Traditional separate dining room in Boston with grey walls, dark hardwood floors and brown floor.

A transitional dining room, where we incorporated the clients' antique dining table and paired it up with chairs that are a mix of upholstery and wooden accents. A traditional navy and cream rug anchors the furniture, and dark gray walls with accents of brass, mirror and some color in the artwork and accessories pull the space together.

Old Westbury Neoclassical

Chango

The walls of this formal dining room have all been paneled and painted a crisp white to set off the stark gray used on the upper part of the walls, above the paneling. Ceilings are coffered and a dramatic large pendant lamp is placed centered in the paneled ceiling. A silk light grey rug sits proud under a 12' wide custom dining table. Reclaimed wood planks from Canada and an industrial steel base harden the soft lines of the room and provide a bit of whimsy. Dining benches sit on one side of the table, and four leather and nail head studded chairs flank the other side. The table comfortably sits a party of 12.

Elegant Retrohemian Chateau

Mary Hannah Interiors

This formal dining room embodies French grandeur with a modern traditional feel. From the elegant chandelier to the expansive French and German china collection, we considered the clients style and prized possessions in updating this space with the purpose of gathering and entertaining.

Traditional Dining Room

Mid-sized traditional separate dining room in Atlanta with grey walls, dark hardwood floors and no fireplace.

Ascot

Burbeck Interiors ltd

Design ideas for a mid-sized traditional separate dining room in London with beige walls, light hardwood floors and a standard fireplace.

Newtown Square Custom Home

Henck Design LLC

We highlighted the architecture with carefully selected paint colors for tray ceilings, c-scrolls on the stair tread skirt boards and millwork throughout the home. Cool blues and oatmeal upholstered dining chairs enhance the softness of this cozy and traditional dining room.

MacArthur Project

Casa Perfecta Inc

Photography by Stephani Buchman
Design ideas for a mid-sized traditional separate dining room in Toronto with grey walls, dark hardwood floors, brown floor and no fireplace.

Cape Cod

MacMillan-Pace, LLC

This is an example of a mid-sized traditional separate dining room in Other with beige walls, dark hardwood floors and brown floor.

Red Oak Common #1. | Solid Hardwood 3 1/4"

Tri Point Flooring

Red Oak Common #1. 3/4" x 3 1/4" Solid Hardwood. Stain: Special Walnut Sealer: Bona AmberSeal Poly: Bona Mega HD Satin
Inspiration for a mid-sized traditional separate dining room in Raleigh with grey walls, medium hardwood floors, no fireplace and brown floor.

Hand Crafted Ceiling Beams

Historic Flooring LLC

Photos are of one of our customers' finished project. We did over 90 beams for use throughout their home :) When choosing beams for your project, there are many things to think about. One important consideration is the weight of the beam, especially if you want to affix it to your ceiling. Choosing a solid beam may not be the best choice since some of them can weigh upwards of 1000 lbs. Our craftsmen have several solutions for this common problem. One such solution is to fabricate a ceiling beam using veneer that is "sliced" from the outside of an existing beam. Our craftsmen then carefully miter the edges and create a lighter weight, 3 sided solution. Another common method is "hogging out" the beam. We hollow out the beam leaving the original outer character of three sides intact. (Hogging out is a good method to use when one side of the beam is less than attractive.) Our 3-sided and Hogged out beams are available in Reclaimed or Old Growth woods.

Villa di prestigio con giardino

Santa Tecla Immobiliare

La sala da pranzo
Design ideas for a large traditional separate dining room in Milan with a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace surround and medium hardwood floors.

Webster Groves Charmer

Joni Spear Interior Design

Modern twist on a traditional dining room
This is an example of a mid-sized traditional separate dining room in St Louis with medium hardwood floors, blue walls, no fireplace and brown floor.

Ida J. McCausland interior design

MIKE IRBY PHOTOGRAPHY

Mike Irby Photography
This is an example of a traditional separate dining room in Philadelphia with blue walls and light hardwood floors.

Traditional Custom Home

Alto Design

Stephanie Johnson, architect. Jeffrey Jakucyk, photographer. David A Millett, interiors.
Photo of a mid-sized traditional separate dining room in Cincinnati with beige walls, dark hardwood floors and no fireplace.

Cheviot Hills

Jackson Paige Interiors, Inc.

Erika Bierman
This is an example of a traditional separate dining room in Los Angeles with multi-coloured walls and medium hardwood floors.

Lincoln Park - Fremont

Middlefork Development LLC

This unique city-home is designed with a center entry, flanked by formal living and dining rooms on either side. An expansive gourmet kitchen / great room spans the rear of the main floor, opening onto a terraced outdoor space comprised of more than 700SF. The home also boasts an open, four-story staircase flooded with natural, southern light, as well as a lower level family room, four bedrooms (including two en-suite) on the second floor, and an additional two bedrooms and study on the third floor. A spacious, 500SF roof deck is accessible from the top of the staircase, providing additional outdoor space for play and entertainment. Due to the location and shape of the site, there is a 2-car, heated garage under the house, providing direct entry from the garage into the lower level mudroom. Two additional off-street parking spots are also provided in the covered driveway leading to the garage. Designed with family living in mind, the home has also been designed for entertaining and to embrace life's creature comforts. Pre-wired with HD Video, Audio and comprehensive low-voltage services, the home is able to accommodate and distribute any low voltage services requested by the homeowner. This home was pre-sold during construction. Steve Hall, Hedrich Blessing

Bridgetown in Wexford Plantation

William Byrd Homes

Gorgeous Remodel- We remodeled the 1st Floor of this beautiful water front home in Wexford Plantation, on Hilton Head Island, SC. We added a new pool and spa in the rear of the home overlooking the scenic harbor. The marble, onyx and tile work are incredible!

Greenwich Waterfront Shingle

VanderHorn Architects

This Dining Room continues the coastal aesthetic of the home with paneled walls and a projecting rectangular bay with access to the outdoor entertainment spaces beyond.

Bedford, New York Interior

Debra Kling Colour Consultant

Denison Lourenco
Photo of a mid-sized traditional separate dining room in New York with blue walls and carpet.

Traditional Separate Dining Room 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!