Entertaining is a large part of these client's life. Their existing dining room, while nice, couldn't host a large party. The original dining room was extended 16' to create a large entertaining space, complete with a built in bar area. Floor to ceiling windows and plenty of lighting throughout keeps the space nice and bright. The bar includes a custom stained wine rack, pull out trays for liquor, sink, wine fridge, and plenty of storage space for extras. The homeowner even built his own table on site to make sure it would fit the space as best as it could.

Transitional Dining Room

Photo of a transitional separate dining room in New York with brown walls, medium hardwood floors, no fireplace, brown floor, exposed beam, timber, vaulted and wallpaper.

Minneapolis Whole Home Renovation

Revolution Design and Build

Design ideas for a large contemporary dining room in Minneapolis with white walls, light hardwood floors, beige floor, timber and planked wall panelling.

House on the Hill

Georgia Zikas Design

Youthful tradition for a bustling young family. Refined and elegant, deliberate and thoughtful — with outdoor living fun.
Photo of a traditional separate dining room in Other with blue walls, medium hardwood floors, brown floor, decorative wall panelling and wallpaper.

Maple Grove

Interior Anthology

Photo of a traditional separate dining room in Nashville with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and brown floor.

French Country Estate

O’Hara Interiors

Martha O'Hara Interiors, Interior Design & Photo Styling | John Kraemer & Sons, Builder | Charlie & Co. Design, Architectural Designer | Corey Gaffer, Photography Please Note: All “related,” “similar,” and “sponsored” products tagged or listed by Houzz are not actual products pictured. They have not been approved by Martha O’Hara Interiors nor any of the professionals credited. For information about our work, please contact design@oharainteriors.com.

Sand Section, Manhattan Beach CA

Eden LA Furniture and Interiors

When one thing leads to another...and another...and another... This fun family of 5 humans and one pup enlisted us to do a simple living room/dining room upgrade. Those led to updating the kitchen with some simple upgrades. (Thanks to Superior Tile and Stone) And that led to a total primary suite gut and renovation (Thanks to Verity Kitchens and Baths). When we were done, they sold their now perfect home and upgraded to the Beach Modern one a few galleries back. They might win the award for best Before/After pics in both projects! We love working with them and are happy to call them our friends. Design by Eden LA Interiors Photo by Kim Pritchard Photography

Ronalds Home

User

Mid-sized contemporary separate dining room in London with multi-coloured walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and a stone fireplace surround.

Westlake Hills

Ashby Collective

Large contemporary separate dining room in Austin with white walls, no fireplace and brown floor.

Magical Makeover - Grey Oaks

Harwick Homes

Inspiration for a mediterranean dining room in Miami.

Traditional Four-Square Revival

Olson & Jones Construction, Inc

Photo of a traditional separate dining room in Portland with white walls.

Palos Verdes Home

Siri Berting Photography

Design ideas for a large mediterranean separate dining room in Los Angeles with white walls, medium hardwood floors, brown floor and exposed beam.

Interior Renovation in West Chester, PA

Rudloff Custom Builders

We call this dining room modern-farmhouse-chic! As the focal point of the room, the fireplace was the perfect space for an accent wall. We white-washed the fireplace’s brick and added a white surround and mantle and finished the wall with white shiplap. We also added the same shiplap as wainscoting to the other walls. A special feature of this room is the coffered ceiling. We recessed the chandelier directly into the beam for a clean, seamless look. This farmhouse style home in West Chester is the epitome of warmth and welcoming. We transformed this house’s original dark interior into a light, bright sanctuary. From installing brand new red oak flooring throughout the first floor to adding horizontal shiplap to the ceiling in the family room, we really enjoyed working with the homeowners on every aspect of each room. A special feature is the coffered ceiling in the dining room. We recessed the chandelier directly into the beams, for a clean, seamless look. We maximized the space in the white and chrome galley kitchen by installing a lot of custom storage. The pops of blue throughout the first floor give these room a modern touch. Rudloff Custom Builders has won Best of Houzz for Customer Service in 2014, 2015 2016, 2017 and 2019. We also were voted Best of Design in 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 which only 2% of professionals receive. Rudloff Custom Builders has been featured on Houzz in their Kitchen of the Week, What to Know About Using Reclaimed Wood in the Kitchen as well as included in their Bathroom WorkBook article. We are a full service, certified remodeling company that covers all of the Philadelphia suburban area. This business, like most others, developed from a friendship of young entrepreneurs who wanted to make a difference in their clients’ lives, one household at a time. This relationship between partners is much more than a friendship. Edward and Stephen Rudloff are brothers who have renovated and built custom homes together paying close attention to detail. They are carpenters by trade and understand concept and execution. Rudloff Custom Builders will provide services for you with the highest level of professionalism, quality, detail, punctuality and craftsmanship, every step of the way along our journey together. Specializing in residential construction allows us to connect with our clients early in the design phase to ensure that every detail is captured as you imagined. One stop shopping is essentially what you will receive with Rudloff Custom Builders from design of your project to the construction of your dreams, executed by on-site project managers and skilled craftsmen. Our concept: envision our client’s ideas and make them a reality. Our mission: CREATING LIFETIME RELATIONSHIPS BUILT ON TRUST AND INTEGRITY. Photo Credit: Linda McManus Images

Winding Cape Way

Hensley Custom Building Group

Formal dining room with ceiling trim
Large traditional separate dining room in Cincinnati with grey walls and dark hardwood floors.

Lake Butler

Ashley Martin Home

dining room
Inspiration for a large transitional separate dining room in Orlando with multi-coloured walls, light hardwood floors, no fireplace and brown floor.

Transitional Dining Room

Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional separate dining room in Dallas with grey walls, medium hardwood floors and brown floor.

Highland Park Transitional

Danes Custom Homes

Inspiration for a mediterranean separate dining room in Dallas with white walls, light hardwood floors and no fireplace.

Nash Pond House

Sellars Lathrop Architects, llc

This is an example of a large contemporary separate dining room in New York with white walls, dark hardwood floors, no fireplace and brown floor.

Island Knoll Residence

Cornerstone Architects

This is an example of a mediterranean separate dining room in Austin with white walls, dark hardwood floors and a standard fireplace.

French Quarter Maisonette

Decorations Lucullus

What happens when something tells you it’s time for a change? The perfectly nice, big, traditional house on a leafy street uptown seems not what you want anymore. Suddenly, in a coup de foudre, you fall in love with a seductive cottage in the French Quarter. You want color and daring and lots of interior fun! Decorations Lucullus promises to creatively indulge your every whimsy. It’s not bohemian, it’s not rebellion its just you expressing yourself.

Breakfast Nook Separate Dining Room Design Ideas

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!