Inspiration for a small midcentury separate dining room in Chicago with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and a stone fireplace surround.

NE Portland Mid-Century Modern

Fazzolari Custom Homes & Renovations

Shawn St. Peter
Photo of a large midcentury open plan dining in Portland with beige walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and a stone fireplace surround.

Mad Men

MARINA FARROW

Inspiration for a midcentury dining room in Toronto with white walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and a stone fireplace surround.

Versaille marble fireplace

English Fireplaces

A Versaille white marble fire place (with matching hearth and inner hearth). A nice twist with the steel slips this time to match the neon basket and drawer, keeping it classic with a contemporary slant. Finished off with restored original brickwork, the three styles combined work extremely well together. Photo by William Goddard Photography

Mid Century Updates

Emily Anne Interior Design

Round objects set this space apart. The round, social dining table is resting on black metal spindles and the gray heathered chairs add a softness to the space. The modern classic chandelier adds a touch of brass.

Puget Sound Kitchen

Lucy Johnson Interior Design

Modern Dining room near kitchen. Opened ceiling and recovered existing fireplace with stone tiles.
Inspiration for a mid-sized midcentury kitchen/dining combo in Other with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a two-sided fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and brown floor.

Livingston NJ Residence

YZDA | Yoshida + Zanon Design Atrium

Peter Kubilus Architectural Photography
Photo of a large midcentury open plan dining in New York with white walls, dark hardwood floors, a two-sided fireplace and a stone fireplace surround.

private residence

HF:architecture

This is an example of a midcentury dining room in Detroit with a two-sided fireplace and a stone fireplace surround.

Contemporary Mid-century Bachelor Pad

Chosen Interiors

Design ideas for a mid-sized midcentury kitchen/dining combo in Atlanta with brown walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and brown floor.

Bainbridge

NGD Interiors, Inc.

A family breakfast nook receives a powerful punch of color & style.
Inspiration for a small midcentury kitchen/dining combo in Philadelphia with dark hardwood floors, a two-sided fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and green walls.

Fire Island Pines Beach House

Rodman Paul Architects, pllc

Inspiration for a mid-sized midcentury kitchen/dining combo in New York with white walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and brown floor.

Mid-Century Modern Condo in Historic Capitol Hill

Finesse Design Remodeling

A two-bed, two-bath condo located in the Historic Capitol Hill neighborhood of Washington, DC was reimagined with the clean lined sensibilities and celebration of beautiful materials found in Mid-Century Modern designs. A soothing gray-green color palette sets the backdrop for cherry cabinetry and white oak floors. Specialty lighting, handmade tile, and a slate clad corner fireplace further elevate the space. A new Trex deck with cable railing system connects the home to the outdoors.

Norfolk

Stephen Ryan Design and Decoration

Design ideas for a mid-sized midcentury separate dining room in London with brown walls, carpet, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and grey floor.

Rénovation globale d'un appartement de 56m²

Mb. studio

Mid-sized midcentury dining room in Reims with white walls, linoleum floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and brown floor.

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

South End Townhouse

Elms Interior Design

Photography by Michael J. Lee
Photo of a mid-sized midcentury kitchen/dining combo in Boston with grey walls, medium hardwood floors and a stone fireplace surround.

おおみやスタジオ

オーガニックスタジオ株式会社

パッシブデザイン十年たって木々はずいぶん大きくなりました。ヤマザクラのフローリングも深い色になりました。
Photo of a midcentury open plan dining in Other with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a wood stove, a stone fireplace surround and brown floor.

Atlanta Peachtree Park Renovation

T.A. Mathieu Construction

Photo of a small midcentury separate dining room in Atlanta with grey walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and brown floor.

Magnolia Journal A frame

AHG Interiors

Design ideas for a small midcentury dining room in New York with white walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, beige floor and exposed beam.

3rd Avenue Craftsman

REYNOLDS ASH + ASSOCIATES

Photography by Heather Mace of RA+A Architecture + Structural Engineering by Reynolds Ash + Associates.
Design ideas for a large midcentury open plan dining in Albuquerque with yellow walls, light hardwood floors, a two-sided fireplace and a stone fireplace surround.

Midcentury Dining Room Design Ideas with a Stone 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!