While the leather chairs lend to easier clean-ability, the wood table provides a sense of warmth in this gathering space. Bright white millwork and bead-board ceiling pop against the dark blue walls to add drama..

MIDCENTURY INSPIRED APARTMENT

Vera Montes De Oca Dohse

Harold Lambertus
This is an example of a mid-sized midcentury separate dining room in Other with grey walls, laminate floors and brown floor.

Collingwood - Ski Chalet

Rad Design Inc

Dining Room

Tara Seawright Interior Design

Design ideas for a large contemporary separate dining room in New York with white walls, laminate floors, no fireplace and white floor.

Graceful Dining Room

Blackdoor Design by Tamra Coviello

Small contemporary separate dining room in San Diego with white walls, laminate floors and brown floor.

Re-Designed Dining Room

Saavy Designs, LLC

This coastal inspired Dining Room was transformed with new flooring, wall color, accent wall, lighting & new furniture!
Small beach style separate dining room in Other with grey walls, laminate floors, no fireplace and multi-coloured floor.

Yellow Rhapsody: Kirkland living and dining area design

Interiors by Popov

This project is a great example of how small changes can have a huge impact on a space. Our clients wanted to have a more functional dining and living areas while combining his modern and hers more traditional style. The goal was to bring the space into the 21st century aesthetically without breaking the bank. We first tackled the massive oak built-in fireplace surround in the dining area, by painting it a lighter color. We added built-in LED lights, hidden behind each shelf ledge, to provide soft accent lighting. By changing the color of the trim and walls, we lightened the whole space up. We turned a once unused space, adjacent to the living room into a much-needed library, accommodating an area for the electric piano. We added light modern sectional, an elegant coffee table, and a contemporary TV media unit in the living room. New dark wood floors, stylish accessories and yellow drapery add warmth to the space and complete the look. The home is now ready for a grand party with champagne and live entertainment.

Laminate Flooring

Randall Lee's Flooring America

Inspiration for a mid-sized traditional separate dining room in Portland with laminate floors, no fireplace, brown floor and green walls.

Kaywood

Romina Black Interiors

This is an example of a transitional separate dining room in Austin with beige walls, laminate floors and brown floor.

Mountain View Eichler remodel

Eisenmann Architecture

This is an example of a mid-sized contemporary separate dining room in San Francisco with white walls, laminate floors, no fireplace and grey floor.

Appartement Marseille

User

Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary separate dining room in Marseille with white walls, no fireplace, laminate floors and beige floor.

Sunset Ave

Riverside Builders, Inc.

This is an example of a mid-sized traditional separate dining room in Sacramento with beige walls, laminate floors and grey floor.

Dúplex en Gracia. Salón

Puig + Payá arquitectos

Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary separate dining room in Barcelona with white walls, laminate floors and brown floor.

Sutters Mill - Riley 2912 Transitional Model Home

True Homes USA

This is the Dining Room in our Riley 2912 Transitional plan. This is a model home at our Sutter’s Mill location in Troutman, NC.
Photo of a large traditional separate dining room in Charlotte with green walls, laminate floors and grey floor.

Greensward Kiawah

Harper Construction Inc.

William Quarelles
This is an example of a mid-sized beach style separate dining room in Charleston with beige walls, laminate floors and brown floor.

Manhattan Waterfront Apartment

Black-eyed Susan

Mid-sized transitional separate dining room in New York with grey walls, no fireplace and laminate floors.

Dining

Copper Cat Interior Design

Stuart Cox
This is an example of a small country separate dining room in Dorset with grey walls, laminate floors, grey floor and no fireplace.

Huntington Dr.

Give Me Shelter

Small traditional separate dining room in Other with beige walls, laminate floors, no fireplace and brown floor.

Warlingham detached home

Seasons in Colour

Dining room with Little Greene Camelia wallpaper and walls in Pale Wedgwood. The dining table is a family heirloom. The design incorporates old and new elements. Three FLOS wall lights have been added to compensate for the lack of a central ceiling light in the room. The round mirror (90cm wide) helps bounce light around the room. Future plans include extending the kitchen and joining it up with the dining room in one big open plan space. Photo: Jenny Kakoudakis

Hebert-3311

Manuel Builders, LLC

Design ideas for a mid-sized traditional separate dining room in New Orleans with green walls, laminate floors, no fireplace and brown floor.

Separate Dining Room Design Ideas with Laminate 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!