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

Mid-Century Modern, Whole House Renovation in Spring Mill Indianapolis

WrightWorks, LLC

The dining table was custom made from solid walnut, with live edges. The original brick veneer fireplace was kept, as well as the floating steel framed hearth. Photo by Christopher Wright, CR

Martha's Vineyard Home

Glenn Gissler Design

A custom chandelier hangs over a solid wood dining table with simple clean-lined wood chairs that tie in with the mahogany wood frames throughout. Gross & Daley

Mid Century Modern Home

Candace Nordquist Interiors

This mid century modern home has sleek lines and a functional form. This was a large remodel that involved vaulting the ceiling to create an open concept great room.

Pacific NW Modern Dwelling

User

A modern glass fireplace an Ortal Space Creator 120 organically separates this sunken den and dining room. Wide flagstone steps capped with oak slabs lead the way to the dining room. The base of the espresso stained dining table is accented with zebra wood and rests on an ombre rug in shades of soft green and orange. Hanging above the table is a striking modern light fixture with glass globes. The ivory walls and ceiling are punctuated with warm, honey stained alder trim. Orange piping against a tone on tone chocolate fabric covers the dining chairs paying homage to the warm tones of the stained oak floor.

Réno & Déco d'un appartement grenoblois

Lifestyle Decoration

Sandrine Rivière
Inspiration for a large midcentury open plan dining in Grenoble with blue walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and brown floor.

In The Wilderness

Pixers

The Nature Hues collection is an answer to the trend that celebrates the contemplation of nature, pastel hues and the beauty of the microcosmos invisible to the naked eye. Collection shows an extraordinary palette of tangible matter and a multitude of nuances that nature spontaneously produces.

Wenham Ranch-House Renovation/Addition

Katie Hutchison Studio

Constructed in two phases, this renovation, with a few small additions, touched nearly every room in this late ‘50’s ranch house. The owners raised their family within the original walls and love the house’s location, which is not far from town and also borders conservation land. But they didn’t love how chopped up the house was and the lack of exposure to natural daylight and views of the lush rear woods. Plus, they were ready to de-clutter for a more stream-lined look. As a result, KHS collaborated with them to create a quiet, clean design to support the lifestyle they aspire to in retirement. To transform the original ranch house, KHS proposed several significant changes that would make way for a number of related improvements. Proposed changes included the removal of the attached enclosed breezeway (which had included a stair to the basement living space) and the two-car garage it partially wrapped, which had blocked vital eastern daylight from accessing the interior. Together the breezeway and garage had also contributed to a long, flush front façade. In its stead, KHS proposed a new two-car carport, attached storage shed, and exterior basement stair in a new location. The carport is bumped closer to the street to relieve the flush front facade and to allow access behind it to eastern daylight in a relocated rear kitchen. KHS also proposed a new, single, more prominent front entry, closer to the driveway to replace the former secondary entrance into the dark breezeway and a more formal main entrance that had been located much farther down the facade and curiously bordered the bedroom wing. Inside, low ceilings and soffits in the primary family common areas were removed to create a cathedral ceiling (with rod ties) over a reconfigured semi-open living, dining, and kitchen space. A new gas fireplace serving the relocated dining area -- defined by a new built-in banquette in a new bay window -- was designed to back up on the existing wood-burning fireplace that continues to serve the living area. A shared full bath, serving two guest bedrooms on the main level, was reconfigured, and additional square footage was captured for a reconfigured master bathroom off the existing master bedroom. A new whole-house color palette, including new finishes and new cabinetry, complete the transformation. Today, the owners enjoy a fresh and airy re-imagining of their familiar ranch house. Photos by Katie Hutchison

Frank Llyod Wright - Lake Forest IL

Brett Bulthuis Photography

©Brett Bulthuis 2018
Photo of a small midcentury kitchen/dining combo in Chicago with concrete floors, a corner fireplace and a brick fireplace surround.

Open Plan Kitchen Diner

HCC Interiors

The aim for this West facing kitchen was to have a warm welcoming feel, combined with a fresh, easy to maintain and clean aesthetic. This level is relatively dark in the mornings and the multitude of small rooms didn't work for it. Collaborating with the conservation officers, we created an open plan layout, which still hinted at the former separation of spaces through the use of ceiling level change and cornicing. We used a mix of vintage and antique items and designed a kitchen with a mid-century feel but cutting-edge components to create a comfortable and practical space. Extremely comfortable vintage dining chairs were sourced for a song and recovered in a sturdy peachy pink mohair velvet The bar stools were sourced all the way from the USA via a European dealer, and also provide very comfortable seating for those perching at the imposing kitchen island. Mirror splashbacks line the joinery back wall to reflect the light coming from the window and doors and bring more green inside the room. Photo by Matthias Peters

Color Gallery

LJS Design Inc

Design ideas for a mid-sized midcentury kitchen/dining combo in San Diego with grey walls, limestone floors, a standard fireplace, a metal fireplace surround and grey floor.

Mid Century House Remodal Fire Island

DAS Studio

Inspiration for a mid-sized midcentury open plan dining in New York with brown walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and brown floor.

Sarasota Custom Home- Frank Lloyd Wright Mid-Century Home

Nautilus Homes

This is a home that was designed around the property. With views in every direction from the master suite and almost everywhere else in the home. The home was designed by local architect Randy Sample and the interior architecture was designed by Maurice Jennings Architecture, a disciple of E. Fay Jones. New Construction of a 4,400 sf custom home in the Southbay Neighborhood of Osprey, FL, just south of Sarasota. Photo - Ricky Perrone

Montecito Mid-Century Craftsman

Giffin & Crane General Contractors, Inc.

Jim Bartsch
Photo of a midcentury dining room in Santa Barbara with white walls, light hardwood floors and a ribbon fireplace.

East Vancouver Fireplace & Living Room

Construct by Nuthatch

Custom dining room fireplace surround featuring authentic Moroccan zellige tiles. The fireplace is accented by a custom bench seat for the dining room. The surround expands to the wall to create a step which creates the new location for a home bar.

Mid-Century Avenues Resoration

Living Home Construction

Photo of 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.

Mid Century Modern Rancho Mirage

Horizon Builders, Inc.

Open dining room with mid century white wavy porcelain tile fireplace surround. Structural beams finished in a natural finish. LED recessed can lighting.

Retro modern open-plan kitchen & dining

Melinamade - Residential Design + Interiors

This was a whole house major remodel to open up the foyer, dining, kitchen, and living room areas to accept a new curved staircase, custom built-in bookcases, and two sided view-thru fireplace in this shot. Most notably, the custom glass mosaic fireplace was designed and inspired by LAX int'l arrival terminal tiled mosaic terminal walls designed by artist Charles D. Kratka in the late 50's for the 1961 installation.

Twickenham Apartment

Dabrovska Design

Photo of a large midcentury open plan dining in London with beige walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and beige 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.

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!