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.

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.

Sophisticated Mid-Century Home : Barnes

Cassidy Hughes Interior Design

Gregory Davies
Inspiration for a midcentury separate dining room in London with blue walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and a plaster fireplace surround.

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.

Modern Addition in Libertyville

DeBaker Design Group, Ltd.

Tall ceilings, walls of glass open onto the 5 acre property. This Breakfast Room and Wet Bar transition the new and existing homes, made up of a series of cubes.

Mid Century refresh

Jennifer Ryan Design

Design ideas for a mid-sized midcentury dining room in Seattle with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a ribbon fireplace, a plaster fireplace surround, brown floor and vaulted.

Bellevue Mid-Modern

Lane Williams Architects

The hallway in the background leads to main floor bedrooms, baths, and laundry room. Photo by Lara Swimmer
Design ideas for a large midcentury open plan dining in Seattle with white walls, concrete floors, a ribbon fireplace and a plaster fireplace surround.

Styling Ideas

Sandra Mijan, Dress Your Space

Yellow fireplace
This is an example of a midcentury dining room in Las Vegas with yellow walls, a standard fireplace and a plaster fireplace surround.

Mitchell House- Renovation / Addition

Lanefab Design/Build

Andrew Latreille
Large midcentury open plan dining in Vancouver with white walls, concrete floors, a standard fireplace, a plaster fireplace surround and grey floor.

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

Clyde Hill Midcentury

Garret Cord Werner Architects & Interior Designers

This remodel of a midcentury home by Garret Cord Werner Architects & Interior Designers is an embrace of nostalgic ‘50s architecture and incorporation of elegant interiors. Adding a touch of Art Deco French inspiration, the result is an eclectic vintage blend that provides an elevated yet light-hearted impression. Photography by Andrew Giammarco.

COURALLIE RD RESIDENCE

Studio Trio

Inspiration for a midcentury open plan dining in Sydney with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and a plaster fireplace surround.

Sophisticated Mid-Century Home : Barnes

Cassidy Hughes Interior Design

Gregory Davies
Midcentury separate dining room in London with blue walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and a plaster fireplace surround.

Aa House

Surfside Projects LLC

Darren Bradley
Midcentury dining room in San Diego with white walls, light hardwood floors and a plaster fireplace surround.

Outer Sunset

Carl and The Wolf

Design ideas for a mid-sized midcentury open plan dining in Tampa with white walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and a plaster fireplace surround.

Pacific NW Modern Dwelling

User

A modern light fixture with clear glass globes casts a warm glow in this dining room.
Photo of a large midcentury kitchen/dining combo in Other with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a two-sided fireplace, a plaster fireplace surround, brown floor and wood walls.

Eichler-Inspired Midcentury Modern

Owen Homes LLC

Photo of a mid-sized midcentury open plan dining in Kansas City with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a two-sided fireplace, a plaster fireplace surround and brown floor.

The Mariposa Project

Eason Interior Design Studio

A dreamy space inspired by creamy natural tones and texture. We restored this home built in 1949 and brought back its mojo.
This is an example of a mid-sized midcentury dining room in San Luis Obispo with beige walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a plaster fireplace surround and white floor.

Mason-Grabell Residence

Arielle C. Schechter, AIA

Although the kitchen, dining, living and music rooms are all connected, we designed them to be distinct spaces that each have their own identity. This view from the kitchen looks across the dining room to the double sided fireplace and the little cocktail bar directly to the right.

Albion, Point Loma

Nina Williams Designs

Interiors by Nina Williams Designs, Photography by Chelsea Mar Harding
Photo of a mid-sized midcentury kitchen/dining combo in San Diego with white walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and a plaster fireplace surround.

Midcentury Dining Room Design Ideas with a Plaster Fireplace Surround

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!