Photo of a large traditional open plan dining in London with green walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, brown floor, exposed beam and panelled walls.

Dining Room

Shapiro & Company Architects

Traditional separate dining room in Nashville with white walls, no fireplace and panelled walls.

Ault View Classic Dining Room

Winding Lane Interiors

This gorgeous dining room is ready for a party! The colors and design were inspired by the original painting that the homeowner found in a gallery in her beloved New Orleans. 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.

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.

Dollarton Traditional Home

Simply Home Decorating

This active couple with three adult boys loves to travel and visit family throughout Western Canada. They hired us for a main floor renovation that would transform their home, making it more functional, conducive to entertaining, and reflective of their interests. In the kitchen, we chose to keep the layout and update the cabinetry and surface finishes to revive the look. To accommodate large gatherings, we created an in-kitchen dining area, updated the living and dining room, and expanded the family room, as well. In each of these spaces, we incorporated durable custom furnishings, architectural details, and unique accessories that reflect this well-traveled couple’s inspiring story.

Reception Room & Dining Room

Emma Tutill Ltd

Inspiration for a large traditional separate dining room in Essex with beige walls, medium hardwood floors, no fireplace, brown floor and panelled walls.

Historic and Grand Home

Wiles Design Group

This grand and historic home renovation transformed the structure from the ground up, creating a versatile, multifunctional space. Meticulous planning and creative design brought the client's vision to life, optimizing functionality throughout. In the dining room, a captivating blend of dark blue-gray glossy walls and silvered ceiling wallpaper creates an ambience of warmth and luxury. Elegant furniture and stunning lighting complement the space, adding a touch of refined sophistication. --- Project by Wiles Design Group. Their Cedar Rapids-based design studio serves the entire Midwest, including Iowa City, Dubuque, Davenport, and Waterloo, as well as North Missouri and St. Louis. For more about Wiles Design Group, see here: https://wilesdesigngroup.com/ To learn more about this project, see here: https://wilesdesigngroup.com/st-louis-historic-home-renovation

Storage And Open Shelves In Dining Room

Christopher Scott Cabinetry and Design Inc.

Ample storage space combined with open shelving to add display areas make this custom, built-in storage solution the perfect fit for a dining room.
Inspiration for a traditional kitchen/dining combo in Salt Lake City with light hardwood floors, white walls and panelled walls.

The Isam White House - 1904 Colonial Revival

Arciform

Rich and warm, the paneled dining room sets and intimate mood for gatherings.
Photo of a large traditional dining room in Portland with blue walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, brown floor, exposed beam and panelled walls.

Projects

Robert Couturier, Inc.

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

Keene Victorian

ASAP Painting & Finishing LLC

Photo of an expansive traditional open plan dining in Boston with grey walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a wood fireplace surround, brown floor, coffered and panelled walls.

Old Deakin Renovation

Studio Black Interiors

Located in the Canberra suburb of Old Deakin, this established home was originally built in 1951 by Keith Murdoch to house journalists of The Herald and Weekly Times Limited. With a rich history, it has been renovated to maintain its classic character and charm for the new young family that lives there. Renovation by Papas Projects. Photography by Hcreations.

NOËL & MARQUET - PANEL MOULDINGS

NOËL & MARQUET

WL3 WALLSTYL® PANEL MOULDINGS Z13 ARSTYL® PANEL MOULDINGS The versatile panel mouldings from NOËL & MARQUET decorate, shape and embellish your walls by framing, outlining and dividing into fields. They are light and easy to install. Thanks to a primer, they can be painted over immediately and provide excellent protection against shocks thanks to their high material density.

English Countryside Estate

Jonathan Miller Architects

Photo of an expansive traditional separate dining room in Other with white walls, medium hardwood floors, brown floor, exposed beam and panelled walls.

Hamptons Style Design-Build

Anthony James Master Builders, LLC

This custom made butlers pantry and wine center directly off the dining room creates an open space for entertaining.
This is an example of an expansive traditional kitchen/dining combo in Newark with white walls, dark hardwood floors, brown floor, recessed and panelled walls.

Gold Coast Classic

Dan Rak Design

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

Обеденный стол. Консоль.

Студия мебели Архив

Design ideas for a traditional dining room in Saint Petersburg with pink walls, dark hardwood floors, brown floor and panelled walls.

Buckwood Homes - Foxhollow

M.S. Construction Services Inc.

Handcut french parquet floors, installed, sanded wirebrushed and oiled with hardwax oil
Inspiration for a mid-sized traditional open plan dining in Atlanta with metallic walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a concrete fireplace surround, brown floor, recessed and panelled walls.

Dinning 1

Gruebmeyer Builders

Mid-sized traditional kitchen/dining combo in Columbus with blue walls, light hardwood floors, beige floor and panelled walls.

Timeless Traditional Estate

JMA INTERIOR DESIGN

This is an example of a traditional dining room in Other with white walls, dark hardwood floors, brown floor and panelled walls.

Traditional Dining Room Design Ideas with Panelled 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!