First impression count as you enter this custom-built Horizon Homes property at Kellyville. The home opens into a stylish entryway, with soaring double height ceilings. It’s often said that the kitchen is the heart of the home. And that’s literally true with this home. With the kitchen in the centre of the ground floor, this home provides ample formal and informal living spaces on the ground floor. At the rear of the house, a rumpus room, living room and dining room overlooking a large alfresco kitchen and dining area make this house the perfect entertainer. It’s functional, too, with a butler’s pantry, and laundry (with outdoor access) leading off the kitchen. There’s also a mudroom – with bespoke joinery – next to the garage. Upstairs is a mezzanine office area and four bedrooms, including a luxurious main suite with dressing room, ensuite and private balcony. Outdoor areas were important to the owners of this knockdown rebuild. While the house is large at almost 454m2, it fills only half the block. That means there’s a generous backyard. A central courtyard provides further outdoor space. Of course, this courtyard – as well as being a gorgeous focal point – has the added advantage of bringing light into the centre of the house.

Moseley Victorian semi-detached house, Birmingham

Rumi Bunya Design Ltd

Mid-sized eclectic open plan dining in West Midlands with white walls, light hardwood floors, no fireplace, a tile fireplace surround and grey floor.

Eclectic Arts + Crafts Dining Room with Fireplace + Round Marble Top Table

Jennifer Gustafson Interior Design

• Craftsman-style dining area • Furnishings + decorative accessory styling • Pedestal dining table base - Herman Miller Eames base w/custom top • Vintage wood framed dining chairs re-upholstered • Oversized floor lamp - Artemide • Burlap wall treatment • Leather Ottoman - Herman Miller Eames • Fireplace with vintage tile + wood mantel • Wood ceiling beams • Modern art

Hilltop Spanish Mediterranean Home

Allen Construction

Beautiful Spanish tile details are present in almost every room of the home creating a unifying theme and warm atmosphere. Wood beamed ceilings converge between the living room, dining room, and kitchen to create an open great room. Arched windows and large sliding doors frame the amazing views of the ocean. Architect: Beving Architecture Photographs: Jim Bartsch Photographer

Hollywood Regency Dining Room

Blackdoor Design by Tamra Coviello

Custom molding on the walls adds depth and drama to the space. The client's bold David Bowie painting pops against the Sherwin Williams Gauntlet Gray walls. The organic burl wood table and the mid-century sputnik chandelier (from Arteriors) adds softness to the space. Photo by Melissa Au

Contemporaneo Sala Da Pranzo

Inspiration for a contemporary open plan dining in Milan with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a tile fireplace surround and brown floor.

Dining room to living room

Camber Construction

Oakland Hills Whole Hose Remodel. Award-winning Design for Living’s Dream Kitchen Contest in 2007. Design by Twig Gallemore at Elevation Design & Architecture. Photo of dining room to living room and fireplace

Heatilator Design Gallery

CR Gas Logs & Fireplaces

Design ideas for a mid-sized modern open plan dining in Boston with beige walls, medium hardwood floors, a two-sided fireplace, a tile fireplace surround and brown floor.

Sewall's Point Waterfront Home

Francesca Morgan Interiors

Inspiration for a mid-sized beach style open plan dining in Miami with grey walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and a tile fireplace surround.

East AND West Windows

New Century Design Inc.

Carrie De Boon
Design ideas for a country open plan dining in Calgary with beige walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and a tile fireplace surround.

Ponte Vedra Beach Condo

Lauren Leonard Interiors

Inspiration for a mid-sized beach style open plan dining in Jacksonville with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and a tile fireplace surround.

Beverly Estates Residence

Ameen Ayoub Design Studio

Inspiration for an expansive contemporary open plan dining in Los Angeles with white walls, a two-sided fireplace, a tile fireplace surround and grey floor.

Family Room

Landmark Building Consultants LLC

This is an example of a mid-sized transitional open plan dining in Phoenix with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a tile fireplace surround and brown floor.

Impeccable Charm

All Star Premier Homes, LLC

Design ideas for a country open plan dining in New Orleans with beige walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and a tile fireplace surround.

Caisson Studios– Interior Designer Los Angeles

Caisson Studios

This is an example of a large contemporary open plan dining in Los Angeles with white walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and a tile fireplace surround.

Frontenac Contemporary Home

Tamsin Design Group

Designer: Tamsin Design Group, Photographer: Alise O'Brien, Builder REA Homes, Architect: Mitchell Wall
Large contemporary open plan dining in St Louis with a tile fireplace surround, white walls, a two-sided fireplace and white floor.

PBH Keith Heights

PBH Design

Mid-sized midcentury open plan dining in Dallas with white walls, dark hardwood floors, a two-sided fireplace and a tile fireplace surround.

Superview Residence

Daniel Boardman Residential Design

Photo of a contemporary open plan dining in Austin with white walls, concrete floors, a ribbon fireplace, a tile fireplace surround and grey floor.

Parisian salon

Jane Ellison

A custom-cut piece of glass tops a Saarinen tulip table base framed by a curvaceous silk-velvet settee and a wood bench stands in place of a conventional dining set in the dining area. “I didn’t want the clutter of a lot of chairs” Jane says. “It would have interfered with the calm of the room.” Timber bamboo, lustrous overscale Vietnamese pottery, a trio of sparkling Thai mirrors, and nearly a dozen candles interspersed with smooth dark stones enhance the dining area’s grown-up appeal.

Квартира на Петроградской стороне в доме с совами

Екатерина Титенко

Inspiration for a mid-sized eclectic open plan dining in Saint Petersburg with multi-coloured walls, medium hardwood floors, a wood stove, a tile fireplace surround and brown floor.

Open Plan Dining Design Ideas with a Tile 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!