Custom dining room fireplace surround featuring authentic Moroccan zellige tiles. The fireplace is accented by a custom bench seat for the dining room. The surround expands to the wall to create a step which creates the new location for a home bar.

Mid-Century Modern Home

Bower Leet Design

Photo of a small midcentury dining room in St Louis with brown walls, medium hardwood floors, brown floor, exposed beam and wood walls.

East Vancouver Fireplace & Living Room

Construct by Nuthatch

Dinning

Studio QL

Photo of a midcentury dining room in Austin with white walls, medium hardwood floors, brown floor and wood walls.

Ремонт старинного деревянного дома на Валдае

Ирина Шикина

Inspiration for a midcentury dining room in Other with multi-coloured walls, painted wood floors, grey floor and wood walls.

West Vancouver Mid-Century Home

PlaidFox Studio

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

Jonah and Lila

AHG Interiors

Inspiration for a large midcentury separate dining room in New York with brown walls, medium hardwood floors, brown floor and wood walls.

Hi-Hat House

Kimball Modern Design + Interiors

This is an example of a midcentury open plan dining in Denver with white walls, light hardwood floors, a ribbon fireplace, a brick fireplace surround, wood and wood walls.

Mobiliario a medida / Lisboa

Liff.space - by Filipa Marques

Design ideas for a midcentury kitchen/dining combo with white walls, medium hardwood floors, brown floor and wood walls.

Pacific NW Modern Dwelling

User

In this modern dining room, a medley of greenery sprouts from a hammered charcoal vase at the center of an espresso stained table. The table is illuminated by a modern light fixture, composed of hand-blown clear glass globes. Espresso gives way to chocolate in the tone on tone upholstery of the dining chairs. The orange piping of the chairs gives a nod to the contemporary artwork hanging on a far wall in the sitting area. The sitting area is also furnished with a pair of recliners with walnut stained frames and olive leather. Opposite the recliners is a tufted back sofa upholstered in linen and accented with copper suede pillows. A bronze metal cocktail table rests in front of the sofa while a wood floor lamp with ivory shade stands to the side. A Persian wool rug in shades of amber, green and cream ties the space together. The ivory walls and ceiling are accented by honey stained alder trim, a color that continues via a paneled wall separates the dining room from the kitchen.

Dinning

Studio QL

This is an example of a midcentury dining room in Austin with white walls, medium hardwood floors, brown floor and wood walls.

Pacific NW Modern Dwelling

User

A modern glass fireplace an Ortal Space Creator 120 organically separates this sunken den and dining room. Wide flagstone steps capped with oak slabs lead the way to the dining room. The base of the espresso stained dining table is accented with zebra wood and rests on an ombre rug in shades of soft green and orange. Hanging above the table is a striking modern light fixture with glass globes. The ivory walls and ceiling are punctuated with warm, honey stained alder trim. Orange piping against a tone on tone chocolate fabric covers the dining chairs paying homage to the warm tones of the stained oak floor.

Mid-Century Modern Vancouver Special

PlaidFox Studio

This terracotta feature wall is one of our favourite areas in the home. To create interest in this special area between the kitchen and open living area, we installed wood pieces on the wall and painted them this gorgeous terracotta colour. The furniture is an eclectic mix of retro and nostalgic pieces which are playful, yet sophisticated for the young family who likes to entertain.

Little River Cabin in Eldred

Kelsey Ann Rose

Little River Cabin Airbnb
Design ideas for a mid-sized midcentury dining room in New York with beige walls, plywood floors, beige floor, exposed beam and wood walls.

Pacific NW Modern Dwelling

User

Ebony and ivory live together in perfect harmony in this modern dining room, both in the ivory keys of the black baby grand piano and in the delicious contrast of the dining chairs and ivory walls and ceiling. The chairs are upholstered in a tone on tone light chocolate fabric with orange contrast piping. Orange appears again paired with soft green in the ombre wool rug covering the stained oak floors. The room’s alder trim is stained to match the honey tone of the wood paneled wall. The color palette is carried forth with a contemporary piece of artwork in the hallway and in a trio of plates hanging just inside the front door. A modern light fixture, composed of hand-blown clear glass globes, illuminates the espresso stained dining table.

West Vancouver Mid-Century Home

PlaidFox Studio

This is an example of a midcentury dining room in Vancouver with brown walls, medium hardwood floors, brown floor and wood walls.

上星川のリノベーション

一級建築士事務所秋山立花

This is an example of a mid-sized midcentury open plan dining in Yokohama with beige walls, light hardwood floors, no fireplace, beige floor, wood and wood walls.

West Vancouver Mid-Century Home

PlaidFox Studio

Inspiration for a midcentury dining room in Vancouver with brown walls, medium hardwood floors, brown floor and wood walls.

West Vancouver Mid-Century Home

PlaidFox Studio

Inspiration for a midcentury dining room in Vancouver with brown walls, medium hardwood floors, brown floor and wood walls.

上星川のリノベーション

一級建築士事務所秋山立花

Design ideas for a mid-sized midcentury open plan dining in Yokohama with beige walls, light hardwood floors, no fireplace, beige floor, wood and wood walls.

Midcentury Dining Room Design Ideas with Wood Walls

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!