Werner Straube Photography
Photo of a mid-sized transitional kitchen/dining combo in Chicago with white walls, dark hardwood floors, brown floor, recessed and panelled walls.

South Lamar New Build

CG&S Design-Build

Photographed by Andrea Calo 2018
Transitional kitchen/dining combo in Austin with white walls, medium hardwood floors, no fireplace, brown floor and wood.

Oak Tree Renovation

Morris Lare

This is an example of a mid-sized transitional separate dining room in Other with grey walls, light hardwood floors and recessed.

Teaberry Way

Century Park Interiors

This is an example of an expansive transitional separate dining room in Atlanta with grey walls, bamboo floors, vaulted and decorative wall panelling.

Turtle Lake Contemporary

Tutto Interiors

Photo of a large transitional separate dining room in Detroit with grey walls, light hardwood floors, brown floor, recessed and wallpaper.

Glamorous Kitchen, Dining and Living Renovation with Entertaining in Mind

Corinthian Fine Homes

This young family began working with us after struggling with their previous contractor. They were over budget and not achieving what they really needed with the addition they were proposing. Rather than extend the existing footprint of their house as had been suggested, we proposed completely changing the orientation of their separate kitchen, living room, dining room, and sunroom and opening it all up to an open floor plan. By changing the configuration of doors and windows to better suit the new layout and sight lines, we were able to improve the views of their beautiful backyard and increase the natural light allowed into the spaces. We raised the floor in the sunroom to allow for a level cohesive floor throughout the areas. Their extended kitchen now has a nice sitting area within the kitchen to allow for conversation with friends and family during meal prep and entertaining. The sitting area opens to a full dining room with built in buffet and hutch that functions as a serving station. Conscious thought was given that all “permanent” selections such as cabinetry and countertops were designed to suit the masses, with a splash of this homeowner’s individual style in the double herringbone soft gray tile of the backsplash, the mitred edge of the island countertop, and the mixture of metals in the plumbing and lighting fixtures. Careful consideration was given to the function of each cabinet and organization and storage was maximized. This family is now able to entertain their extended family with seating for 18 and not only enjoy entertaining in a space that feels open and inviting, but also enjoy sitting down as a family for the simple pleasure of supper together.

Bluff Overlook

AOME Architects

The dining table lays at the intersection of the great room and entry axis, creating a primary focus of sharing food with family and guests. // Image : Benjamin Benschneider Photography

Lower Deer Valley Lakeside

Kristina Lawrence Interior Design

Inspiration for a small transitional kitchen/dining combo in Salt Lake City with white walls, dark hardwood floors, brown floor and vaulted.

#ProjectCanIHaveThat

THELIFESTYLEDCO®

This is an example of a transitional open plan dining in Phoenix with white walls, light hardwood floors, beige floor and exposed beam.

Historical Luxe

Whimsily

Design ideas for a mid-sized transitional kitchen/dining combo in DC Metro with medium hardwood floors, brown floor, wallpaper and black walls.

Grand San Antonio Kitchen

Casa Vilora Interiors

Full gut of an old tuscan style kitchen from the early 2000's. We wanted a unique but timeless design. We completely redesigned the layout of the kitchen to accommodate two islands, removing a wall on the left side. We custom designed reeded cabinets in white oak, quartzite countertop, custom plaster hood, zellige tile backsplash with the right amount of shimmer

Mountain Lakes Historical Home - Dining Room

Grayscale Homes Designs

Photo of a mid-sized transitional open plan dining in New York with blue walls, medium hardwood floors, brown floor, coffered and panelled walls.

Hammock Dunes beauty

nFlight Photography

Inspiration for a transitional open plan dining in Jacksonville with beige walls, medium hardwood floors, brown floor and coffered.

The Apple Project

TK Building & Design

Entertaining is a large part of these client's life. Their existing dining room, while nice, couldn't host a large party. The original dining room was extended 16' to create a large entertaining space, complete with a built in bar area. Floor to ceiling windows and plenty of lighting throughout keeps the space nice and bright. The bar includes a custom stained wine rack, pull out trays for liquor, sink, wine fridge, and plenty of storage space for extras. The homeowner even built his own table on site to make sure it would fit the space as best as it could.

Poco Calle

K and Q Interiors

dining room with custom upholstered chairs, natural grey wood dining table, white and gold buffet, two chandeliers, buffet lamps, shiplap, bold fabrics, black and white, floating shelves, wainscoting, ceiling coffers and herringbone oak floors

Kitchen and Master Bathroom Remodel, Seattle

Armada Design & Build

Design ideas for a transitional open plan dining in Seattle with blue walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace surround, brown floor, timber and vaulted.

Artistry Palm Beach - Hudson Model Dining Room

Masterpiece Design Group

A white kitchen is always a timeless classy choice. The decorative pendants and barstools add a modern edge to the overall design. We love the beaded pendants over the dining room table which not only adds interest but brings your eye upwards to our ceiling tray.

столовая

BERNIDESIGN

фотограф: Сергей Красюк
This is an example of a transitional dining room in Other with white walls, brown floor and vaulted.

Lantern House on the River

Cannarsa Structure and Design

Transitional kitchen/dining combo in Grand Rapids with grey walls, dark hardwood floors, brown floor, vaulted and wallpaper.

Maplewood Classic Colonial

Danielle Rose Design Co.

We renovated and updated this classic colonial home to feel timeless, curated, sun-filled, and tranquil. We used a dreamy color story of grays, creams, blues, and blacks throughout the space to tie each room together. We also used a mixture of metals and natural materials throughout the design to add eclectic elements to the design and make the whole home feel thoughtful, layered and connected. In the entryway, we wanted to create a serious 'wow' moment. We wanted this space to feel open, airy, and super functional. We used the wood and marble console table to create a beautiful moment when you walk in the door, that can be utilized as a 'catch-all' by the whole family — you can't beat that stunning staircase backdrop! The dining room is one of my favorite spaces in the whole home. I love the way the cased opening frames the room from the entry — It is a serious showstopper! I also love how the light floods into this room and makes the white linen drapes look so dreamy! We used a large farmhouse-style, wood table as the focal point in the room and a beautiful brass lantern chandelier above. The table is over 8' long and feels substantial in the room. We used gray linen host chairs at the head of the table to contrast the warm brown tones in the table and bistro chairs.

All Ceiling Designs Transitional Dining Room Design Ideas

A transitional 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 transitional 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 transitional 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 transitional 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!