This is an example of a midcentury dining room in Houston with black walls and medium hardwood floors.

Midcentury Dining Room

Midcentury open plan dining in New York with medium hardwood floors.

Dining Renovation

Jordan Design-Build Group

The kitchen was at the top of the list for a total overhaul – the worn oak cabinets, dated appliances, and clunky layout all had to go. Removing the decorative soffits allowed us to take the new cabinetry all the way to the ceiling, adding functional storage and visually extending the room’s height. We reconfigured the layout from a modified U to an L-shape which accomplished several things – it opened up the kitchen to the dining room, redirected circulation, and most importantly, created space for an island. A brand new pantry was created for overflow food storage, bulk items, occasional dishware and small appliances, ensuring that our client’s goal of uncluttered countertops was achievable. The finish selections and clean lines give a nod to the home’s mid-century bones. The wood island provides warmth and the light quartz countertops, textured backsplash and white cabinets keep the kitchen feeling light and bright. We opted to install open shelving above the sink which provides display space and needed storage without the bulkiness of an overhead cabinet. The matte black faucet, hardware and decorative pendants add another level of visual interest to the modern kitchen. To unify the kitchen and dining room, we replaced the drab kitchen flooring with select red oak hardwoods that were expertly installed and refinished to match the gorgeous wood flooring throughout the home.

Hartford Remodel

JGB Custom Homes

Ryann Ford
This is an example of a midcentury dining room in Austin with white walls and medium hardwood floors.

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.

Normandy House

Kasha Paris

Mid-sized midcentury open plan dining in Paris with white walls, medium hardwood floors and a standard fireplace.

Mid Century Glam

Fusion Cabinets, Inc.

Totally obsessed with the booth. It has plenty of display space as well a place for art. The custom lighting is in 6 zones and is lovely at night. Best seat in the house!

Seventies house

D&K Interiors - Interieur Sud

wearebuff.com, Frederic Baillod
Midcentury dining room in Nice with white walls, medium hardwood floors and brown floor.

Wazo Unboxed

User

This is an example of a mid-sized midcentury separate dining room in Montreal with beige walls, medium hardwood floors, no fireplace and brown floor.

Los Feliz Residence

Dutton Architects Inc.

A modern mid-century house in the Los Feliz neighborhood of the Hollywood Hills, this was an extensive renovation. The house was brought down to its studs, new foundations poured, and many walls and rooms relocated and resized. The aim was to improve the flow through the house, to make if feel more open and light, and connected to the outside, both literally through a new stair leading to exterior sliding doors, and through new windows along the back that open up to canyon views. photos by Undine Prohl

Eichler Home in Fairmeadows, Southern California

Better Living SoCal

Brazilian Teak hardwood floors, Mahogany walls, and original light fixtures all make this Eichler Dining Room a perfect place for entertaining. Bright-colored Eames chairs at the kitchen dining extension offer added seating if needed.

West Hills Mid-Century

SBaird Design

Design ideas for a midcentury dining room in Portland with white walls, medium hardwood floors and brown floor.

Mid-century Modern Kitchen

Soko Design

Inspiration for a midcentury kitchen/dining combo in Los Angeles with white walls, medium hardwood floors and brown floor.

New Home Construction - Milwaukee

Alair Homes Milwaukee

Photo of a large midcentury dining room in Milwaukee with medium hardwood floors, a two-sided fireplace and a stone fireplace surround.

Kirkland - Kitchen and Living Remodel

Gallagher Construction

Inspiration for a midcentury separate dining room in Seattle with medium hardwood floors.

Mid-Century Modern Home

Miranda Frigon Designs

Mid-sized midcentury kitchen/dining combo in Los Angeles with white walls, medium hardwood floors, brown floor and panelled walls.

Midcentury Dining Room

Design ideas for a midcentury dining room in Orange County with medium hardwood floors.

Ground floor renovation in West Dulwich

dillon&beth

This dining room was given a face lift with modern panelling throughout, a new paint colour including the ceiling and new lighting scheme.
Inspiration for a small midcentury open plan dining in London with beige walls, medium hardwood floors, brown floor and panelled walls.

Woodstock Lodge

Elizabeth Strianese Interiors LLC

This beautiful Alpine home has an open floor plan, and huge windows looking out onto the landscaped property. We hung 2 Chandeliers above the dining table to take advantage of the volume in the space. The Eskayel wallpaper on the back wall gave texture and pattern without overpowering the room. Photography by Meredith Heuer

Napa Mid-Century Modern

Paul Kelley Architecture

Mid-sized midcentury separate dining room in San Francisco with beige walls, medium hardwood floors, no fireplace and brown floor.

Midcentury Dining Room Design Ideas with Medium Hardwood Floors

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!