At our San Salvador project, we did a complete kitchen remodel, redesigned the fireplace in the living room and installed all new porcelain wood-looking tile throughout. Before the kitchen was outdated, very dark and closed in with a soffit lid and old wood cabinetry. The fireplace wall was original to the home and needed to be redesigned to match the new modern style. We continued the porcelain tile from an earlier phase to go into the newly remodeled areas. We completely removed the lid above the kitchen, creating a much more open and inviting space. Then we opened up the pantry wall that previously closed in the kitchen, allowing a new view and creating a modern bar area. The young family wanted to brighten up the space with modern selections, finishes and accessories. Our clients selected white textured laminate cabinetry for the kitchen with marble-looking quartz countertops and waterfall edges for the island with mid-century modern barstools. For the backsplash, our clients decided to do something more personalized by adding white marble porcelain tile, installed in a herringbone pattern. In the living room, for the new fireplace design we moved the TV above the firebox for better viewing and brought it all the way up to the ceiling. We added a neutral stone-looking porcelain tile and floating shelves on each side to complete the modern style of the home. Our clients did a great job furnishing and decorating their house, it almost felt like it was staged which we always appreciate and love.

Birch Knoll Restoration

k YODER design, LLC

In the dining room, kYd designed all new walnut millwork and custom cabinetry to match the original buffet. Sky-Frame sliding doors/windows via Dover Windows and Doors; Element by Tech Lighting recessed lighting; Lea Ceramiche Waterfall porcelain stoneware tiles; leathered ash black granite slab buffet counter

RAPSON REVISITED

Kate Roos Design LLC

View of the dining room.
Design ideas for a midcentury dining room in Minneapolis with white walls, porcelain floors, a two-sided fireplace, a brick fireplace surround and grey floor.

San Carlos Mid-Century Modern Remodel

Klopf Architecture

Mariko Reed
Design ideas for a mid-sized midcentury open plan dining in San Francisco with black walls, porcelain floors and beige 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.

Midcentury Dining Room

Design ideas for a large midcentury kitchen/dining combo in San Francisco with white walls, porcelain floors, grey floor and wood.

Mid Century Modern Boho

Kimberley Kay Interiors

Added lighting, new furniture, wishbone chairs and simple styling will go a long way. Rug adds color with the bright white walls and ceiling.
This is an example of a mid-sized midcentury open plan dining in Phoenix with white walls, porcelain floors, no fireplace and beige floor.

Wales House

Flavin Architects

Flavin Architects was chosen for the renovation due to their expertise with Mid-Century-Modern and specifically Henry Hoover renovations. Respect for the integrity of the original home while accommodating a modern family’s needs is key. Practical updates like roof insulation, new roofing, and radiant floor heat were combined with sleek finishes and modern conveniences. Photo by: Nat Rea Photography

Bedford Place

Prideaux Design

Matt Vacca
Inspiration for a mid-sized midcentury open plan dining in Other with porcelain floors and grey floor.

Los Gatos Treehouse

Cathie Hong Interiors

This 1960s home was in original condition and badly in need of some functional and cosmetic updates. We opened up the great room into an open concept space, converted the half bathroom downstairs into a full bath, and updated finishes all throughout with finishes that felt period-appropriate and reflective of the owner's Asian heritage.

Mid-Century Modern Home

Paul Rau Interiors

Mid-century Modern Dining Room/Great Room with contemporary chandelier and painting by Dirk DeBruyker.
Photo of an expansive midcentury open plan dining in Albuquerque with white walls, porcelain floors and no fireplace.

Stunning Mid-Century Remodel

Brad Cox, Architect, Inc.

The epitome of indoor-outdoor living, not just one but *two* walls of this home consist primarily of accordion doors which fully open the public areas of the house to the back yard. A flush transition ensures steady footing while walking in and out of the house.

Palm Springs Open Dining Room

California Lustre

Open dining room in Palm Springs condo featuring a Jonathan Adler Maurice Chandelier and Knoll Tavolo XZ3 table. All vintage art, accents and books by California Lustre. photo credit: Tim Tracy

Mid-Century Modern Sacramento Home

Benning Design Construction

Photo of a midcentury kitchen/dining combo in Sacramento with grey walls, porcelain floors, a corner fireplace, a tile fireplace surround and grey floor.

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

Midcentury Modern Home Addition

Normandy Remodeling

This dining room has a dramatic design, with black brick and a vaulted, wood plank ceiling.
This is an example of a mid-sized midcentury dining room in Chicago with black walls, porcelain floors and no fireplace.

Desert Eichler #2

Shields Residential Inc.

Inspiration for a mid-sized midcentury open plan dining in Los Angeles with porcelain floors and no fireplace.

Cambridge Victorian

Elms Interior Design

Photography by Michael J. Lee
Large midcentury kitchen/dining combo in Boston with white walls and porcelain floors.

Berkeley Hills House #2

Yama Architecture

Bruce Damonte
Photo of a midcentury dining room in San Francisco with porcelain floors.

eichler in marinwood

building Lab, inc.

Midcentury Dining Room Design Ideas with Porcelain 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!