Traditional New England style home with a coastal feel
Design ideas for a mid-sized traditional separate dining room in Orange County with blue walls and carpet.

maple-bluff-post-war-colonial-to-neighborhood-delight-remodel

Architectural Building Arts, Inc.

Photography by Joe DeMaio
Photo of a mid-sized traditional open plan dining in Other with blue walls, light hardwood floors, no fireplace and brown floor.

A Warm Welcome

TKS Design Group

Download our free ebook, Creating the Ideal Kitchen. DOWNLOAD NOW The homeowner and his wife had lived in this beautiful townhome in Oak Brook overlooking a small lake for over 13 years. The home is open and airy with vaulted ceilings and full of mementos from world adventures through the years, including to Cambodia, home of their much-adored sponsored daughter. The home, full of love and memories was host to a growing extended family of children and grandchildren. This was THE place. When the homeowner’s wife passed away suddenly and unexpectedly, he became determined to create a space that would continue to welcome and host his family and the many wonderful family memories that lay ahead but with an eye towards functionality. We started out by evaluating how the space would be used. Cooking and watching sports were key factors. So, we shuffled the current dining table into a rarely used living room whereby enlarging the kitchen. The kitchen now houses two large islands – one for prep and the other for seating and buffet space. We removed the wall between kitchen and family room to encourage interaction during family gatherings and of course a clear view to the game on TV. We also removed a dropped ceiling in the kitchen, and wow, what a difference. Next, we added some drama with a large arch between kitchen and dining room creating a stunning architectural feature between those two spaces. This arch echoes the shape of the large arch at the front door of the townhome, providing drama and significance to the space. The kitchen itself is large but does not have much wall space, which is a common challenge when removing walls. We added a bit more by resizing the double French doors to a balcony at the side of the house which is now just a single door. This gave more breathing room to the range wall and large stone hood but still provides access and light. We chose a neutral pallet of black, white, and white oak, with punches of blue at the counter stools in the kitchen. The cabinetry features a white shaker door at the perimeter for a crisp outline. Countertops and custom hood are black Caesarstone, and the islands are a soft white oak adding contrast and warmth. Two large built ins between the kitchen and dining room function as pantry space as well as area to display flowers or seasonal decorations. We repeated the blue in the dining room where we added a fresh coat of paint to the existing built ins, along with painted wainscot paneling. Above the wainscot is a neutral grass cloth wallpaper which provides a lovely backdrop for a wall of important mementos and artifacts. The dining room table and chairs were refinished and re-upholstered, and a new rug and window treatments complete the space. The room now feels ready to host more formal gatherings or can function as a quiet spot to enjoy a cup of morning coffee.

Atherton Renovation

Supple Homes, Inc

This is an example of a traditional kitchen/dining combo in San Francisco with blue walls, dark hardwood floors and decorative wall panelling.

Brookhaven Interior Design

Kristin Drohan Collection and Interior Design

Photo of a mid-sized traditional separate dining room in Atlanta with blue walls and dark hardwood floors.

Woodlands First Floor Remodel

Sneller Custom Homes and Remodeling, LLC

Mike Kaskel
This is an example of a traditional dining room in Houston with blue walls.

French Country Renovation

Alto Design

Jeffrey Jakucyk: Photographer
Design ideas for a mid-sized traditional separate dining room in Cincinnati with blue walls, light hardwood floors, no fireplace and brown floor.

Custom Home - Cape Cod

Cutting Edge Homes Inc.

Photo: Patrick O'Malley
Mid-sized traditional dining room in Boston with blue walls, dark hardwood floors and no fireplace.

City Farmhouse

Jones & Boer Architects, Inc.

Photo of a traditional open plan dining in DC Metro with dark hardwood floors, blue walls and no fireplace.

SW Vista

Nifelle Design - Fine Interiors

Westchester Renovation

Daniel Contelmo Architects

New paneled white wainscoting surrounds the dining room, while french doors provide access to the deck. The exterior of this renovation was featured in the April 2013 issue of Better Homes and Gardens.

Modern Farmhouse Remodel

Kim Kendall Interiors

Mid-sized traditional kitchen/dining combo in DC Metro with blue walls, medium hardwood floors, no fireplace and brown floor.

Grosse Pointe, Lakeshore Home

Scott Shuptrine Interiors

This beautiful home in Grosse Pointe was completely furnished with furniture from Scott Shuptrine Interiors, which has locations in Grand Rapids, Royal Oak, Novi, Petoskey and soon in Grosse Pointe. Michelle Mio designed the spaces, which were styled by Scott Shuptrine Interiors. Photos: Beth Singer.

New Canaan Shingle Style

Michael Smith Architects

Laura Moss
Inspiration for a large traditional dining room in New York with blue walls and medium hardwood floors.

Traditional Dining Room

Hive Home

Blue and white dining room with colorful settee and bench. Grasscloth, sisal, cane and velvet work together to create a layered textured room.
This is an example of a large traditional separate dining room in Los Angeles with blue walls, dark hardwood floors, brown floor and no fireplace.

Ansley Park Dining Room

Friday and Genter Interior Design

This is an example of a large traditional kitchen/dining combo in Atlanta with medium hardwood floors, blue walls, no fireplace and brown floor.

THREE DOG FARM

Hutch Johnson WHJ Design

Design ideas for a large traditional dining room in Raleigh with blue walls and medium hardwood floors.

World Travelers Abode

Katie Leede & Company Studio

This is an example of a mid-sized traditional separate dining room in New York with blue walls and medium hardwood floors.

Norwood Cottage Design

Edgewater Design Group

Our clients were relocating from the upper peninsula to the lower peninsula and wanted to design a retirement home on their Lake Michigan property. The topography of their lot allowed for a walk out basement which is practically unheard of with how close they are to the water. Their view is fantastic, and the goal was of course to take advantage of the view from all three levels. The positioning of the windows on the main and upper levels is such that you feel as if you are on a boat, water as far as the eye can see. They were striving for a Hamptons / Coastal, casual, architectural style. The finished product is just over 6,200 square feet and includes 2 master suites, 2 guest bedrooms, 5 bathrooms, sunroom, home bar, home gym, dedicated seasonal gear / equipment storage, table tennis game room, sauna, and bonus room above the attached garage. All the exterior finishes are low maintenance, vinyl, and composite materials to withstand the blowing sands from the Lake Michigan shoreline.

Charlotte, NC Home

LGB Interiors

Robert Clark Photography
Design ideas for a traditional dining room in Other with blue walls and dark hardwood floors.

Traditional Dining Room Design Ideas with Blue Walls

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!