The draperies were fabricated with irridescent gold taffeta, crinkled with elegant, full length flair. Everything came together so well in this low-lit atmosphere, just the place to sit down for a family meal. Craftsman Four Square, Seattle, WA, Belltown Design, Photography by Julie Mannell.

A Diamond on the Bay

Casabella Interiors

Inspiration for a mid-sized beach style separate dining room in Boston with white walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace surround and brown floor.

Art Collector's House

Leslie Driscoll Design

Custom mural by Mark King in the style of Rufus Porter. Mural shows the surrounding harbor of Mystic Connecticut as it was in colonial times. Custom floor cloth by the same artist complements the folk art feel of the decor.

Charming Freestanding Home in Leichhardt

Pilcher Residential

Pilcher Residential
Design ideas for an eclectic separate dining room in Sydney with carpet, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace surround and beige floor.

Family Compound on Narragansett Bay, RI

Lindsay Architecture Studio, P.C.

Photo of a large traditional separate dining room in Providence with beige walls, ceramic floors, a standard fireplace and a brick fireplace surround.

Bayou St. John Single Family Renovation

Adamick Architecture

Photo of a mid-sized traditional separate dining room in New Orleans with white walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and a brick fireplace surround.

SUMMIT MODERN

Kate Roos Design LLC

Mid-sized modern separate dining room in Minneapolis with white walls, light hardwood floors, a two-sided fireplace and a brick fireplace surround.

Mill Valley Historical Charmer

Rasmussen Construction

Mid-sized traditional separate dining room in San Francisco with green walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace surround and brown floor.

17th Century Thatched Cottage

User

This traditional dining room has an oak floor with dining furniture from Bylaw Furniture. The chairs are covered in Sanderson Clovelly fabric, and the curtains are in James Hare Orissa Silk Gilver, teamed with Bradley Collection curtain poles. The inglenook fireplace houses a wood burner, and the original cheese cabinet creates a traditional feel to this room. The original oak beams in the ceiling ensures this space is intimate for formal dining. Photos by Steve Russell Studios

Harbor Restoration

Patrick Ahearn Architect

Greg Premru
This is an example of a mid-sized beach style separate dining room in Boston with brown walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and a brick fireplace surround.

Andrew Residence

Marvin

2013 Red Diamond Achiever Award winner: Randy Burton of Burton Builders Distributor: Super Enterprises Products Used: Wood-Ultrex® Double Hung, Inswing French Door, and Casement & Awning windows. Wood-Ultrex® IMPACT (IZ3) Casement & Awning, and Double Hung windows. Marvin® windows.

St Göransgtan Malmö

Fotograf Jonas Norén

Inspiration for a mid-sized eclectic separate dining room in Malmo with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a corner fireplace and a brick fireplace surround.

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

Water View Greenwich Home

GRAYSON DE VERE

Inspiration for a large contemporary separate dining room in Other with brown walls, medium hardwood floors, a corner fireplace, a brick fireplace surround and brown floor.

Southern Plantation Residence

Adelene Keeler Smith Interior Design

Vintage formal dining room enlists treasured family heirloom dining set from grand parents. Custom swag window valances with wood clothe taped blinds complete this old south dining allure. Brass chandelier adds sparkle.

Sands Point, NY

Center Island Contracting Inc.

Traditional Dining Room right off Foyer, with Wood Burning Stove, Custom Mantle, Custom Built In's with lighting and Recessed Panels throughout room.

Lillooet Dining Room

User

This room was widened as part of a larger renovation, then the long wall was covered in brick veneer. The 96" fireplace is floating on the wall surface. New parsons chairs were added to an existing table. Jeanne Grier/Stylish Fireplaces & Interiors

1945 Farmhouse.

Sensible Build Inc.

Mid-sized country separate dining room in Other with white walls, light hardwood floors, a wood stove, a brick fireplace surround and beige floor.

Southern Comfort: Bellaire Showcase Home

Stone Acorn Builders

This is an example of a traditional separate dining room in Houston with grey walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace surround and brown floor.

Glass pivot door with central axis and 360° hinge

ANYWAY Doors

Koen Dries
Inspiration for a large contemporary separate dining room in Other with white walls, light hardwood floors, a two-sided fireplace and a brick fireplace surround.

Separate Dining Room 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!