Deep blue walls are a stunning backdrop for the dining room’s crisp white furniture and modern artwork.
Design ideas for a large modern open plan dining in Miami with blue walls, light hardwood floors and brown floor.

Casa Stresa

zero6studio

Design ideas for a mid-sized modern open plan dining in Rome with white walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, brown floor and wallpaper.

Manzanita Residence

Pedini NW

This is an example of an expansive modern open plan dining in Portland with light hardwood floors and brown floor.

Haverford Home Renovation

Swiatocha Architecture + Design

wet bar, custom cabinetry
Design ideas for a large modern open plan dining in Philadelphia with white walls, medium hardwood floors and brown floor.

North Dallas Luxe Modern

Urbanology Designs

Modern Luxe Home in North Dallas with Parisian Elements. Luxury Modern Design. Heavily black and white with earthy touches. White walls, black cabinets, open shelving, resort-like master bedroom, modern yet feminine office. Light and bright. Fiddle leaf fig. Olive tree. Performance Fabric.

Venezia

Asco Lights Ltd

Unique wide chandelier, inspired by Venice, enhanced with crystals and pearls.
Photo of a large modern dining room in Cheshire with dark hardwood floors and brown floor.

Contemporary Full Home Renovation

EK Construction Company

Photos courtesy of Paul Madden Photography
Inspiration for a mid-sized modern open plan dining in Toronto with laminate floors, brown floor, beige walls and no fireplace.

Chelsea Hill House

Kariouk Associates

Photolux Studios (Christian Lalonde)
Design ideas for a modern open plan dining in Montreal with white walls, dark hardwood floors and brown floor.

Grange House

Shane Marsh Architects

Inspiration for a mid-sized modern open plan dining in Brisbane with white walls, light hardwood floors, brown floor, timber and brick walls.

119 West Shore

3rd Street Custom Homes

Design ideas for a large modern kitchen/dining combo in Dallas with white walls, light hardwood floors, no fireplace and brown floor.

Kelton Avenue Residence

Ogawa Fisher Architects

The vaulted ceiling and skylights draw in natural light and connect the ground-floor spaces to the sky beyond.
Design ideas for a large modern open plan dining in San Francisco with white walls, medium hardwood floors and brown floor.

Venice Art House

SoCal Contractor

Design ideas for a large modern kitchen/dining combo in Los Angeles with white walls, medium hardwood floors and brown floor.

TriBeCa Penthouse

Lucy Harris Studio

Notable decor elements include: Cappellini Bugatti pendant lights, Kartell Spoon bar stools, Cassina Naan table, Fritz Hansen Series 7 chairs, Robert Lewis Star Chandelier Photography by: Francesco Bertocci http://www.francescobertocci.com/photography/

McClendon

StudioMET Architects

Design ideas for a mid-sized modern kitchen/dining combo in Houston with white walls, light hardwood floors and brown floor.

The Bedford House

Lori Dennis, Inc.

Modern Dining Room in an open floor plan, sits between the Living Room, Kitchen and Backyard Patio. The modern electric fireplace wall is finished in distressed grey plaster. Modern Dining Room Furniture in Black and white is paired with a sculptural glass chandelier. Floor to ceiling windows and modern sliding glass doors expand the living space to the outdoors.

Modern Open Plan Living, Dining, Kitchen

Resolution: 4 Architecture

Cedar Ceilings Provide a Warm Balance to the Bright, White Interiors
Photo of a mid-sized modern open plan dining in New York with white walls, medium hardwood floors and brown floor.

Suburban Contemporary Design

Edgewater Design Group

As written in Northern Home & Cottage by Elizabeth Edwards Sara and Paul Matthews call their head-turning home, located in a sweet neighborhood just up the hill from downtown Petoskey, “a very human story.” Indeed it is. Sara and her husband, Paul, have a special-needs son as well as an energetic middle-school daughter. This home has an answer for everyone. Located down the street from the school, it is ideally situated for their daughter and a self-contained apartment off the great room accommodates all their son’s needs while giving his caretakers privacy—and the family theirs. The Matthews began the building process by taking their thoughts and needs to Stephanie Baldwin and her team at Edgewater Design Group. Beyond the above considerations, they wanted their new home to be low maintenance and to stand out architecturally, “But not so much that anyone would complain that it didn’t work in our neighborhood,” says Sara. “We were thrilled that Edgewater listened to us and were able to give us a unique-looking house that is meeting all our needs.” Lombardy LLC built this handsome home with Paul working alongside the construction crew throughout the project. The low maintenance exterior is a cutting-edge blend of stacked stone, black corrugated steel, black framed windows and Douglas fir soffits—elements that add up to an organic contemporary look. The use of black steel, including interior beams and the staircase system, lend an industrial vibe that is courtesy of the Matthews’ friend Dan Mello of Trimet Industries in Traverse City. The couple first met Dan, a metal fabricator, a number of years ago, right around the time they found out that their then two-year-old son would never be able to walk. After the couple explained to Dan that they couldn’t find a solution for a child who wasn’t big enough for a wheelchair, he designed a comfortable, rolling chair that was just perfect. They still use it. The couple’s gratitude for the chair resulted in a trusting relationship with Dan, so it was natural for them to welcome his talents into their home-building process. A maple floor finished to bring out all of its color-tones envelops the room in warmth. Alder doors and trim and a Doug fir ceiling reflect that warmth. Clearstory windows and floor-to-ceiling window banks fill the space with light—and with views of the spacious grounds that will become a canvas for Paul, a retired landscaper. The couple’s vibrant art pieces play off against modernist furniture and lighting that is due to an inspired collaboration between Sara and interior designer Kelly Paulsen. “She was absolutely instrumental to the project,” Sara says. “I went through two designers before I finally found Kelly.” The open clean-lined kitchen, butler’s pantry outfitted with a beverage center and Miele coffee machine (that allows guests to wait on themselves when Sara is cooking), and an outdoor room that centers around a wood-burning fireplace, all make for easy, fabulous entertaining. A den just off the great room houses the big-screen television and Sara’s loom— making for relaxing evenings of weaving, game watching and togetherness. Tourgoers will leave understanding that this house is everything great design should be. Form following function—and solving very human issues with soul-soothing style.

Blue Elegance

Jaimie Anand Interiors

This is an example of a mid-sized modern open plan dining in Austin with beige walls, dark hardwood floors, no fireplace and brown floor.

Organik Charisma Hardwood Flooring - Kitchen

Lauzon Wood Floors

Discover Lauzon's new Organik Hard Maple hardwood flooring Charisma which features our new Pure Genius. The one and only air-purifying smart hardwood floor. This picture has been taken in a model home by Wrightland.

Photographer: Modern Elegance

Crystal Waye Photo Design

Photographer: Crystal Waye Photo Design
Photo of a mid-sized modern open plan dining in San Francisco with grey walls, dark hardwood floors, no fireplace and brown floor.

Modern Dining Room Design Ideas with Brown Floor

A modern 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 modern 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 modern 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 modern 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!