Photo of a mid-sized midcentury separate dining room in Austin with a two-sided fireplace and a tile fireplace surround.

Brentwood Midcentury Residence

Natalie Myers

Marisa Vitale
Inspiration for a midcentury dining room in Los Angeles with medium hardwood floors, a two-sided fireplace, a tile fireplace surround and brown floor.

Long Beach Midcentury Modern

Soko Design

Mid-sized midcentury kitchen/dining combo in Los Angeles with white walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and a tile fireplace surround.

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.

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.

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.

Skycrest 2

Asher Homes Inc.

This is an example of a large midcentury open plan dining in Other with white walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a tile fireplace surround, brown floor and vaulted.

Open Plan Living/Dining

De Mattei Construction

Photographer: Tyler Chartier
Photo of a mid-sized midcentury kitchen/dining combo in San Francisco with white walls, dark hardwood floors and a tile fireplace surround.

PBH Keith Heights

PBH Design

Mid-sized midcentury open plan dining in Dallas with white walls, dark hardwood floors, a two-sided fireplace and a tile fireplace surround.

Applewood Renovation

Cillessen Construction Company

Attractive mid-century modern home built in 1957. Scope of work for this design/build remodel included reworking the space for an open floor plan, making this home feel modern while keeping some of the homes original charm. We completely reconfigured the entry and stair case, moved walls and installed a free span ridge beam to allow for an open concept. Some of the custom features were 2 sided fireplace surround, new metal railings with a walnut cap, a hand crafted walnut door surround, and last but not least a big beautiful custom kitchen with an enormous island. Exterior work included a new metal roof, siding and new windows.

Cutting Edge Contemporary - Home Remodel

McCutcheon Construction Inc.

The new dining room while open, has an intimate feel and features a unique “ribbon” light fixture. Robert Vente Photography
Design ideas for a mid-sized midcentury open plan dining in San Francisco with white walls, dark hardwood floors, a two-sided fireplace, grey floor and a tile fireplace surround.

Westwood Dr. Interior

John Webb Construction and Design

This 2 story home was originally built in 1952 on a tree covered hillside. Our company transformed this little shack into a luxurious home with a million dollar view by adding high ceilings, wall of glass facing the south providing natural light all year round, and designing an open living concept. The home has a built-in gas fireplace with tile surround, custom IKEA kitchen with quartz countertop, bamboo hardwood flooring, two story cedar deck with cable railing, master suite with walk-through closet, two laundry rooms, 2.5 bathrooms, office space, and mechanical room.

Mandeville

Lewis / Schoeplein architects

Marisa Vitale Photography
Design ideas for a midcentury open plan dining in Los Angeles with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a two-sided fireplace, a tile fireplace surround and brown floor.

Mid Century Interior Renovation

KOSS design+build, pllc

View of great room from dining area. Rick Brazil Photography
This is an example of a midcentury kitchen/dining combo in Phoenix with concrete floors, a tile fireplace surround, grey floor, white walls and a two-sided fireplace.

Trio Lane Abode

KM Design Co.

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

Olympus Cove

DFS Construction Inc.

Design ideas for a mid-sized midcentury dining room in Salt Lake City with white walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a tile fireplace surround and black floor.

3810 Kensington Avenue, Richmond VA 23221

Richmond Hill Design + Build

We’ve carefully crafted every inch of this home to bring you something never before seen in this area! Modern front sidewalk and landscape design leads to the architectural stone and cedar front elevation, featuring a contemporary exterior light package, black commercial 9’ window package and 8 foot Art Deco, mahogany door. Additional features found throughout include a two-story foyer that showcases the horizontal metal railings of the oak staircase, powder room with a floating sink and wall-mounted gold faucet and great room with a 10’ ceiling, modern, linear fireplace and 18’ floating hearth, kitchen with extra-thick, double quartz island, full-overlay cabinets with 4 upper horizontal glass-front cabinets, premium Electrolux appliances with convection microwave and 6-burner gas range, a beverage center with floating upper shelves and wine fridge, first-floor owner’s suite with washer/dryer hookup, en-suite with glass, luxury shower, rain can and body sprays, LED back lit mirrors, transom windows, 16’ x 18’ loft, 2nd floor laundry, tankless water heater and uber-modern chandeliers and decorative lighting. Rear yard is fenced and has a storage shed.

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.

Mid Century Modern

Re:Placement Design

Design ideas for a large midcentury dining room in Other with white walls, light hardwood floors, a ribbon fireplace, a tile fireplace surround and brown floor.

Marvelous Mid Century

THE Remodel Group

This is an example of a mid-sized midcentury separate dining room in Portland with green walls, medium hardwood floors, a two-sided fireplace, a tile fireplace surround and brown floor.

Midcentury Dining Room Design Ideas with a Tile 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!