Custom Home in Dallas (Midway Hollow), Dallas
Large transitional separate dining room in Dallas with grey walls, brown floor, recessed, panelled walls and dark hardwood floors.

East Willowdale

Pizzale Design Inc.

Inspiration for a small modern separate dining room in Toronto with white walls, medium hardwood floors, no fireplace, brown floor and panelled walls.

Vacant Staging Portfolio

Alme Design Co

Design ideas for a transitional separate dining room in Milwaukee with grey walls, medium hardwood floors, no fireplace, brown floor and panelled walls.

Princeton Ave

Round Table Design

Photo of a transitional separate dining room in Austin with pink walls, medium hardwood floors, brown floor and panelled walls.

Blackheath Restoration

Imperfect Interiors

The dining room in our Blackheath restoration project was panelled in a dark wood which contrasts with the paler oak herringbone parquet floor, a William Morris electric bind & pair of velvet armchairs panelled ceiling

Medium Wood Engineered Hardwood Floors | Hallmark Floors

Hallmark Floors

The Malibu Oak from the Alta Vista Collection is such a rich medium toned hardwood floor with longer and wider planks. PC: Abby Joeilers
Design ideas for a large modern separate dining room in Los Angeles with beige walls, medium hardwood floors, no fireplace, a brick fireplace surround, multi-coloured floor, vaulted and panelled walls.

The Brookfield at Wright's Landing

Landmark Homes

formal dining room with wall detail
Large midcentury separate dining room in Other with black walls, light hardwood floors, panelled walls and brown floor.

Seagull Two Project

White Horse Design

Transitional separate dining room in Philadelphia with white walls, medium hardwood floors, no fireplace, brown floor, vaulted and panelled walls.

Form Marries Function

Ashley Campbell Interior Design

Layers of texture and high contrast in this mid-century modern dining room. Inhabit living recycled wall flats painted in a high gloss charcoal paint as the feature wall. Three-sided flare fireplace adds warmth and visual interest to the dividing wall between dining room and den.

Ault View Classic Dining Room

Winding Lane Interiors

Presidio heights Revival

SKIN Interior Design

Photo of a traditional separate dining room in Chicago with orange walls, medium hardwood floors, brown floor and panelled walls.

Valencia at Viera - St. Martin Model Dining Room

Masterpiece Design Group

The intent of the antique mirror feature wall was to create a vibe of old world meets new world intertwined. The built-in wine display is a splendid touch for the space. Introducing different wood tones in the floor, ceiling, and furniture gives the space the warmth and depth needed.

Happy Traditional Home

Cooper Interiors

Design ideas for a transitional separate dining room in New York with white walls, medium hardwood floors, brown floor, panelled walls, decorative wall panelling and wallpaper.

Barbaro | Bellevue

JayMarc Homes

he Barbaro's dining room is a captivating space that invites you to gather and indulge in culinary delights. The room features a dark hardwood floor that adds a touch of richness and warmth to the atmosphere. A stunning chandelier hangs above the dining table, casting a soft and alluring glow, setting the perfect ambiance for intimate dinners or lively gatherings. The white walls create a sense of openness and purity, allowing the room to feel bright and airy. With its combination of the dark hardwood floor, mesmerizing chandelier, and pristine white walls, the dining room in the Barbaro exudes a sophisticated and welcoming charm, making it an ideal setting for memorable dining experiences.

Boxford Beauty

Beige and Bleu Design Studio

Design ideas for a large transitional separate dining room in Boston with blue walls, medium hardwood floors, a wood fireplace surround, exposed beam and panelled walls.

Russian Hill view property

EAG Studio

Transitional separate dining room in San Francisco with black walls, medium hardwood floors, no fireplace, brown floor, wallpaper and panelled walls.

Prospect Hill

Lovas Architects LLC

This is an example of a traditional separate dining room in New York with green walls, dark hardwood floors, brown floor and panelled walls.

Chester Street

ND Studios

Photo of a mid-sized transitional separate dining room in London with white walls, medium hardwood floors, brown floor and panelled walls.

Ault View Classic Dining Room

Winding Lane Interiors

This gorgeous dining room is ready for a party! The chippendale-style chairs are upholstered in a sumptuous but stain-resistant velvet, and the tortoiseshell table is almost to pretty to eat on! Blue and pink accents accentuate the fun but still classic feel of this beautiful space. The clean-lined buffet with its grand mirror above is the perfect place to display favorite objects and to serve a fabulous meal!

Dining Room Design

Caron Kelly Interiors

This is an example of a transitional separate dining room in Miami with blue walls, medium hardwood floors, brown floor and panelled walls.

Separate Dining Room Design Ideas with Panelled Walls

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!