Michael Baxley
Photo of a large traditional open plan dining in Little Rock with white walls, medium hardwood floors and no fireplace.

Lovely in La Jolla

Margaret Dean at Design Studio West

Built in hutch designed by Margaret Dean, Design Studio West and supplied by Rutt Custom Cabinetry. Lighting and furniture by homeowner. Floor was existing and refinished.

Dining Room

Michael Abrams Interiors

Design ideas for a traditional open plan dining in Chicago with blue walls and brown floor.

Un intérieur doux et intemporel - Projet Iena

Mon Concept Habitation

Après plusieurs visites d'appartement, nos clients décident d'orienter leurs recherches vers un bien à rénover afin de pouvoir personnaliser leur futur foyer. Leur premier achat va se porter sur ce charmant 80 m2 situé au cœur de Paris. Souhaitant créer un bien intemporel, ils travaillent avec nos architectes sur des couleurs nudes, terracota et des touches boisées. Le blanc est également au RDV afin d'accentuer la luminosité de l'appartement qui est sur cour. La cuisine a fait l'objet d'une optimisation pour obtenir une profondeur de 60cm et installer ainsi sur toute la longueur et la hauteur les rangements nécessaires pour être ultra-fonctionnelle. Elle se ferme par une élégante porte art déco dessinée par les architectes. Dans les chambres, les rangements se multiplient ! Nous avons cloisonné des portes inutiles qui sont changées en bibliothèque; dans la suite parentale, nos experts ont créé une tête de lit sur-mesure et ajusté un dressing Ikea qui s'élève à présent jusqu'au plafond. Bien qu'intemporel, ce bien n'en est pas moins singulier. A titre d'exemple, la salle de bain qui est un clin d'œil aux lavabos d'école ou encore le salon et son mur tapissé de petites feuilles dorées.

House Beautiful featured Luxury Remodel of Classic Palmolive Condo

Summer Thornton Design, Inc

Inspiration for a mid-sized traditional open plan dining in Chicago with multi-coloured walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a tile fireplace surround and brown floor.

Southern Fairfax County

Village and Coast, LLC

Thick white moulding and wainscoting make this modern space harken its colonial roots. Tall red curtains make the 9 foot ceilings appear even taller. A refinished bright brass builder grade chandelier with a coat of paint and red linen shades adds big elegance for little cost. Huge mango wood table seats 10 with bench seating and historic refinished chairs from West Point Military Academy for a unique mix and match look. Geometric red and blue rug adds a pop of fun!

Breakfast Area

Windstone Partners

This kitchen contains a mixture of traditional southern charm and contemporary selections, with the design of the doorways and the built in antique hutches, paired with the built-in breakfast bench and cabinetry.

Washington, DC Victorian Remodel

FineCraft Contractors, Inc.

Finecraft Contractors, Inc. Soleimani Photography
Photo of a mid-sized traditional open plan dining in DC Metro with beige walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a wood fireplace surround and brown floor.

Traditional Dining Room

Photo of a traditional open plan dining in London with carpet and beige walls.

Whole Rooms

Works From Wood

This is an example of a large traditional open plan dining in Cincinnati with beige walls and medium hardwood floors.

The Farrand

Shoreline Construction and Development

Photo of a mid-sized traditional open plan dining in Charleston with medium hardwood floors, blue walls, no fireplace and brown floor.

Orange Park Acres Dining Room

Beth Whitlinger Interior Design

The homeowner of this ranch style home in Orange Park Acres wanted the Kitchen Breakfast Nook to become a large informal Dining Room that was an extension of the new Great Room. A new painted limestone effect on the used brick fireplace sets the tone for a lighter, more open and airy space. Using a bench for part of the seating helps to eliminate crowding and give a place for the grandkids to sit that can handle sticky hands. Custom designed dining chairs in a heavy duty velvet add to the luxurious feeling of the room and can be used in the adjacent Great Room for additional seating. A heavy dark iron chandelier was replaced with the lovely fixture that was hanging in another room; it's pale tones perfect for the new scheme. The window seat cushions were updated in a serviceable ostrich print taupe vinyl enhanced by rich cut velvet brocade and metallic woven pillows, making it a perfect place to sit and enjoy the outdoors. Photo by Anthony Gomez.

KH Window Fashions, Inc.

KH Window Fashions, Inc., French country style window treatments, toile fabric Roman Shades, Linen fabric pleated panels with decorative trim. Visit our gallery on our website: www.KHWindowFashions.com

Mallets Bay Shingle

Birdseye Design

Design ideas for a mid-sized traditional open plan dining in Burlington with beige walls and medium hardwood floors.

Thousand Oaks Residence

Carte Blanche Studio

Photo of an expansive traditional open plan dining in Los Angeles with white walls, marble floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, grey floor, vaulted and wallpaper.

Doppelhaus Kleestraße - Essbereich

Splietker Bau GmbH & Co. KG

Essbereich mit großem Sitzfenster
This is an example of a mid-sized traditional open plan dining in Other with white walls, light hardwood floors and brown floor.

Maple Valley Custom Home

Concept Builders, Inc.

Custom Designed Home by Concept Builders, Inc.
Photo of a large traditional open plan dining in Seattle with grey walls and dark hardwood floors.

Four Season Affair

Richard Krynicki Residential Design

Inspiration for a mid-sized traditional open plan dining in Other with grey walls, dark hardwood floors, no fireplace and brown floor.

Fairway Island

Mariana Savage Design

Photography by Carlos Molejon
Large traditional open plan dining in Miami with grey walls and medium hardwood floors.

Townhouse Living near Historic Annapolis

Designline

Open bookshelves create a cozy atmosphere in the small dining room and a collection of antique blue and white Canton china adds color to an otherwise neutral room. The dining table was created from a metal pedestal base from a restaurant supply source with a 42" diameter plywood top. An alternate 54" diameter plywood with its own skirt will allow seating for six guests. In addition to the books and china, the shelves display some of the owner's collection of antique wood boxes, architectural fragments, family photos and a furniture mold. Photo by Lisa Banting

Traditional Open Plan Dining Design Ideas

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!