Terrell Hills Mid Century Modern Project

The clients' reproduction Frank Lloyd Wright Floor Lamp and MCM furnishings complete this seating area in the dining room nook. This area used to be an exterior porch, but was enclosed to make the current dining room larger. In the dining room, we added a walnut bar with an antique gold toekick and antique gold hardware, along with an enclosed tall walnut cabinet for storage. The tall dining room cabinet also conceals a vertical steel structural beam, while providing valuable storage space. The walnut bar and dining cabinets breathe new life into the space and echo the tones of the wood walls and cabinets in the adjoining kitchen and living room. Finally, our design team finished the space with MCM furniture, art and accessories.

Mid-Century Retreat

DeForest Architects

Inspiration for a midcentury dining room in Seattle with medium hardwood floors, brown floor and exposed beam.

San Carlos Treetop

Cathie Hong Interiors

What started as a kitchen and two-bathroom remodel evolved into a full home renovation plus conversion of the downstairs unfinished basement into a permitted first story addition, complete with family room, guest suite, mudroom, and a new front entrance. We married the midcentury modern architecture with vintage, eclectic details and thoughtful materials.

MAURICETTE

[ Aspaï ] architectes

Inspiration for a midcentury dining room in Bordeaux with beige walls, medium hardwood floors, brown floor and exposed beam.

Post + Beam Reimagined

Melinda Mandell Interior Design

Originally, the dining layout was too small for our clients needs. We reconfigured the space to allow for a larger dining table to entertain guests. Adding the layered lighting installation helped to define the longer space and bring organic flow and loose curves above the angular custom dining table. The door to the pantry is disguised by the wood paneling on the wall.

Memory Lane

Soledad Builders, LLC

Photo of a mid-sized midcentury open plan dining in Austin with beige walls, light hardwood floors and exposed beam.

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

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

La Pedrera Net Zero Residence

Bellingham Bay Builders

Architect: Domain Design Architects Photography: Joe Belcovson Photography
Design ideas for a mid-sized midcentury dining room in Seattle with white walls, medium hardwood floors, brown floor, exposed beam and vaulted.

Woodland Hills Residence

Mahle Design LLC

Dining Room
Photo of a mid-sized midcentury kitchen/dining combo in Los Angeles with white walls, light hardwood floors, a two-sided fireplace, a brick fireplace surround, beige floor and exposed beam.

Palm Springs

Skipp Renovations - Designer Kitchens Made Simple

This is an example of a small midcentury dining room in Other with concrete floors, grey floor, exposed beam and panelled walls.

LED Lighting Enhances Architecture at Night

Michael Norpell's Wall To Wall

Space is defined in the great room through the use of a colorful area rug, defining the living seating area from the contemporary dining room. Gray cork flooring, and the clean lines and simple bold colors of the furniture allow the architecture of the space to soar. A modern take on the sputnik light fixture picks up the angles of the double-gabled post-and-beam roof lines, creating a dramatic, yet cozy space.

Serene Midcentury Modern

Whimsily

Dining with custom pendant lighting.
Design ideas for a large midcentury kitchen/dining combo in Indianapolis with white walls, medium hardwood floors, exposed beam, timber, vaulted and brown floor.

Mid-Century Modern Makeover

DNM Architecture

Mid-sized midcentury kitchen/dining combo in San Francisco with white walls, light hardwood floors, grey floor and exposed beam.

San Rafael Mid Century Modern

User

Design ideas for a midcentury dining room in San Francisco with white walls, grey floor, exposed beam and wood.

Trade Winds

Josh Crosbie Architects Pty Ltd

This is an example of a midcentury open plan dining in Geelong with carpet, grey floor and exposed beam.

Oh What A Ceiling!

Green Sheep Collective

‘Oh What A Ceiling!’ ingeniously transformed a tired mid-century brick veneer house into a suburban oasis for a multigenerational family. Our clients, Gabby and Peter, came to us with a desire to reimagine their ageing home such that it could better cater to their modern lifestyles, accommodate those of their adult children and grandchildren, and provide a more intimate and meaningful connection with their garden. The renovation would reinvigorate their home and allow them to re-engage with their passions for cooking and sewing, and explore their skills in the garden and workshop.

Deane Gardens Project

Kennedy Cole Interior Design

A beautiful dining and kitchen open to the yard and pool in this midcentury modern gem by Kennedy Cole Interior Design.
This is an example of a mid-sized midcentury kitchen/dining combo in Orange County with white walls, concrete floors, a corner fireplace, a brick fireplace surround, grey floor and exposed beam.

Forever Ranch

Kipnis Architecture + Planning

The dining room and foyer, looking out towards the front. The vaulted ceiling has beams that project out to the exterior.
This is an example of a mid-sized midcentury open plan dining in Chicago with white walls, medium hardwood floors, brown floor and exposed beam.

Glen Road

risa boyer architecture

Midcentury kitchen/dining combo in Portland with light hardwood floors and exposed beam.

Midcentury Dining Room Design Ideas with Exposed Beam

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!