Inspiration for a small country open plan dining in Atlanta with white walls, medium hardwood floors, no fireplace and brown floor.

Mercer Island Farmhouse Modern

RW Anderson Homes

This is an example of a small country kitchen/dining combo in Seattle with beige walls, dark hardwood floors, no fireplace and brown floor.

Hollywood Actor's Off Grid Tiny Home

Tru Form Tiny

Designed by Malia Schultheis and built by Tru Form Tiny. This Tiny Home features Blue stained pine for the ceiling, pine wall boards in white, custom barn door, custom steel work throughout, and modern minimalist window trim in fir. This table folds down and away.

Riverside Farmhouse, Yarmouth Maine

Brush and Hammer Builders

Small country dining room in Portland Maine with grey walls, light hardwood floors, no fireplace and beige floor.

Modern Farmhouse

Neff Designs

Jen Jones
Design ideas for a small country dining room in Seattle with grey walls, medium hardwood floors, no fireplace and brown floor.

1880 Farmhouse

AHG Interiors

Nick Glimenakis
Photo of a small country separate dining room in New York with white walls, light hardwood floors and white floor.

Freeport Tiny House

Marvin Design Gallery by Eldredge Lumber

Integrity from Marvin Windows and Doors open this tiny house up to a larger-than-life ocean view.
This is an example of a small country open plan dining in Portland Maine with blue walls, light hardwood floors, no fireplace and brown floor.

Rustic Cottage by Sisson Dupont and Carder

SISSON DUPONT & CARDER INC

Dining and living of this rustic cottage by Sisson Dupont and Carder. Neutral and grays.
Photo of a small country open plan dining in Other with grey walls, painted wood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and brown floor.

Classic Farmhouse

Renewal Homes,LLC

Small country separate dining room in Other with white walls, light hardwood floors, no fireplace and beige floor.

New Haven Restoration

Kate Nelson Interiors

Design ideas for a small country separate dining room in Burlington with blue walls, light hardwood floors and no fireplace.

Gourmet Kitchens

Sabal Homes

Gourmet Kitchen
Small country dining room in Charleston with medium hardwood floors.

Majestic Breck

Apex Mountain Homes

Another moss rock fireplace is the focal point for the casual eating area and kitchen. It's cozy warmth provides just the right touch on cold winter days and chilly spring and fall mornings.

Eagle Harbor Cabin

FINNE Architects

The Eagle Harbor Cabin is located on a wooded waterfront property on Lake Superior, at the northerly edge of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, about 300 miles northeast of Minneapolis. The wooded 3-acre site features the rocky shoreline of Lake Superior, a lake that sometimes behaves like the ocean. The 2,000 SF cabin cantilevers out toward the water, with a 40-ft. long glass wall facing the spectacular beauty of the lake. The cabin is composed of two simple volumes: a large open living/dining/kitchen space with an open timber ceiling structure and a 2-story “bedroom tower,” with the kids’ bedroom on the ground floor and the parents’ bedroom stacked above. The interior spaces are wood paneled, with exposed framing in the ceiling. The cabinets use PLYBOO, a FSC-certified bamboo product, with mahogany end panels. The use of mahogany is repeated in the custom mahogany/steel curvilinear dining table and in the custom mahogany coffee table. The cabin has a simple, elemental quality that is enhanced by custom touches such as the curvilinear maple entry screen and the custom furniture pieces. The cabin utilizes native Michigan hardwoods such as maple and birch. The exterior of the cabin is clad in corrugated metal siding, offset by the tall fireplace mass of Montana ledgestone at the east end. The house has a number of sustainable or “green” building features, including 2x8 construction (40% greater insulation value); generous glass areas to provide natural lighting and ventilation; large overhangs for sun and snow protection; and metal siding for maximum durability. Sustainable interior finish materials include bamboo/plywood cabinets, linoleum floors, locally-grown maple flooring and birch paneling, and low-VOC paints.

Vail Ski Haus

Reed Design Group

This is an example of a small country dining room in Denver with brown walls, carpet, no fireplace and grey floor.

Living area

Oakwrights

This is an example of a small country dining room in West Midlands.

Montana Ski-In-Ski-Out Chalet

CENTENNIAL WOODS

Design ideas for a small country kitchen/dining combo in Denver with brown walls, no fireplace and light hardwood floors.

Vacation in the Mountains

Reclaimed DesignWorks

Reclaimed flooring by Reclaimed DesignWorks. Photos by Emily Minton Redfield Photography.
Photo of a small country kitchen/dining combo in Denver with white walls, medium hardwood floors, brown floor and no fireplace.

Lakeland Cottage, Cumbria

User

Inspiration for a small country dining room in Cornwall with beige walls, a wood stove, a plaster fireplace surround and black floor.

Judge

Palmer's Wood Designs

Design ideas for a small country separate dining room in Orlando with white walls, dark hardwood floors, no fireplace and brown floor.

Lenoir Residence

Altura Architects

This home combines function, efficiency and style. The homeowners had a limited budget, so maximizing function while minimizing square footage was critical. We used a fully insulated slab on grade foundation of a conventionally framed air-tight building envelope that gives the house a good baseline for energy efficiency. High efficiency lighting, appliance and HVAC system, including a heat exchanger for fresh air, round out the energy saving measures. Rainwater was collected and retained on site. Working within an older traditional neighborhood has several advantages including close proximity to community amenities and a mature landscape. Our challenge was to create a design that sits well with the early 20th century homes in the area. The resulting solution has a fresh attitude that interprets and reflects the neighborhood’s character rather than mimicking it. Traditional forms and elements merged with a more modern approach. Photography by Todd Crawford

Small Country Dining Room Design Ideas

A country 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 country 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 country 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 country 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!