Large contemporary separate dining room in Los Angeles with white walls, medium hardwood floors, brown floor, a ribbon fireplace and a plaster fireplace surround.

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artELLE-design

Large scandinavian separate dining room in Moscow with white walls, medium hardwood floors, brown floor and a ribbon fireplace.

Weehawken

Design Depot

This is an example of a small modern separate dining room in New York with grey walls, dark hardwood floors, a ribbon fireplace and a tile fireplace surround.

Dining room coffered ceiling

Woodbeam Company Inc.

Cofferred ceiling beams by the Woodbeam Company. Finely crafted real wood box beams that are light weight, easy to install and cost effective. Supplying western Canada. Beams finished in a partial reclaimed texture.

Modern Masterpiece

Branagh Development

Large separate dining room in San Francisco with white walls, a ribbon fireplace and a stone fireplace surround.

Contemporary Fireplace Design in Andersonville

Habitar Design

Designer, Kapan Shipman, created two contemporary fireplaces and unique built-in displays in this historic Andersonville home. The living room cleverly uses the unique angled space to house a sleek stone and wood fireplace with built in shelving and wall-mounted tv. We also custom built a vertical built-in closet at the back entryway as a mini mudroom for extra storage at the door. In the open-concept dining room, a gorgeous white stone gas fireplace is the focal point with a built-in credenza buffet for the dining area. At the front entryway, Kapan designed one of our most unique built ins with floor-to-ceiling wood beams anchoring white pedestal boxes for display. Another beauty is the industrial chic stairwell combining steel wire and a dark reclaimed wood bannister.

Mendota Design Gallery

Mendota Hearth

Inspiration for a large transitional separate dining room in Cedar Rapids with beige walls, carpet, a ribbon fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and grey floor.

London family home

Chris Murphy

Chris Murphy
Design ideas for a mid-sized scandinavian separate dining room in London with white walls, dark hardwood floors, a ribbon fireplace and brown floor.

Hasserton - Transitional Prairie Style Lakefront

Visbeen Architects

The Hasserton is a sleek take on the waterfront home. This multi-level design exudes modern chic as well as the comfort of a family cottage. The sprawling main floor footprint offers homeowners areas to lounge, a spacious kitchen, a formal dining room, access to outdoor living, and a luxurious master bedroom suite. The upper level features two additional bedrooms and a loft, while the lower level is the entertainment center of the home. A curved beverage bar sits adjacent to comfortable sitting areas. A guest bedroom and exercise facility are also located on this floor.

Woods Hole, Falmouth, MA - Private Residence II

C.H. Newton Builders, Inc

Inspiration for a large contemporary separate dining room in Boston with medium hardwood floors and a ribbon fireplace.

Corona Del Mar

McRae Lambert Dunn

Design ideas for a large contemporary separate dining room in Orange County with white walls, a ribbon fireplace, a wood fireplace surround, beige floor and concrete floors.

Fairview Custom New Build

BGI Design

This is an example of a large transitional separate dining room in Dallas with metallic walls, medium hardwood floors, a ribbon fireplace, a tile fireplace surround, brown floor, recessed and wallpaper.

Blanes

Piramide Grup

Fotografo O S C A R G U T I E R R E Z
Design ideas for a large contemporary separate dining room in Other with white walls, light hardwood floors and a ribbon fireplace.

H. Residence

Crown Jewell Entertainment Systems, Inc.

Inspiration for a large transitional separate dining room in Orange County with grey walls, a ribbon fireplace, dark hardwood floors, a concrete fireplace surround and brown floor.

Modern Renovation, Rye Brook, NY

Lara Michelle Interiors Inc.

Chuan Ding
Design ideas for a large transitional separate dining room in New York with a ribbon fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, grey walls and medium hardwood floors.

Open Contemporary Custom Home

GM Drafting & Design Inc.

Photo: Julian Plimley
Photo of a mid-sized contemporary separate dining room in Vancouver with grey walls, light hardwood floors, a ribbon fireplace, a wood fireplace surround and brown floor.

Mexican Hacienda

DD Ford Construction

Jim Bartsch Photography
Large mediterranean separate dining room in Santa Barbara with beige walls, terra-cotta floors, a ribbon fireplace and a stone fireplace surround.

# Brookdale # Lorne Rose Architects # Modern Contemporary

BRIKS Design-Build Group

Design ideas for a large modern separate dining room in Toronto with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a tile fireplace surround, brown floor and a ribbon fireplace.

RealCast - Real Concrete Panels - Dining Room Fireplace Surround - Medium Grey

Wall Theory

This stunning fireplace feature was made using our RealCast real concrete panels, which are a lightweight, thin, fiber-reinforced concrete. The panels are fireproof and waterproof and are a modern addition to this contemporary dining room. Because these panels can simply be glued or screwed to just about any surface, this was an easier and quicker alternative to poured concrete.

Dining Room

Audrey Sterk Design

Liz Nemeth
This is an example of a mid-sized beach style separate dining room in Boston with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a ribbon fireplace and a metal fireplace surround.

Separate Dining Room Design Ideas with a Ribbon Fireplace

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!