This is an example of a mid-sized traditional separate dining room in Other with beige walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and a plaster fireplace surround.

Historic District

Lisa Tharp Design

Michael J. Lee Photography for DESIGN NEW ENGLAND magazine
Design ideas for a large traditional separate dining room in Boston with a standard fireplace and a stone fireplace surround.

Colby's Run

Archer & Buchanan Architecture, Ltd.

Photo: Tom Crane Photography
This is an example of a traditional open plan dining in Philadelphia with white walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, brown floor and a stone fireplace surround.

Exquisite Apartment Living

Fabiola Martens Interior Design

Mid-sized traditional separate dining room in DC Metro with a standard fireplace, blue walls, medium hardwood floors, a wood fireplace surround and brown floor.

Handprinted Chinoiserie wallpaper in interior design

NSR HANDCRAFTS

Photo of a traditional separate dining room in Other with multi-coloured walls and a standard fireplace.

Victorian Restoration

Landry & Arcari Rugs and Carpeting

Designer Amanda Reid selected Landry & Arcari rugs for this recent Victorian restoration featured on This Old House on PBS. The goal for the project was to bring the home back to its original Victorian style after a previous owner removed many classic architectural details. Eric Roth

Ashton Woods Dining Rooms

Ashton Woods

Create an elegant dining room with two accent paneled walls and a sophisocated fireplace. Seen in Cobblestone Manor, an Atlanta community.
Large traditional separate dining room in Atlanta with beige walls, dark hardwood floors and a standard fireplace.

Glimpses...

Lisa Hilderbrand - Hilderbrand Interiors

Mid-sized traditional separate dining room in New York with blue walls, medium hardwood floors and a standard fireplace.

Peter Zimmerman Architecture, Griffiths Construction

Tom Crane Photography, Inc.

© Tom Crane
Design ideas for a traditional dining room in Philadelphia with white walls, dark hardwood floors and a standard fireplace.

Traditional New Construction

Morgante Wilson Architects

Werner Straube Photography
Inspiration for a traditional dining room in Chicago with grey walls, dark hardwood floors, a stone fireplace surround and a standard fireplace.

Cedar Bluff

SV Design

Perched atop a bluff overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, this new residence adds a modern twist to the classic Shingle Style. The house is anchored to the land by stone retaining walls made entirely of granite taken from the site during construction. Clad almost entirely in cedar shingles, the house will weather to a classic grey. Photo Credit: Blind Dog Studio

Hamptons

E. Lawrence Design

Design ideas for a large traditional separate dining room in New York with blue walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and a stone fireplace surround.

2012 VHBA - Winter Wonderland of Homes

Bradd W. Syring LLC - Custom Homes

This is an example of a traditional dining room in Other with dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a tile fireplace surround and beige walls.

Roule Mirror Sconces and 9 Light Chandelier Norwell

Norwell Lighting

This is an example of a mid-sized traditional dining room in Chicago with beige walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and a tile fireplace surround.

Salon Paris

MEERO

Design ideas for a mid-sized traditional open plan dining in Paris with white walls, medium hardwood floors and a standard fireplace.

Basement Entertainment

WL Kitchen & Home

Photo of a large traditional dining room in New York with brown walls, porcelain floors, a standard fireplace, a wood fireplace surround and white floor.

Dorset Stable Conversion

VSP Interiors

This is an example of a traditional dining room in Dorset with beige walls, dark hardwood floors and a standard fireplace.

Marlborough Street

Annie Hall Interiors

Michael Lee
Photo of a large traditional separate dining room in Boston with green walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a plaster fireplace surround and brown floor.

General Photos

Peter Dorne Architects

This is an example of a traditional dining room in New York with pink walls, medium hardwood floors and a standard fireplace.

Woodland

Deborah Leamann

Tom Grimes
Design ideas for a traditional dining room in Philadelphia with grey walls and a standard fireplace.

Traditional Dining Room Design Ideas with a Standard Fireplace

A traditional 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 traditional 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 traditional 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 traditional 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!