Traditional separate dining room in Boston with grey walls, dark hardwood floors and brown floor.

These clients were looking for a contemporary dining space to seat 8. We commissioned a custom made 72" round dining table with an X-base. The chairs are covered in Sunbrella fabric so there is no need to worry about spills. Custom artwork, drapes, lighting, accessories, and wainscoting finished off the space.

Greenwich, CT

Valerie Grant Interiors

Peter Rymwid
Photo of a large traditional separate dining room in New York with blue walls, dark hardwood floors and no fireplace.

Formal Dining & Butler's Pantry

Highland Homes, Inc.

Formal Dining with Butler's Pantry that connects this space to the Kitchen beyond.
Inspiration for a mid-sized separate dining room in New Orleans with white walls, dark hardwood floors and no fireplace.

Richmond House

VORBILD Architecture

Inspiration for a large transitional separate dining room in London with beige walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a plaster fireplace surround and brown floor.

Madison, Mississippi

Rivers Spencer

Design ideas for a transitional separate dining room in New Orleans with multi-coloured walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, brown floor and panelled walls.

Custom Ranch/Country Home

Edge Engineering, Inc.

Mid-sized country separate dining room in Other with beige walls, dark hardwood floors and brown floor.

Ardsley Custom

M. Lahr Homes

Large transitional separate dining room in Orlando with grey walls, dark hardwood floors and brown floor.

A Mid-Century Modern Apartment Makeover

Décor Aid

New Yorkers are always on the prowl for innovative ways to make the most of the space they have. An upper east side couple, challenged with a slightly narrow L shaped apartment sought out Decor Aid’s help to make the most of their Manhattan condo. Paired with one of our senior designer, Kimberly P., we learned that the clients wanted a space that looked beautiful, comfortable and also packed with functionality for everyday living. “Immediately upon seeing the space, I knew that we needed to create a narrative that allowed the design to control how you moved through the space,” reports Kimberly, senior interior designer. After surveying each room and learning a bit more about their personal style, we started with the living room remodel. It was clear that the couple wanted to infuse mid-century modern into the design plan. Sourcing the Room & Board Jasper Sofa with its narrow arms and tapered legs, it offered the mid-century look, with the modern comfort the clients are used to. Velvet accent pillows from West Elm and Crate & Barrel add pops of colors but also a subtle touch of luxury, while framed pictures from the couple’s honeymoon personalize the space. Moving to the dining room next, Kimberly decided to add a blue accent wall to emphasize the Horchow two piece Percussion framed art that was to be the focal point of the dining area. The Seno sideboard from Article perfectly accentuated the mid-century style the clients loved while providing much-needed storage space. The palette used throughout both rooms were very New York style, grays, blues, beiges, and whites, to add depth, Kimberly sourced decorative pieces in a mixture of different metals. “The artwork above their bureau in the bedroom is photographs that her father took,” Moving into the bedroom renovation, our designer made sure to continue to stick to the client’s style preference while once again creating a personalized, warm and comforting space by including the photographs taken by the client’s father. The Avery bed added texture and complimented the other colors in the room, while a hidden drawer at the foot pulls out for attached storage, which thrilled the clients. A deco-inspired Faceted mirror from West Elm was a perfect addition to the bedroom due to the illusion of space it provides. The result was a bedroom that was full of mid-century design, personality, and area so they can freely move around. The project resulted in the form of a layered mid-century modern design with touches of luxury but a space that can not only be lived in but serves as an extension of the people who live there. Our designer was able to take a very narrowly shaped Manhattan apartment and revamp it into a spacious home that is great for sophisticated entertaining or comfortably lazy nights in.

Period Renovation - Bowdon, Cheshire

Tsiantar Architects Ltd

The original house was previously extended but had not been constructed to be in keeping with a building of this age and architectural appearance. We demolished the existing garage and two storey rear extension, both of which formed part of the previous extension works, and replaced this with a single storey side extension and a two storey rear extension, both of which are on the same footprint. Furthermore we formed a small rear single storey entrance which enabled us to open up the existing stairs which were cramped and devoid of any natural light. The main principle of the scheme was to open up the interior of the building allowing for improved natural light and to create an efficient, ergonomic family dwelling which blends into the long-established neighbourhood. All materials that have been used are in keeping with the period of the house and the design of the extension retain the proportions and heights of the existing period of the property, along with the windows and doors and a new Victorian styled traditional sky lantern.

A taste of what we do

Window Statement LLC

Mid-sized transitional separate dining room in Phoenix with grey walls, dark hardwood floors, no fireplace and brown floor.

Glen Ridge Home

Toledo Geller

Photo of a mid-sized transitional separate dining room in New York with multi-coloured walls, brown floor, dark hardwood floors and no fireplace.

Dining Rooms

Albarado's Fine Furnishings

Woodbridge
Small traditional separate dining room in New Orleans with dark hardwood floors, brown floor, white walls and no fireplace.

DC Dining Room

Alison Giese Interiors

This polished dining room keeps sleek lines in play, while still feeling warm and welcoming. The custom-designed zebra-print host chairs take center stage, and play beautifully with the rich teal silk curtains. The art deco lines of the table maintain the air of luxury in a clean, crisp way. Photo by: Robert Radifera Styling: Charlotte Safavi

Silver Glam Dining Room

Lynne Lawson's Decorating Den Interiors

Lynne and Laura decided to paint the walls deep gray, with a lighter gray ceiling to accentuate the wood molding. Upholstered gray chairs are placed to follow the oval curves of the table. Accents include a large black fretwork front cabinet with soaring lamps, feather artwork, fork motif artwork and accent mirrors. Silver faux silk drapery panels and a Moroccan motif rug complete the room.

Johnson Design Projects

Kelly Johnson Design

Photo of a traditional separate dining room in St Louis with beige walls and dark hardwood floors.

North Burling Townhouse

Lichten Architects

This is an example of a mid-sized transitional separate dining room in New York with grey walls and dark hardwood floors.

San Gabriel Valley 2

Jennifer Bevan Interiors

Mediterranean separate dining room in Los Angeles with grey walls and dark hardwood floors.

CARNEGIE HILL DUPLEX

Mendelson Group

Eric Piasecki
Design ideas for a contemporary separate dining room in New York with blue walls and dark hardwood floors.

Tillinghast

YAWN design studio, inc. FL IB 26000604

stephen allen photography
Photo of a mid-sized traditional separate dining room in Miami with grey walls and dark hardwood floors.

Separate Dining Room Design Ideas with Dark Hardwood Floors

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!