building Lab, inc.

Eichler in Marinwood - In conjunction to the porous programmatic kitchen block as a connective element, the walls along the main corridor add to the sense of bringing outside in. The fin wall adjacent to the entry has been detailed to have the siding slip past the glass, while the living, kitchen and dining room are all connected by a walnut veneer feature wall running the length of the house. This wall also echoes the lush surroundings of lucas valley as well as the original mahogany plywood panels used within eichlers. photo: scott hargis

Mid-Century Modern Home

Johnson Berman

This Mid-Century Modern residence was infused with rich paint colors and accent lighting to enhance the owner’s modern American furniture and art collections. Large expanses of glass were added to provide views to the new garden entry. All Photographs: Erik Kvalsvik

Four Sided Gas Fireplace with Logs

Acucraft Fireplaces

This stunning custom four sided glass fireplace with traditional logset boasts the largest flames on the market and safe-to-touch glass with our Patent-Pending dual pane glass cooling system. Fireplace Manufacturer: Acucraft Fireplaces Architect: Eigelberger Contractor: Brikor Associates Interior Furnishing: Chalissima

North London Victorian Home

Balance Design

This Victorian dining room was sympathetically renovated to sit well within its era, yet have a modern and midcentury edge. Contemporary pieces bring it right into the 21st century.

Palo Alto Mid Century

Fiorella Design, LLC

Creative Shot Photography
Midcentury dining room in San Francisco with a two-sided fireplace.

Mason-Grabell Residence

Arielle C. Schechter, AIA

The little cocktail bar was built in next to the fireplace. It has open shelving above to allow light and air through. The custom cabinets are flat front flush walnut veneer. This cabinet has room for glassware, barware and extra supplies as needed for the dining room adjacent to it.

Madison Park Mid-Century

RW Anderson Homes

John Granen
Large midcentury separate dining room in Seattle with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a two-sided fireplace and a stone fireplace surround.

Pacific NW Modern Dwelling

User

In this modern dining room, a medley of greenery sprouts from a hammered charcoal vase at the center of an espresso stained table. The table is illuminated by a modern light fixture, composed of hand-blown clear glass globes. Espresso gives way to chocolate in the tone on tone upholstery of the dining chairs. The orange piping of the chairs gives a nod to the contemporary artwork hanging on a far wall in the sitting area. The sitting area is also furnished with a pair of recliners with walnut stained frames and olive leather. Opposite the recliners is a tufted back sofa upholstered in linen and accented with copper suede pillows. A bronze metal cocktail table rests in front of the sofa while a wood floor lamp with ivory shade stands to the side. A Persian wool rug in shades of amber, green and cream ties the space together. The ivory walls and ceiling are accented by honey stained alder trim, a color that continues via a paneled wall separates the dining room from the kitchen.

Dining Room Renovation & Built-in Dry Bar

VMAX LLC

Photography Anna Zagorodna
Design ideas for a small midcentury separate dining room in Richmond with blue walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a tile fireplace surround and brown floor.

Long Dune Residence, Truro

Hammer Architects

Peter Vanderwarker
Inspiration for a mid-sized midcentury open plan dining in Boston with white walls, light hardwood floors, a two-sided fireplace, a concrete fireplace surround and brown floor.

Mid Century Modern Meets 2020

Fox Interiors

Mid-sized midcentury separate dining room in Minneapolis with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace surround and brown floor.

NE Portland Interior 2

Mr. Painter PDX LLC

Freshly painted living and dining rooms using Sherwin Williams Paint. Color "Ice Cube" SW 6252.
Photo of a small midcentury separate dining room in Portland with blue walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a tile fireplace surround and brown floor.

Mission Terrace Home

DesignFix LLC

This San Francisco home had beautifully restored interior details, including curved window walls, wood wainscoting, and an arched fireplace. We furnished it with a blend of modern and traditional pieces to express the minimal and laid-back feel desired by our clients.

Mid-Century Avenues Resoration

Living Home Construction

Design ideas for a mid-sized midcentury separate dining room in Salt Lake City with beige walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and brown floor.

All Fireplaces Midcentury Dining Room Design Ideas

A midcentury 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 midcentury 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 midcentury 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 midcentury 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!