Traditional dining room in Chicago with beige walls and black floor.

Matt Clayton Photography
Mid-sized traditional separate dining room in London with white walls, ceramic floors and black floor.

Woolahara Terrace Transformation

Minosa | Design Life Better

A heritage listed home with a modern twist. Provisional details and re imagined to give the space traditional yet modern feel. Mixing the old with the new,.

Urban Elegance

Laura Manchee Designs

This young family wanted a home that was bright, relaxed and clean lined which supported their desire to foster a sense of openness and enhance communication. Graceful style that would be comfortable and timeless was a primary goal.

Timeless Canal House

Ethnic Chic - Home Couture

This is an example of a mid-sized traditional dining room in Amsterdam with pink walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, black floor and wallpaper.

Crisp Architects

Sun Room. Dining Area of Sunroom -Photographer: Rob Karosis
Inspiration for a traditional dining room in New York with slate floors and black floor.

Crocker Highlands Modern Mediterranean

The Home Co.

Marcell Puzsar
This is an example of a mid-sized traditional separate dining room in San Francisco with white walls, dark hardwood floors and black floor.

Buena Vista Deco

Jerry Jacobs Design, Inc.

Booth, and corner bar.
Inspiration for a traditional dining room in Other with white walls, marble floors and black floor.

Luxe Mansion Dining Room

Maraya Interior Design

Long Black dining table with Baccarat lighting and ornate moldings. Comfortable custom chairs in cream upholstery. White, gold and almost black are used in this very large, traditional remodel of an original Landry Group Home, filled with contemporary furniture, modern art and decor. White painted moldings on walls and ceilings, combined with black stained wide plank wood flooring. Very grand spaces, including living room, family room, dining room and music room feature hand knotted rugs in modern light grey, gold and black free form styles. All large rooms, including the master suite, feature white painted fireplace surrounds in carved moldings. Music room is stunning in black venetian plaster and carved white details on the ceiling with burgandy velvet upholstered chairs and a burgandy accented Baccarat Crystal chandelier. All lighting throughout the home, including the stairwell and extra large dining room hold Baccarat lighting fixtures. Master suite is composed of his and her baths, a sitting room divided from the master bedroom by beautiful carved white doors. Guest house shows arched white french doors, ornate gold mirror, and carved crown moldings. All the spaces are comfortable and cozy with warm, soft textures throughout. Project Location: Lake Sherwood, Westlake, California. Project designed by Maraya Interior Design. From their beautiful resort town of Ojai, they serve clients in Montecito, Hope Ranch, Malibu and Calabasas, across the tri-county area of Santa Barbara, Ventura and Los Angeles, south to Hidden Hills.

Mabel's Farmhouse

Design Storey

Inspiration for a mid-sized traditional kitchen/dining combo in Other with limestone floors and black floor.

Hardwood Floors

Palazzi Bros

Photo of a large traditional separate dining room in Toronto with grey walls, dark hardwood floors, a two-sided fireplace, a tile fireplace surround and black floor.

Bamberton

Stockholm Construction Group Ltd.

Mid-sized traditional open plan dining in Vancouver with white walls, marble floors, no fireplace and black floor.

Sherwood Whole Home Remodel & Decor

Design Directions

When Amy and Brandon, hip 30 year old attorneys decided to look for a home with better outdoor living space, closer to restaurants and night spots, their search landed them on a house with the perfect outdoor oasis. Unfortunately, it came with an interior that was a mish mash of 50’s, 60’s and 70’s design. Having already taken on a DIY remodel on their own, they weren’t interested in going through the stress and frustration of one again. They were resolute on hiring an expert designer and contractor to renovate their new home. The completed renovation features sleek black cabinetry, rich ebony floors, bold geometric tile in the bath, gold hardware and lighting that together, create a fresh and modern take on traditional style. Thoughtfully designed cabinetry packs this modest sized kitchen with more cabinetry & features than some kitchens twice it’s size, including two spacious islands. Choosing not to use upper cabinets on one wall was a design choice that allowed us to feature an expanse of pure white quartz as the backdrop for the kitchens curvy hood and spikey gold sconces. A mix of high end furniture, finishes and lighting all came together to create just the right mix to lend a 21st century vibe to this quaint traditional home.

Hardwood floors and a mini chandelier

Aiden's Quality Painting

Design ideas for a traditional dining room in San Francisco with beige walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and black floor.

Stockbridge, Edinburgh

Peden & Pringle Ltd

Design ideas for a mid-sized traditional dining room in Other with limestone floors and black floor.

Hamilton Hill project

Highgate House

This is an example of a traditional open plan dining in Brisbane with white walls, dark hardwood floors and black floor.

D I V O N N E

Atelier Caroline Durst

Rénovation complète d’un appartement en rez-de-chaussée pour une résidence secondaire. D’une superficie totale de 145m2, les volumes sont redistribués et optimisés en fonction des éléments techniques existants. En collaboration avec une architecte. Année du projet : 2016 Coût du projet : 100 001 - 250 000 € Pays : France Code postal : 01220 Crédit Photo : Caroline Durst

Tanglewood - The Portsmouth Model

Van Metre Homes

Inspiration for a traditional separate dining room in DC Metro with blue walls, dark hardwood floors, no fireplace and black floor.

Dining Rooms 1

Charlton Furniture Co Inc.

Canal Dover Chateau
Design ideas for a large traditional kitchen/dining combo in Boston with grey walls, ceramic floors, no fireplace and black floor.

North Shore Villa

Lauren Coburn LLC

This is an example of a large traditional separate dining room in Chicago with white walls, dark hardwood floors, no fireplace and black floor.

Traditional Dining Room Design Ideas with Black Floor

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!