Family oriented farmhouse with board and batten siding, shaker style cabinetry, brick accents, and hardwood floors. Separate entrance from garage leading to a functional, one-bedroom in-law suite.

1960's Tri-Level Ranch

Lacy Keller Interiors

HomeStar Video Tours
Design ideas for a mid-sized midcentury open plan dining in Portland with grey walls, light hardwood floors, a corner fireplace and a brick fireplace surround.

Iconic Modern

LTW Design

Photo of a modern open plan dining in New York with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and a brick fireplace surround.

Laurelhurst Mid Century Modern

Darren Patt Construction

Inspiration for a large midcentury open plan dining in Seattle with beige walls, ceramic floors, a corner fireplace, a brick fireplace surround and beige floor.

422 Green St

PS & Daughters

Jaime Alvarez
Inspiration for a large eclectic open plan dining in Philadelphia with a brick fireplace surround, white walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and brown floor.

Beacon Hill Mid-Century

Ore Studios

Lauren Colton
This is an example of a mid-sized midcentury open plan dining in Seattle with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace surround and brown floor.

lake-house- Dining Room

Mary Anne Smiley Interiors

Danny Piassick
Inspiration for a large midcentury open plan dining in Dallas with beige walls, concrete floors, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace surround and grey floor.

Balsam Mountain Top Retreat

Architectural Design Incorporated

J Weiland
Inspiration for a large country open plan dining in Boston with beige walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and a brick fireplace surround.

Merrill House

GIBSON SOTHEBY’S INTERNATIONAL REALTY

https://www.beangroup.com/homes/45-E-Andover-Road-Andover/ME/04216/AGT-2261431456-942410/index.html Merrill House is a gracious, Early American Country Estate located in the picturesque Androscoggin River Valley, about a half hour northeast of Sunday River Ski Resort, Maine. This baronial estate, once a trophy of successful American frontier family and railroads industry publisher, Henry Varnum Poor, founder of Standard & Poor’s Corp., is comprised of a grand main house, caretaker’s house, and several barns. Entrance is through a Gothic great hall standing 30’ x 60’ and another 30’ high in the apex of its cathedral ceiling and showcases a granite hearth and mantel 12’ wide. Owned by the same family for over 225 years, it is currently a family retreat and is available for seasonal weddings and events with the capacity to accommodate 32 overnight guests and 200 outdoor guests. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and heralding contributions from Frederick Law Olmsted and Stanford White, the beautiful, legacy property sits on 110 acres of fields and forest with expansive views of the scenic Ellis River Valley and Mahoosuc mountains, offering more than a half-mile of pristine river-front, private spring-fed pond and beach, and 5 acres of manicured lawns and gardens. The historic property can be envisioned as a magnificent private residence, ski lodge, corporate retreat, hunting and fishing lodge, potential bed and breakfast, farm - with options for organic farming, commercial solar, storage or subdivision. Showings offered by appointment.

Chestnut Hill

J. Stewart Designs

Design ideas for a large country open plan dining in Jackson with white walls, concrete floors, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace surround and grey floor.

Mid-Century Modern, Whole House Renovation in Spring Mill Indianapolis

WrightWorks, LLC

The dining table was custom made from solid walnut, with live edges. The original brick veneer fireplace was kept, as well as the floating steel framed hearth. Photo by Christopher Wright, CR

San Diego Mid-century modern home staging

HomeScapes Home Staging San Diego

This mid-century modern home features tons of natural light, wonderful hardwood floors and an open concept with lots of outdoor living area and a large pool

Hollywood Hills

Bohl Architects

Photo of a midcentury open plan dining in Los Angeles with medium hardwood floors, a two-sided fireplace and a brick fireplace surround.

Completed Projects

The Nest Egg

Updated traditional dining room to be used as a multi purpose eating, homework, reading, mud room/storage area. Custom, made in the US, storage benches provide a home for backpacks, homework and more. Sunbrella covered dining chairs are kid friendly. Dash & Albert indoor/outdoor rug by Bunny Williams is pet and kid friendly and perfect for dining spaces. Wall color is Jute by Benjamin Moore. Palm Beach chandelier by Currey & Company. Reupholstered chair cushion fabric by Lee Industries. Window panels by Lacefield Designs. Art quote by Sugarboo Designs.

Urban Island Village Compound

Patrick Ahearn Architect

Photo of a mid-sized traditional open plan dining in Boston with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and a brick fireplace surround.

PBH Colip House

PBH Design

Design ideas for a large midcentury open plan dining in Dallas with white walls, bamboo floors, a standard fireplace and a brick fireplace surround.

Staging Woodland Hills

Haenen Design Studios

Original art and a contrasting rug shows this room's lovely features.
Mid-sized modern open plan dining in Los Angeles with white walls, laminate floors, a two-sided fireplace, a brick fireplace surround, black floor and vaulted.

Community Dining Table

Nine Dot Design

Design ideas for a small beach style open plan dining in Los Angeles with white walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace surround and brown floor.

Monica and Ray

AHG Interiors

Nick Glimenakis
Photo of a mid-sized transitional open plan dining in New York with white walls, light hardwood floors, a corner fireplace, a brick fireplace surround and beige floor.

Garden District Renovation

Brian Gille Architects, Ltd.

Design ideas for a mid-sized country open plan dining in New Orleans with dark hardwood floors, white walls, a standard fireplace and a brick fireplace surround.

Open Plan Dining Design Ideas with a Brick Fireplace Surround

A 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 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 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 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!